John Grabowski wrote:

"Will Godfrey" wrote in message
news:2008042921532416807-boots4bears@charternet...
Hello,

I have a dedicated outlet for a 220V window air conditioner that is
connected to the main panel with 12-gauge wire and a 20-amp fuse. The
label on the air conditioner says "Cooling Amps 15.0/16/5," which
would lead me to believe that the wire is sufficient for the load.
But, the label also says "use time delay fuse or circuit breaker 30
amp." If a 30-amp fuse is required, does this mean that I need to
replace the wire with 10-gauge?

Here's the entire label from the unit:
Frigidare Gallery air conditoner
Model # FAS295J2A4
Serial # JK22068612
Volts 230/208
Cooling Amps 15.0/16.5
Cooling Watts 3365 3300
Cooling EER DOE 8.5/8.5
BTU 28,500
use time delay fuse or circuit breaker 30 amp

Thanks for your help!
Will


What kind of plug is on the cord? Is it a 30 amp plug or a 20 amp plug?
Check here for compatibility:
http://www.nooutage.com/nema_configurations.htm

Checking the plug is a good idea. If the manufacturer wants a 30A
breaker there should be a 30A plug and the circuit should be #10 with
30A breaker.

All residential circuit breakers are time delay. I never figured out how
HACR breakers differ from 'normal' breakers.

As others have said, the 230V rating is 15A and that is actually OK for
#12. If the A/C was hard wired you could use a 30A breaker with #12 wire
- one of the intricacies of the code. But not for a plug-in.

As others have said, on a 20A breaker the A/C should run OK but may trip
the breaker when it starts.

--
bud--