Wire size

[acts238]

I know this is residential, but is this single phase or 3-phase?

I had a call last night, no cool: determined that the fan side of the dual run cap was "no bueno". I didn't have the required microfarads on board; so, I went back this morning, (Saturday) with a turbo 200 (all they had). Out of curiousity I looked in the main return box, and saw a 14 in. round dust spot, on the plenum insulation, that was not cut out in the installation.

[MM#7]

The poster I referenced is Canadian.

ok.

[Senator]

you need a minimum #6 wire for a 50-60 amp breaker---I never agreed with doing by the max size because the breaker does act as a fuse.... why would you be ok with the amps being that high to begin with? There is obviously an issuse going on with excess amp draw loose txv bulb, over charge, dirty condenser, lack of return airlow ect.

[acts238]

you need a minimum #6 wire for a 50-60 amp breaker---I never agreed with doing by the max size because the breaker does act as a fuse.... why would you be ok with the amps being that high to begin with? There is obviously an issuse going on with excess amp draw loose txv bulb, over charge, dirty condenser, lack of return airlow ect.

We called an electrician out for this customer. They ran #6 wire all the way to the unit. New 50 amp breaker, new disconnect, real fine job.

[Milk man]

Unless you hire the electrician, you can't bill for him. How are you going to get paid for the whip if you didn't install it.

[acts238]

Unless you hire the electrician, you can't bill for him. How are you going to get paid for the whip if you didn't install it.

I hadn't thought of that. The electrician is a guy I know, and I just had the customer call him.

[timebuilder]

We called an electrician out for this customer. They ran #6 wire all the way to the unit. New 50 amp breaker, new disconnect, real fine job.

This is a REAL suggestion.

Ask your electrician friend why he didn't wire the outdoor unit according to article 430 of the NEC.

Please post his answer back here.

[acts238]

This is a REAL suggestion.

Ask your electrician friend why he didn't wire the outdoor unit according to article 430 of the NEC.

Please post his answer back here.

which part of article 430 NEC, are we looking at.

[craig1]

If the unit ran fine for 10 years on the 30 amp breaker, I suspect something else is up.

2 weeks ago i got a no A/C call.

Found this
12 year old 4 ton trane
40 amp breaker
8 awg wire throughout
25 amp fuses in the disconnect (looked original)

MCA 40 amps
MOP 50 amps

cleaned the extremely dirty condenser, installed 30 amp time delay fuses (biggest that would fit in that disconnect), and tested compressor ohms and amp draw.

everything was good.

Two days later the compressor shorted to ground.

I suspect the compressor was on its way out and thats what blew the fuses the first time.

[shelby22]

When I discovered the 30 amp tripped breaker, and checked the nameplate on the 50 amp min. unit. I quickly realized, someone made a mistake.

a 50amp is a #6 thhn,all day long