Boden wrote:
Tony Hwang wrote:
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.

Looking at the spec: "use time delay fuse or circuit breaker 30 amp"
If that is what the nameplate or manufacturer says the code requires a
30A circuit. One can guess that the A/C will trip a 20A breaker when it
starts.

The purpose of the breaker is to protect the wire from excessive
current. So long as the wire gauge and breaker capacity are matched
properly the size of the load is immaterial.

But not the way it is done for hard wired motors.

--
bud--