Hvac Circuit Breaker Sizing

A 30a circuit breaker can safely carry the exact 30a current but nec suggests 80 as a safe current limit as compared to the rated current.

Hvac circuit breaker sizing.

210 22 c 220 3 a 220 10 b and 384 16 c all relate to the sizing rules for overcurrent protective devices ocpds. The first three all specify the same requirement. The air conditioner specification plate calls for maximum breaker size of 20 amp. The service drop conductors must be sized from table 310 17.

If triplex is used table 310 16 must be used as directed by nec article 321 5. In need of evaluation and repair by qualified electrician. 80 of breaker max single phase breaker size wire size based on copper thhn wire increase one size when using aluminum conductors at 115 volts at 230 volts 15 amp 14 1 380 2 760 20 amp 12 1 840 3 680 30 amp 10 seldom used on 115 voltage 5 520 40 amp 8 seldom used on 115 voltage 7 360 50 amp 6 seldom used on 115 voltage 9 200 60 amp 6 seldom used on 115. The over current device fuse or circuit breaker must be sized for the ampacity of the service drop and available fault current.

As circuit breakers cbs and overcurrent protection devices ocpd are designed for 100 rated current i e. An over sized circuit breaker could result in damage to ac unit and or electrical wiring. However typically electric furnaces require a draw between 60 and 80 amps. Ocpd size 100 of noncontinuous load 125 of continuous load.

By multiplying the volts by amps you will receive total wattage. Notice that the mca is 28 6 amps and the maximum fuse or circuit breaker is 50 amps. If you see a plug with two diagonal prongs and one straight prong under it assume 240 v of power requirement. The circuit breaker also needs to be large enough to support the minimum circuit ampacity which for this example would be a circuit breaker rated for at least 34 amps which means we d jump up to.

Take a look at the lennox air conditioning condensing unit tag on page 19. The exact amps an electric furnace requires is solely based on the size of the furnace and its performance capabilities. If you see a normal household plug on it with three straight prongs assume 120 v of power requirement. Observed that the circuit breaker for ac unit is over sized 50 amp.

Breaker size based on wattage the size of a breaker is determined by the amp draw.