Is there any rule of thumb on using the ton of a AC unit to determine the units ampacity?....I mostly just run #8's to cover my my bases unless it is a 5 ton and I will run #6's....This is all without knowing the ampacity of the unit ....What I have is a 4 ton Comfortmaker AC unit and that is all I know....I looked on their web page and no help there.....I would just run #8's but I dont have any on the job and wanted to find out if I could just use the #10 I have and be safe....
A/C compressor
- Thread starter splinetto
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For residential units, a 4 Ton is typically on the border between #10 and #8. The newer the unit, the higher the odds it will be under 30A MCA. A #8 should cover most AC compressors today that are 5 tons or less.
Remember you size the wire by MCA and not max breaker size.
Remember you size the wire by MCA and not max breaker size.
Jim W in Tampa
Senior Member
- Location
- Tampa Florida
Be oversized if anything.Could end up with heat pump.
chevyx92
Senior Member
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- VA BCH, VA
Yes "The" rule of thumb is for every 1 ton figure 10 amps in residential applications. Commerical will vary a great deal and you will definately need name plate ratings on those.splinetto said:
Maybe you meant heat strips.
Heat pump/air conditioner is exactly the same thing, just backwards.
A reversing valve just diverts the hot gas inside to the evaporator coils and the cold gas outside thru the condenser coils.
They don't work well in cold climates because the outside condenser will coils freeze up.
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