On 11/3/2013 5:35 PM, Pete C. wrote:
wrote:
On Sun, 03 Nov 2013 15:56:54 -0500, "Pete
wrote:
woodchucker wrote:
On 11/2/2013 12:26 PM, Stormin Mormon wrote:

Definetly not to code. That 14-2 wire is 15 amp, your 50amp range means
that the breaker would never trip.

--
Jeff

No different than the 18ga zip cord from your table lamp to the 15A
receptacle possibly on a 20A circuit - the breaker will never trip. The
circuit breaker in the panel is sized to protect the circuit wiring,
*not* the appliance that may be plugged into the receptacle.

Wrong! Code doesn't cover your "18ga zip cord"; beyond its scope. The
outlet is part of the "wiring". It *is* covered by the fire code.

A #18 cord on a 20A circuit can carry enough current to trip a breaker
on a fault, and is not likely to be damaged by the fault current (if the
supply breaker trips). That is why #18 wire is allowed.

A #18 cord on a 50A circuit will get 6x the heat from a fault if the
breaker trips as fast (and it won't trip as fast).

The size of the wire goes up as the circuit capacity increases.


If I put a 50A plug on the cordset to my A/C and plug it into that 50A
circuit it's entirely to code.

UL regulations cover the air conditioner cordset and plug that are allowed.

UL will not allow a 50A plug on your 15A air conditioner. If you replace
the plug with a 50A one the air conditioner is no longer UL listed.

If you read the instructions for the air conditioner it will, in all
probability, give you the maximum rating for the circuit the air
conditioner can be connected to. (May also be on the label on the air
conditioner.) For a 15A air condtioner that will not be 50A.

UL sizes the cord and internal components based on the circuit amp
capacity. If the air conditioner was intended for a 50A circuit it would
not have the cord that is installed on a 15A air conditioner.

The permanent wiring and receptacle are
appropriately protected by their 50A breaker, and the cordset to my A/C
is protected by it's internal circuit breaker.

It is a violation of the UL listing. The air conditioner is no longer UL
listed.

That means it is a code violation.
240.5 Protection of flexible cords...
"(1) Supply Cord of a Listed Appliance....
Where flexible cord... is approved for and used with a specific listed
appliance..., it shall be considered to be protected when applied within
the appliance... listing requirements."

UL and the NEC work together.

The branch circuit device also protects the air conditioner.

There is no code
requirement that an appliance must utilize the full Ampacity of the
circuit it's plugged into.

Irrelevant.