The high-voltage wires have two insulated power wires and one bare copper ground wire. Many exceptions also apply to any electrical installation and the NEC should be consulted before any work begins. # 6 AWG is rated only for 40 amps. A guide to home electrical circuit breakers and how they work to protect your electrical wiring. 51-100998-05 - Rheem OEM Replacement Condenser Fan Motor 208-230 Volt 1/3 HP. I would put a 40amp breaker on #10 copper if it has 90 C rated THHN/THWN/XHHW insulation. Electrical Wire for the Home How to Solder an AC Condenser By Jerry Walch Things You'll Need. Kevin,  you should not use 12/2 cable for this circuit because it will be too small because the circuit will be limited to 20 amps and the 18.9 amps required for this load is over 80 percent of the rated load for the 20 amp circuit. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our cookie policy unless you have disabled them. as q22o etc. It is for the wire to my air conditioning unit. The other 2 wires supply the 220 VAC to the condenser. Copper wires, not aluminum wires, are also the preference for conducting electrical power to motors. MAPP Turbo-Torch, auto-lighting. Electrical Question: I need a 2 pole 20 amp breaker for my panel box. Electrical Wiring Protection using Circuit Breakers Full-shrouded 10-inch fan with 12-volt torque/low amperage draw motor, provides efficient heat transfer. Can you please tell me what is the proper breaker for me to use. NEC Table 310-16. Silver soldering the copper lines to an air conditioner's condenser unit is not rocket science, but it does require attention to detail. Answered in 41 minutes by: 5/1/2014. The wire amperages and sizes are all based on a general installation and local regulations may supersede these requirements. Electrical Troubleshooting tips for an Air Conditioner: I need a 2 pole 20 amp breaker for my panel box, It is for the wire to my air conditioning unit. The bare copper wire is the ground wire it needs to be connected to the green wire in the condenser junction box. If your distance is shorter than 100 then you ll be fine with # 6 or if you already have a 220 power supply installed on the other side of your house and is 50 or less then # 10 AWG we ll fine too. Understand that most, if not all, air conditioning units will use electric motors to operate the unit. Shop rags.  Forced convection type condensers are commonly used in window air conditioners, water coolers and packaged air conditioning plants. A review of the components: "THW" and "THWN" are wire insulation classifications by the NEC. The 30 amp circuit requires #10 AWG  wire or 10/2 cable that will be protected by a 30 amp circuit breaker. Thank you. There are two copper lines that run between the condenser and the evaporator coil. There is two types of wiring that will need to be done. We show you how to install a Vintage Air Compac Gen II A/C System in a 1941 Ford Woodie. HVAC Technician: Comfort Specialist, HVAC Technician replied 6 years ago. # 6 AWG wiring is sufficient but only up to 100 run. types handle different currents. Eventually the current becomes too much for the wiring and it breaks off again creating a dangerous condition. 3.1 The Ladder Diagram.  These condensers normally use fins on air- side for good heat transfer. The larger line is known as the suction line, return line, or vapor line. First of all, turn OFF the panel’s main breaker at the very top rated between 100 and 250 Amps (Figure 6). Only air-source heat pumps connect to your outdoor condenser. It is important to clean your AC condenser unit from time to time, as this will greatly help to increase its efficiency and ultimate performance. 7. According to the NEC, conductors or wires that transmit electrical power to motors must be of the stranded type of wire. The 30 amp circuit requires #10 AWG wire or 10/2 cable that will be protected by a 30 amp circuit breaker. This may be a lug or screw connection depending on the manufacturer. This set up consists of flat tubes, aluminium fins located in between tubes and two refrigerant manifolds. $90.69 $ 90. It might be worth it to get a few quotes from local HVAC companies, and see what they want to install. Show More. You're probably looking at a 3.5 ton unit, so you'll be in the 30-40A (10-8 AWG) range. Hi Fox Family Heating and AC, Thanks for your recommendation for how to protect the 24v wires. Furthermore, it will be one of the few control wires (thermostat wires) that will terminate at the condenser in a split system air conditioner and heating system. Dave, Electrical Questions and Electrical Answers, Are Computers Safe When Plugged into Home Electrical Outlets, Installing Outlets Near Air Conditioning Ducts. Understand that most, if not all, air conditioning units will use electric motors to operate the unit. I am installing a 2.5 ton lennox condenser and air handler and trying to calculate the wire size. Make sure to turn it off and disconnect it prior to starting any type of cleaning. Most central air conditioners will use 240 VAC with up to 60 amperes of load draw to power the device. Homeowners with geothermal heat pumps have no use for the orange wire. Let us outline a few tips which can help you clean it easily. The plug will also show how many wires are required for the circuit, for example 4 prongs would indicate a 3-wire circuit with a ground wire. Silver solder rods. This electrical question came from: Kevin, a Homeowner from Canada. Local regulations may exceed the NEC requirements, but they can never enforce a lesser ruling or exception. Emery cloth. This guide will explain how to wire your new condenser fan motor using a four wire setup or a three wire setup when using a single run capacitor or a dual run capacitor. Thanks for your electrical repair question Kevin. 4.1 out of 5 stars 65. Share this conversation . Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home projects with electrical code information serves as selection guidelines. Electrical Circuits The solid wire will become brittle enough to eventually break off completely while stranded wire will lose strands one strand at a time from this effect. The data plate on the condenser reads 1PH, 208/230 nominal volts, min ckt ampacity 17.2, max fuse or circuit breaker 30 amps hacr, my run is 50 to 60 feet from breaker panel to disconnect. Higher temp rated wire insulation would be different. The orange wire connects to terminal O on your thermostat. Further, the vibrating unit makes lots of noise which could disturb you and your neighbors. The circuit specifications of the AC cord should be visible in the molding of the face of the plug. Home Electrical Wire Then they may still do it 50 percent of the time. Comfort Specialist, HVAC Technician. Hi Experts- I am setting a new condenser unit for central AC and need to know the gauge of wire to run to the disconnect box. Home Circuit Breaker There are multiple flat tubes made of aluminium containing small channels (microchannels) through which refrigerant flows. $172.45 $ 172. When properly installed, your home electrical wiring is protected by a circuit protection device. I was told that on the 12/2 wire I need a 20 amp breaker, but in looking at different 20 amp breakers I see also other nos. 11 years ago. Any distance longer than that will have to be a # 4 and so on. This article looks at common 120 volt and 240 volt house wiring circuits and the circuit breakers that are installed identifying the types and amperage sizes used in most homes. If the unit is not on a flat surface then it will vibrate excessively, which can lead to the breakage of copper pipes, coolant leakage and compressor/condenser damage. It's going to completely depend on the unit that's being installed, but commonly it'll be 30-60 amp with 10-4 AWG wire. FREE Shipping by Amazon . This unit contains key components of split AC like compressor, condenser, fan motor etc. All of these wires are covered in a general type THW or THWN insulation covering. FREE Shipping. These types of condensers eject heat to the outdoors and are simple to install. There are three other condensers used in HVAC systems: Water-cooled; Air-cooled; Evaporative; Applications: Air cooled – If the condenser is located on the outside of the unit, the air cooled condenser can provide the easiest arrangement. Installation of the Model S-6 Remote Condenser allows free passage of air through the radiator, unobstructed by an air conditioning condenser. Sizing the correct wire for any electrical device is regulated by the National Electrical Code (NEC). 4.3 out of 5 stars 25. Satisfied Customers: 1,369. The Window air conditioning units are fed from single phase power source (see Fig.3), so its branch circuit and its main power cord consisting of 3 wires (The ground wire, hot wire and neutral wire). Pipe cleaning brush. Minimum circuit ampacity 18.9.max. Consult local regulations or building covenants that may require a stricter wire sizing or installation. I hope this helps, This causes the wire to become smaller and the heat increases. Kevin, the issue is not what size circuit breaker you should install, the issue is to make sure that the installed circuit will be exactly what the air conditioning unit is specifying which in this case is a 30 amp 230 volt circuit. No solid wires may be used. Copper wires, not aluminum wires, are also the preference for conducting electrical power to motors. HC37GE210A - Payne Upgraded Replacement Condenser Fan Motor 1/5 HP 230 Volts. Article 310 of the NEC contains multiple tables for the sizing of wires and the allowable amperage those wires may conduct. Typically, the yellow wire will be run to the air handler where at the air handler, this wire is usually connected to another wire (typically by a wire nut. Category: HVAC. The size of the home electrical service panel is designed by calculating the square footage of the home and factoring in the code requirements for the electrical circuits that are required. I have completed the task within .5 hr.  In forced convection type condensers, the circulation of air over the condenser surface is maintained by using a fan or a blower. The Following  will assist you with your Electrical Troubleshooting Question: Electric panel  The fins can be either plate type or annular type. Sta-Bright Silver solder flux. Some regulating agencies may require all electrical work to be performed by a licensed electrician. What size wire and breaker do I run use for a Fridgare 18000 btu window unit 230 volts 12 amp? The specs are rated voltage 208/230 phase 1 hertz 60 voltage min 197 max 253. The high-voltage wires from the air conditioner disconnect box (usually mounted on an outside wall within arm's reach of the air conditioner unit) are now pushed up through the wire clamp in the bottom of the box. While looking around in the heat pump condenser, I saw a bunch of low voltage wires inside the coil and at the bottom of the unit. In either case the ground wire is connected to the metal frame of the air conditioner condenser. Hi Don, From the Manufacturer of the condenser: 13 SEER unit (higher efficiency) Minimum Ampacity: 14.5 25 Amp Breaker LRA 68 Fuse or circuit breaker 30 amps. See the Underwriters Laboratory link in the Resources for a complete explanation. Micro channel condenser coils are all aluminum coils. G.K. Bayne is a freelance writer for various websites, specializing in back-to-basics instructional articles on computers and electrical equipment. Show Less. Special termination techniques will need to be performed if aluminum wires are used for conducting power to such devices. Here is some basic advice for those building a street rod. To take-care the change in frequency of AC current, while using moving iron type instruments, (a) an induction coil is used (b) a condenser of suitable value is used in series with the swamp resistance (c) a condenser of suitable value is used in parallel with the swamp resistance (d) a … Note also the configuration of the plug prongs which will indicate the receptacle outlet counterpart that is required. Bayne began her writing career in 1975 and studied history at the University of Tennessee. If the plug indicates that it is rated for 20 amps then a dedicated 20 amp circuit will be required consisting of #12 copper wire and a 2-pole 20 amp circuit breaker. According to the NEC, conductors or wires that transmit electrical power to motors must be of the stranded type of wire. They do it on every house every time, the same way unless someone instructs them to do it differently. Kevin, you should not use 12/2 cable for this circuit because it will be too small because the circuit will be limited to 20 amps and the 18.9 amps required for this load is over 80 percent of the rated load for the 20 amp circuit. Wiring sizes are all based on the amount of voltage and the load amperage of the circuit. The tag will indicate the voltage and amperage load draw of the air conditioning device. Read the same table to find the following amperage capacity for the typical wire sizes: a 12-gauge wire can safely handle 20 amperes, the 10-gauge wire will conduct 30 amperes, and the 8-gauge wire will carry 50 amperes. The inspectors around here would reject a 40 amp breaker on #10 copper 60 C NM/UF cable. No solid wires may be used. Table 310-16 shows that three wires of 6-gauge placed in a conduit will safely conduct 65 amperes of power. The orange wire only applies to homeowners with an air-source heat pump. This is where previous experience working inside a 240V electrical panel is an asset. While most original condenser fan motors only have three wires, it’s very common for replacement condenser fan motors to have four. It will be supplied from an electrical panel which will hold all the breakers for a home. House Wiring Circuits and Circuit Breakers More Buying Choices $80.00 (4 new offers) Amazon's Choice for replacement condenser … It is the most common type of wiring Diagrams. This metal tag will be near the electrical connection box for the unit. Special termination techniques will need to be performed if aluminum wires … The Air Conditioner Specifications Tell It All Copper refrigerant lines play an essential role in air conditioning systems: They are responsible for carrying the refrigerant between the condensing unit and the evaporator coil. Electric Circuit Listing The specifications for your 18000BTU AC unit is helpful, however the size of the circuit for this particular AC unit would be indicated by the size of the male plug-in on the end of the cord. 3- Types of Electrical Wiring Diagrams For Air Conditioning Systems. The voltage range for this wire falls between 0 volts and 2,000 volts. The Selection of Wire largely depends on the Current it has to carry when the Appliance operates at Peak Loads & Peak Temperatures. What type of wire should I use to run from the ac unit to the air handler and what is the wiring diagram. The … What wire do i use for 3 ton ac condenser that need 30 amp breaker 10/2 or 10/3 - Answered by a verified Electrician We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Locate the nameplate data tag on the air conditioning unit. Dave’s Reply: Step 4 - Wire the AC to the Electric Panel. Get it as soon as Fri, Jan 15. Add air conditioning - without hindering air flow through your radiator. 45. The specs are rated voltage…. 69. Connect the wires in the air conditioning condenser junction box. Ask Your Own HVAC Question. Fig.3: Window Air Conditioning Unit Power Circuit There are three basic types of wiring diagrams used in the HVAC/R industry today, which are: The Ladder Diagram, The Line Diagram, The installation diagram. The insulated wires may be either black and red, or black and white, but either way, they each carry 120 … They will always wire the following 30A for the AC, 30A for a dryer, 30A for a water heater, 50A for a range and 70A for the electric heat. Use the nameplate data from step 1 above to find the correct size wire to conduct power to the central air conditioning unit. Central AC wire sizing. Eliminated cause of engine overheating - R12 or 134A. I don't argue with the inspector and do what their department requires. Other Types of Condensers. 1… Electrical AC Power (Usually labeled L1, L2, and Ground) 2… DC Control Voltage (Usually labeled 1, 2 ,3) The AC electrical voltage will be 110-120 or 220-230 Volts. peterbu. It all electrical question: I need a 2 pole 20 amp breaker on # 10 copper 60 C cable. Common for Replacement condenser fan Motor 208-230 Volt 1/3 HP connection depending on the amount of and... 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Would put a 40amp breaker on # 10 copper 60 C NM/UF cable building covenants that may require a wire. Copper ground wire is connected to the condenser junction box - Rheem OEM condenser. G.K. Bayne is a freelance writer for various websites, specializing in back-to-basics instructional articles computers. The vibrating unit makes lots of noise which could disturb you and neighbors! Want to install set up consists of flat tubes, aluminium fins in... Of air through the radiator, unobstructed by an air conditioner condenser here reject! Preference for conducting electrical power to motors must be of the plug amp breaker. To any electrical installation and the evaporator coil air conditioning condenser junction.. To use for 40 amps, are also the preference for conducting electrical to. May be a lug or screw connection depending on the current it has 90 C rated THHN/THWN/XHHW insulation the. The heat increases correct size wire and breaker do I run use for sizing! 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An air-source heat pumps have no use for the orange wire radiator, unobstructed by an conditioner... Conductors or wires that transmit electrical power to such devices is connected to outdoors!