Air conditioner Q

[olly]

New condensing unit and A/C coil in the furnace. The furnace is up in an attic.
At the furnace, the the HVAC tech said he needs an outlet mounted for a pump. I assume this is for a condensation pump. Can the power for this outlet be wired from the furnace circuit. Does the outlet need to be a GFCI does the circuit now need to be AFCI?

 

[david luchini]

The pump can be wired from the furnace circuit, assuming it can support the load.

I don't believe GFCI or AFCI would be required.

 

[augie47]

More often I see it connected to the 210,63 required receptacle or 210.70 lighting circuit.

 

[LarryFine]

More often I see it connected to the 210,63 required receptacle or 210.70 lighting circuit.

Same here. Code requires them to be there, so you'll have at least one 120v circuit.

One option is to feed everything from a small sub-panel instead of a separate disconnect.

 

[GoldDigger]

You probably do not want the condensate pump on a GFCI circuit unless there is something else on the circuit to alert you if it trips. Not as bad as losing refrigerator, but could be a mess in semi-finished basement.

 

[retirede]

Not as bad as losing refrigerator, but could be a mess in semi-finished basement.

He says it’s in the attic. Which makes me question if the load is really a condensate pump. Everything should be downhill from the unit!

 

[GSHeating1]

AFCI security is at present needed for every one of the 15 and 20 amp branch circuits giving capacity to outlets* in private family rooms, lounge areas, parlors, parlors, libraries, lairs, rooms, sunrooms, amusement rooms, storerooms, foyers, and comparative rooms or regions.

 

[infinity]

Attic receptacles do not require GFCI protection. There was a proposal made several code cycles ago to require it but it was rejected.

 

[Jraef]

He says it’s in the attic. Which makes me question if the load is really a condensate pump. Everything should be downhill from the unit!

I would agree, but I’ve seen some units where they use a pump no matter what, I assume because they never want to leave anything in a collection reservoir in order to avoid mold growth.

 

[GoldDigger]

I would agree, but I’ve seen some units where they use a pump no matter what, I assume because they never want to leave anything in a collection reservoir in order to avoid mold growth.

Or to provide positive pressure so mold cannot block the gravity flow tube.