Thread: AC Disconnect
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Bedford Guy
 
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Default AC Disconnect


"volts500" wrote in message
ups.com...

Bedford Guy wrote:
I have a 26 year old, rusted to hell, dog ugly, and likely dangerous
Federal
Pacific AC disconnect with a non-fused 60A breaker.

What I would like to do is replace this disconnect panel with 100 amp 6
space exterior panel with a 60A breaker for the AC, and use one of the
other
spaces for a 20A GFI protected 110 circuit.

Anyone see a problem with my idea?


That circuit is dedicated for the AC condensing unit only. If you look
closely at the wire inside the disconnect you'll probably find a 10-2
with ground. As others have stated a neutral is not present for the
110. If you look in the main service panel you'll also probably find
that it's on a 30 amp breaker. The 60 amp disconnect is a disconnect
only. It's a common installation. In other words, you can't do what
you propose. One solution would be to come out the back of an interior
outlet in that area or, preferably, run a new circuit.


Reply to cover all the questions........
The main service panel was a 200A FPE with Stab-Lok's when we bought the
home. It was instantly
replaced with a 200A Square D Homeline series, BEFORE I would sleep in the
house. Replaced the meter
enclosure at the same time.

I have also gone thru the entire house and swapped out all of the switches,
receptacles, lighting fixtures,
cleaned all connections, and used fresh wire nuts. The available junctions
boxes have also been opened,
inspected, and fresh connections made. All receptacles now test correctly
for proper ground and neutral.

Oddly enough.... This entire home is wired with 12 ga., not a strand of 14
to be found. Someone must have
had a stack of 12 ga. in stock, or the original builder was a bit twisted.
They went to a lot of extra work as
a result. (no back stab connections)

The wire to the AC disconnect is in fact 10-2 with ground, no neutral.....
I'll just replace the disconnect, and waterproof conduit to the unit.
Going for a new circuit for the 110.
Thank y'all