On Sat, 02 Aug 2014 00:40:28 -0400, wrote:

On Fri, 01 Aug 2014 23:34:13 -0400, wrote:

On Fri, 01 Aug 2014 00:32:34 -0400, wrote:

On Thu, 31 Jul 2014 20:25:57 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

SMZ42H46ZOGX

When I look this up I do see where the manual says you need 6 ga wire
but it also says "Minimum circuit ampacity 26a" which would be 10
gauge copper according to the NEC. It really sounds like the chinese
book writer does not understand the electrical code.

Does the label on the outside unit say "26a" on the minimum circuit
ampacity line?
Maximum over current protection probably says "50a"
26 amps is more than 80% of 30 amps. Generally a circuit should not
excede 80% of the circuit protection rating (fuse or breaker - and I
assume wiring).

That is not what the label says or what it means.
If you look at the U/L marking guide, you will see the 80% is built
into that "minimum circuit ampacity"
I bet the design FLA is more like 19-20a and the actual max you would
ever read with an amp probe is more like 15-16 in normal operation
They say strange numbers like "26a" to keep you out of 12ga which is
rated for 25a in the 60 and 75c column.
The marking guide and the label itself is clearly saying 10 ga copper.

Also, if I remember and read correctly, the
specification is for a "stranded" wire - which "generally" should be
sized up 1 size.

Cite that.
Table 310-16 does not make that distinction
Where did I say code required it? I said it "generally should" - and
I'll stick to that. I like to see stranded power cords for high
amperage applications - like Generators and table saws- upsized one
size over what I would use with solid copper.