Will, If you already have a 220 volt, 20 amp circuit it should have a 6-20R
receptacle. The 30 amp plugs are bigger which judging by the prongs of the
plug in your fingers is what you have.



"Will Godfrey" wrote in message
news:2008043020180575249-boots4bears@charternet...
Thanks everyone for your help. Looking at the plug is an excellent idea.

Here's a photo of it: http://www.webster.edu/~godfreyw/files/P1010199.JPG

Comparing it to http://www.nooutage.com/nema_configurations.htm , it
appears that it will require an outlet, wire, and breaker rated for 30
amps. Does anyone think think plug might be intended for the 20-amp 5-20R
or 6-20R outlets shown in the outlet diagrams?

Thanks again!

Will

On 2008-04-30 19:13:09 -0500, Tony Hwang said:

bud-- wrote:
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.

Hi,
Looking at the spec. of the unit, 20Amp breaker with 2-12 wire is proper.
Too big a breaker won't give good protection. When it supposes to trip
it won't.