WIRE SIZE FOR 50 AMP BREAKER HOW TO

So, you could get by with a 30 amp breaker. Using a 30-amp breaker, 80% of the amps are 24 running amps. Based on the above chart, this 3-ton air conditioner unit requires an 8-gauge wire and a maximum size of 35 amp circuit breaker.īoth the wire and breaker size fall within the parameters outlined above. In the photo example above, electrical requirements for this 3-ton American Standard unit require a minimum amperage rating of 25 Amps. Replacing the breaker can be done relatively quickly. A wire with more electrical current than it’s rated for will get hot and trigger the breaker’s thermal switch to trip, even at normal operating ranges.Īs circuit breakers age and wear out, the breaker tripping threshold erodes back toward 100% of the breaker amp load and maybe less. Breakers trip at around 125% of the amperage, so why is wire size such a big deal? In most cases, it’s easier to replace a breaker than it is to pull a new wire. The amperage should not be greater than 80% capacity. For a 35-amp breaker, the running amps should be around a maximum of 28 amps. In other words, the wire is slightly larger than the electrical current rating. On a 240-volt circuit, the voltage drop should not exceed 3% or about 233 volts. Voltage drop occurs across the length the electrical current has to travel. When calculating the wire size you need, don’t forget to determine the voltage drop and wire capacity. įor all these reasons and more, you’d want to adhere to a measure twice, cut once mentality, especially when safety and financial stability are the cost. You can also throw unnecessary costs into the equation even more to the point. Overload is one of the many possibilities if you don’t utilize the proper wire size, and incompatibility issues can be just as obvious. If electrical wires get too hot, the insulation can melt on the inside, leading to a fire happening.įor example, suppose you have a relatively large heat pump with 24,000 BTU, yet your wire is only a 12 gauge. The wire size is essential because an overload can occur if it is not sized appropriately. Residential systems are often limited to a maximum of 5 tons or 60,000 BTU. AC Size BTU American Wire Gauge (AWG) Size Breaker Size 1 ton 12,000 14 gauge 15 amp 1.5 ton 18,000 12 gauge 20 amp 2 ton 24,000 10 gauge 25-30 amp 3 ton 36,000 8 gauge 30-40 amp 4 ton 48,000 6 gauge 50-60 amp 5 ton 60,000 4 gauge 60-70 amp 6 ton 72,000 2 gauge 80-90 amp 7 ton 84,000 1 gauge 100-125 amp Breaker sizes and wire gauges vary depending on the manufacturer and model. The outdoor unit should specify the MCA (Minimum Circuit Ampacity) and MOCP (Maximum Overcurrent Protection) on its plate. The minimum ampacity helps determine the minimum gauge wire you need to use.įurthermore, we have provided tonnage table charts below if you are a visual person and need a better reference. Wire gauges are measured in diameter based on the American Wire Gauge (AWG) chart. If you have your average 240 volts 2 kW air handler, you will need a 30 amp breaker and a #10 electrical wire. Let us say you have a 2-ton heat pump at home.

That information also provides you with the maximum overcurrent protection or MOP rating. In return, it makes it much easier to determine what size breaker you need.

WIRE SIZE FOR 50 AMP BREAKER HOW TO

If you are still unsure how to follow this guide, you can quickly look at the nameplate data on the outdoor unit.

Not only that, but the amount of voltage the heat pump needs also determines the size of the breaker. What Wire Size and Breaker for Heat Pump? (Tonnage Chart)ĭepending on the size wire, you’ll need to find the breaker’s size, which gives you the specific rating. Given that information, the main power panel has two separate breakers for the air handler and the other one for the heat pump condenser. A regular heat pump requires two dedicated branch circuits: the condensing or AC unit and the air handler. It is essential to know how many breakers you will need for a split heat pump or central AC in the first place. Keep reading to find out more information and what wire and breaker sizes are needed for your central cooling system. Manufacturers list the maximum breaker size on the data plate located on the side of both units. The wire size and breaker for heat pumps and air conditioners (AC) vary based on the tonnage. However, one might wonder how many amp breakers you need for a heat pump.Ī split heat pump or air conditioner has two separate electrical circuits, one for the outdoor unit (condenser) and the indoor unit (air handler or furnace). The main electric panel contains two different amp breakers one for the indoor unit and the other for the heat pump condenser or air conditioner.

Wire size for 50 amp breaker