
What size wire for 30 amp air conditioner?ġ0 gauge wire. The BTU ratings are also listed here, if that is how you are trying to determine the wiring size. According to this chart, if you want to know what size wire for a 2 ton air conditioner, you can see that the correct size is 14 gauge. What size wire for 2 ton air conditioner?ġ4 gauge. What size wire for a central air conditioner? Cooling Capacity For some, that’s a new idea that takes a little getting used to. Gauge size – In wire, as you likely know, the smaller the number, the thicker the wire. What Size Wire for Central Air Conditioner? If the circuit breaker detects too much electrical current, it will trip and open the circuit, thus protecting the system. Info tip: At the circuit breaker box, the important issue of preventing damage to the wiring and the system in general is addressed. Scrolling down the chart, a system that is rated at 48,000 BTU/4 tons will need a 20 amp breaker.

Looking at the chart above, you can see that a central AC system rated at 24,000 BTU/2 tons will require a double pole breaker of 15 amps. What size breaker for a central air conditioner? Cooling Capacity You can use a breaker with more capacity than you need, of course. What Size Circuit Breaker for Central Air Conditioner? So be sure to use the wiring and circuit breakers appropriate for the system, especially if you are a DIYer. But this also means that it will require more electrical power. The more BTUs or tons, the more cooling power the air conditioner has. Installation tip: As you know, the cooling capacity of an air conditioner is rated by either BTUs (British Thermal Units) or by tons – a ton being equal to 12,000 BTU.

But a lot of it has to come straight from the wiring. Some of that power is supplied by the battery-like capacitor. This is about 4 to 5 times that of an electric hair dryer. When most central air conditioners first start up, they may require up to 5,000 watts of electricity. These systems are large users of electricity. Central Air Conditioner Power and Wire RequirementsĪ central air conditioning system requires a 220-volt circuit of its own. A signal from the thermostat is sent through these wires to call for the AC system to turn on and off. An additional set of low voltage wires from the AC condenser to the control board on the home’s furnace will also be needed. Info tip: Common central air conditioner wire size options are discussed below.ĥ. Electrical wire, commonly called Romex, of the correct size for the AC system and long enough to run from the power panel to the location where the condenser will be located.

#Size wire for 30 amp breaker manual
Check your AC’s installation manual or talk with an electrician to determine the right breaker at the right amps.Ģ. Supplies tips: Not every circuit breaker will fit in every breaker box. A “double pole” circuit breaker (220v) of the appropriate brand for the breaker box and the correct amperage for the central AC system. Starting at the main power panel, you will need the following electrical supplies:ġ.
