Top 17 4 Ton Ac Unit How Many Amps 229 Most Correct Answers

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A 4 ton 13 SEER heat pump condensation unit draws a min. of 26.4 amps and a max. of 45 amps.1: How many watts does a 4 ton ac unit use? From 2285 watts to about 5500 watts for SEER ratings from 10 to 24. A 16 SEER 4 ton AC uses about 3400 watts of electricity.

AC Breaker Sizes Chart (For 1.5-Ton To 5-Ton Units)

Air Conditioner Tonnage:	Max. Wattage (At 10 EER):	Min. Breaker Ampacity:
3 Ton	3,600 Watts	20.45 Amps
3.5 Ton	4,200 Watts	23.86 Amps
4 Ton	4,800 Watts	27.28 Amps
4.5 Ton	5,400 Watts	30.69 Amps

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18 thg 5, 2022

AC Size	BTU	Breaker Size
2 ton	24,000	25-30 amp
3 ton	36,000	30-40 amp
4 ton	48,000	50-60 amp
5 ton	60,000	60-70 amp

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6 thg 2, 2022

How many amps does a 1-5 Ton ac unit draw?

Air Conditioner Capacity (Ton)	BTU	Amps
3 Ton	36,000 BTU	11.18 amps
3.5 Ton	42,000 BTU	13.04 amps
4 Ton	48,000 BTU	14.91 amps
5 Ton	60,000 BTU	18.63 amps

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26 thg 4, 2022

Contents

What size breaker do I need for a 4 ton AC unit?

AC Size	BTU	Breaker Size
2 ton	24,000	25-30 amp
3 ton	36,000	30-40 amp
4 ton	48,000	50-60 amp
5 ton	60,000	60-70 amp

6 thg 2, 2022

How many amps does a 4 ton unit draw?

How many amps does a 1-5 Ton ac unit draw?

Air Conditioner Capacity (Ton)	BTU	Amps
3 Ton	36,000 BTU	11.18 amps
3.5 Ton	42,000 BTU	13.04 amps
4 Ton	48,000 BTU	14.91 amps
5 Ton	60,000 BTU	18.63 amps

26 thg 4, 2022

How many amps is a 4 ton compressor?

A 4 ton 13 SEER heat pump condensation unit draws a min. of 26.4 amps and a max. of 45 amps.

How many watts does a 4 ton AC unit use?

1: How many watts does a 4 ton ac unit use? From 2285 watts to about 5500 watts for SEER ratings from 10 to 24. A 16 SEER 4 ton AC uses about 3400 watts of electricity.

What wire do I use for a 4 ton AC unit?

An average 4-ton AC unit has a max. wattage of about 4,800W and requires a wire with a minimum ampacity of 27.28A. That means you will need to use a 10 AWG wire with 35A ampacity.

What size wire is good for 60 amps?

60 amp wire size is either 6 AWG or 4 AWG wire (AWG stands for American Wire Gauge; standard wire sizing is the US) for 220V voltage. An amateur will use a 6 AWG wire size for 60 amp 220V. A professional will always use 4 AWG wire size for 60 amp 220V.

Will a 12000 watt generator run a 4 ton AC unit?

Champion Power Equipment 100111 15,000/12,000-Watt Portable Generator. You can’t go wrong with the Generac recommended for a 5 ton unit. But it’s a little expensive, and you can find something more affordable that is a suitable generator for 4 ton AC units.

How much current does a 5 ton AC draw?

An average 5-ton air conditioner (with 10 EER rating) will run on 6,000 W. Such a 5-ton air conditioner will use 25 Amps at 240V. Examples of 60,000 BTU units are 4-zone mini-splits and 5-zone mini-split air conditioners.

How many amps are in a ton?

Ton (refrigeration) to Volt Ampere Conversion Table

Ton (refrigeration)	Volt Ampere [V*A]
1 ton (refrigeration)	*3516.8528420667 VA**
2 ton (refrigeration)	7033.7056841333 V*A
3 ton (refrigeration)	10550.5585262 V*A
5 ton (refrigeration)	17584.264210333 V*A

How much power does a 3.5-ton AC use?

Central Air Conditioning Systems

A typical 2,000-square-foot house has a 3.5-ton air conditioner. This size of AC unit uses about 3,500 watts per hour when it’s in cooling mode. When a central air conditioner is running in the fan-only mode, it uses approximately 750 watts per hour.

What size generator do I need to run a 5-ton AC unit?

If you have a 5-ton (50-Amp, 60,000 BTUs) air conditioner, you need at least a 20 KW generator.

How many amps does a 3 ton AC pull?

You may be asking yourself, “what size breaker do I need for a 3 ton AC?” The answer to that question is 60 amps for the air handler breaker size.

Will a 6500 watt generator run central air?

The average Central AC unit uses around 3,500 W of electricity or 12,000 BTU’s every hour. What is this? To be on the safe side when selecting a portable generator to pair with this average standard, you should opt for something with about 6,000 to 6,500 Watts of output.

Will a 7500 watt generator run central air?

A 7,500-watt generator is an excellent option for powering your house since it can run a central air conditioner or heat pump.

What size breaker do I need for a 3 ton AC unit?

For 3-ton AC units, the breaker size is typically 30-40 amp.

How many amps is a 3.5 ton air conditioner?

You may be asking yourself, “what size breaker do I need for a 3 ton AC?” The answer to that question is 60 amps for the air handler breaker size.

How many square feet will a 4 ton AC cool?

Step 5: Match your square footage to an HVAC size chart

Home Sq Footage	Air Conditioner Size (tons)
600 – 1,000 square feet	1.5 tons
1,000 – 1,500 square feet	2 tons
1,500 – 2,000 square feet	3 tons
2,000 – 2,500 square feet	4 tons

What size breaker do I need for a 3 ton air handler?

For 3-ton AC units, the breaker size is typically 30-40 amp. However, the breaker size will ultimately depend on the manufacturer’s recommended ampacity.

How many amps does a 3 ton air conditioner pull?

AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP LOADS – TYPICAL
SIZE	BTU	Running Load
1 Ton	12,000	5
2 Ton	24,000	10
3 Ton	36,000	15

How To Test Ampere 3 Phase Air Conditioner in Urdu/Hindi

What Size Breaker For AC Unit? Explanation + Calculator + Chart

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AC Breaker Size Calculator

AC Breaker Sizes Chart (For 15-Ton To 5-Ton Units)

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What Size Breaker For AC Unit? Explanation + Calculator + Chart

The wrong AC breaker will fry electric circuits. Everybody knows that you have to think about what size breaker you need for an AC unit. Not everybody, however, knows how to adequately choose the right size breaker for an AC unit.

To help you out with AC electrical requirements (and prevent your breaker from catching fire), we have prepared an overview article about air conditioners and respective breaker sizes for different capacity AC units.

Most homeowners usually need help with determining the breaker size for 220/240V breakers. For smaller 1-ton (or up to and including 15,000 BTU) AC units, you only need a standard 110/120V circuit with the standard 15 amp breaker.

In order to understand the AC breaker sizing, we will look into:

How to figure out what size breaker you need for your AC? You can either check the AC label for ‘Max Breaker Size’ in the specification sheet (breaker amps are usually categorized under ‘Overcurrent Protective Device’ section).

You can either check the AC label for ‘Max Breaker Size’ in the specification sheet (breaker amps are usually categorized under ‘Overcurrent Protective Device’ section). How to calculate the AC breaker size? Further on, you will find an AC breaker size calculator that includes the bigger units that require a 220/240V circuit.

Further on, you will find an that includes the bigger units that require a 220/240V circuit. AC breaker size chart for air conditioners with 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, and 5-ton capacity. These units require anything between a 15 amp breaker and a 35 amp breaker. You can find the summarized AC breaker chart at the end.

First of all, however, let’s look into how to adequately estimate the minimum amps for an AC breaker. This accounts for:

Max. wattage. 1-5 ton units require anywhere between 1,800W and 6,000W electric power input. NEC breaker requirements. We will lay out the 80% National Electric Code (NEC) requirement for all breakers. This is a safety measure put in place in order to avoid the electric circuit from being overpowered.

Let’s first look at how the determine the minimum AC breaker size:

How To Calculate How Many Amps Breaker Size You Need For AC Units?

The easiest way to figure out how big a breaker you need for AC is to check the AC label. In the photo above, you see an example of the specs sheet with the outlined min. circuit ampacity.

Now, if you don’t have that, you have to know how to calculate the minimal amps of your breaker size.

Here’s how you do that in 2 steps:

Figure out max. the wattage of your AC. You can check the label for maximum wattage. Max. wattage can also be calculated from the EER rating (we presume 10 EER rating in all our calculations further on). Based on this, you can calculate how many amps an AC unit draws. When you have the amp draw, you have to apply the 80% NEC rule. This states that the calculated amp draw should represent at most 80% of the total ampacity of the AC breaker.

Calculating Max. AC Wattage

Let’s first illustrate how to calculate the amp draw of an AC unit. Let’s say we have a 24,000 BTU air conditioner. You can get the max. wattage from the label.

Without that, we can approximate the wattage by applying an energy-efficient rating (EER rating of that). A 24,000 BTU AC unit with a 10 EER rating has a max. wattage of 2,400W. Here is how you calculate this:

Max. AC Wattage = Capacity (in BTUs) / EER rating

In our example, the max. wattage calculation looks like this:

Max. AC Wattage (24,000 BTU Unit) = 24,000 BTU / 10 EER = 2,400W

Calculating AC Amp Draw For Breaker Size

When we have the max. wattage, we have to calculate how many amps does such an AC unit draw when running at 100% output. Luckily, we know that these units run on 220V voltage (this may also be a 230V or 240V circuit).

To calculate the amp draw we are going to use to determine the AC breaker size, we use the simple electric power equation:

P = I × V

This is the watts = amps × volts equation. Let’s express I (current) that is measured in amps:

I = P / V

Now let’s use our 24,000 BTU breaker size example. We know that P = 2,400 watts and V = 220 volts. Let’s plug this in the equation:

I (Amp Draw Of 24,000 BTU AC) = 2,400W / 220V = 10.91 Amps

This means that such an air conditioner should at most draw little less than 11 amps of electric current (10.91A, to be exact).

Now, we have to apply the 80% NEC rule. This is a safety measure so you don’t fry your AC breaker.

Apply 80% NEC Rule To Get The Minimal AC Breaker Capacity

This NEC rule tells us that the calculated amp draw should represent at most 80% of the AC breaker size amps. In short, we need a bit bigger AC breaker than the expected max. amp draw (just in case).

Example: Let’s say we have an AC unit with max. amp draw of 8A. This 8A should represent at most 80% of the AC breaker ampacity. That means that we need at least a 10A breaker size.

We can easily account for this 80% NEC rule by multiplying the max. amp draw by 1.25 factor like this:

Breaker Size (Applying 80% NEC Rule) = 8A × 1.25 = 10A

If we check out 24,000 BTU AC unit from the example above, we know that the max. amp draw is 10.91A. To illustrate how to apply the 80% rule here as well, let’s calculate the breaker size for 24,000 BTU breaker:

24,000 BTU AC Breaker Size (Applying 80% NEC Rule) = 10.91A × 1.25 = 13.64 Amps

This is the minimal breaker size we need. Of course, there is no 13.64A breaker. Breaker sizes are usually rounded to the 5A. Namely, we have 10A, 15A, 20A, 25A, 30A, 35A AC breakers.

If we need a minimum ampacity of 13.64A. That means the 10A breaker is too small. 20A breaker is overkill (you can still use it, of course). The optimum choice of a breaker size for a 24,000 BTU air conditioner is a 15A breaker.

Below, we calculated the minimum required breaker size for 2-ton, 3-ton, 4-ton, and 5-ton air conditioners. You will find the full chart with minimum breaker sizes and actual AC breaker size choices.

This calculation does seem a bit complex for some homeowners. To make your life easier, you can use this automatic calculator that determines the minimum AC breaker ampacity for your air conditioner:

AC Breaker Size Calculator

Here you simply insert the tonnage of your AC and get the minimal breaker size amps. Based on this, you can choose the right size breaker for your air conditioner. (Note: We use a 10 EER rating and 220V to calculate the max. wattage in this calculator)

Here is how this AC breaker ampacity calculator works:

Let’s say we have a 3.5-ton AC unit. That’s 42,000 BTU. If the EER rating is 10, it draws 4,200W of power when running at 100%. At 220V voltage, this means it draws 19.09 amps. We need to apply the 80% NEC rule, and we get the minimum breaker ampacity should be 23.86A. That means you will need a 25A breaker for a 3.5-ton AC unit.

The calculator does all this automatically like this:

You can make this calculation yourself for any air conditioner.

We made calculations for 2-ton, 3-ton, 4-ton, and 5-ton air conditioners as well. At the end, you can find a summarized chart for all AC tonnages.

24,000 BTU Air Conditioner Breaker Size (2-Ton Units)

24,000 BTU air conditioners can draw anywhere from 2,000W to 2,800W of electric power when running at 100% output. On average, at a 10 EER rating, they require 2,400 watts to run.

All 24,000 BTU AC units run on 220/240V circuit. We can use 220V for a conservative AC breaker size for 24,000 BTU units.

If we use the breaker size calculator above (that presumed 10 EER rating), we have to have a breaker size that can handle 2,400W at 220V. Here is the required minimum amps of a breaker we get with the calculator (24,000 BTU is equal to 2 tons):

As you can see, we can confirm that we need a 13.64A minimum ampacity. That means we will need a 15A breaker for a 24,000 BTU air conditioner.

Of course, more energy-efficient 24,000 BTU units run on lower wattage and less energy-efficient units run on higher wattage.

Higher energy efficiency: If the 24,000 BTU unit runs on 2,000W, we need fewer amps. At 220V, the amp draw is 9.09A. Accounting for the 80% NEC rule, this results in an 11.36A minimum breaker size requirement. We still need a 15A breaker.

Lower energy efficiency: If the 24,000 BTU unit runs on 2,800W, we need more amps. At 220V, the amp draw is 12.73A. Accounting for the 80% NEC rule, this results in a 15.91A minimum breaker size requirement. In this case, we need a 20A breaker.

Let’s make similar breaker size calculations for other AC sizes:

What Breaker Size For 3 Ton AC Unit?

On average, 3-ton units (or 36,000 BTU) run on 3,600W. Less efficient units can run on 4,200W and more efficient ones run on as little as 3,000W.

Using the calculator above, we can see that an average 3-ton AC unit requires a breaker with at least 20.45A ampacity. That means the most appropriate choice of a breaker size for a 3-ton unit is a 25A breaker.

Here is the breakdown for high energy efficiency (above 10 EER) and low energy efficiency (below 10 EER) 3-ton units:

High energy efficiency 3-ton units will require a 15A breaker.

Low energy efficiency 3-ton units will require a 20A breaker.

What Breaker Size For 4 Ton AC Unit?

On average, 4-ton units (or 48,000 BTU) run on 4,800W. Less efficient units can run on 5,600W and more efficient ones run on as little as 4,000W.

Using the calculator above, we can see that an average 4-ton AC unit requires a breaker with at least 27.27A ampacity. That means the most appropriate choice of a breaker size for a 3-ton unit is a 30A breaker.

Here is the breakdown for high energy efficiency (above 10 EER) and low energy efficiency (below 10 EER) 4-ton units:

High energy efficiency 4-ton units will require a 25A breaker.

Low energy efficiency 4-ton units will require a 35A breaker.

What Breaker Size For 5 Ton AC Unit?

On average, 5-ton units (or 60,000 BTU) run on 6,000W. Less efficient units can run on 6,800W and more efficient ones run on as little as 5,200W.

Using the calculator above, we can see that an average 5-ton AC unit requires a breaker with at least 34.09A ampacity. That means the most appropriate choice of a breaker size for a 5-ton unit is a 35A breaker.

Here is the breakdown for high energy efficiency (above 10 EER) and low energy efficiency (below 10 EER) 3-ton units:

High energy efficiency 5-ton units will require a 35A breaker.

Low energy efficiency 5-ton units will require a 40A breaker.

Let’s summarize all these breaker sizes for air conditioners:

AC Breaker Sizes Chart (For 1.5-Ton To 5-Ton Units)

Here is the chart for AC breaker sizing (at a 10 EER rating and 220V circuit):

Air Conditioner Tonnage: Max. Wattage (At 10 EER): Amp Draw At 220V: Min. Breaker Ampacity: Min. Breaker Size 1.5 Ton 1,800 Watts 8.18 Amps 10.23 Amps 15 Amp Breaker 2 Ton 2,400 Watts 10.91 Amps 13.64 Amps 15 Amp Breaker 2.5 Ton 3,000 Watts 13.64 Amps 17.05 Amps 20 Amp Breaker 3 Ton 3,600 Watts 16.36 Amps 20.45 Amps 25 Amp Breaker 3.5 Ton 4,200 Watts 19.09 Amps 23.86 Amps 25 Amp Breaker 4 Ton 4,800 Watts 21.82 Amps 27.28 Amps 30 Amp Breaker 4.5 Ton 5,400 Watts 24.55 Amps 30.69 Amps 35 Amp Breaker 5 Ton 6,000 Watts 27.27 Amps 34.09 Amps 35 Amp Breaker

Hopefully, you can use the know-how of how to calculate the breaker sizes to adequately select the right size amp breaker for your AC unit. With the calculated chart, you can quite accurately estimate the electric breaker size requirements for AC units with different capacities (tonnages).

Wire Size & Breaker Guide for Heat Pumps & Air Conditioners (Tonnage Chart)

Heat pumps and central air conditioners (AC) are excellent systems to save on energy within your home. They save you a ton of space, provide comfort and convenience, and are efficient units.

It is no wonder people opt to buy them in the first place. However, one might wonder how many amp breakers you need for a heat pump.

A 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). In that case, the main electric panel contains two different amp breakers. One is for the indoor unit and the other for the heat pump condenser or air conditioner. Manufacturers list the maximum breaker size on the data plate located on the side of both units.

Keep reading to find out more information and what wire and breaker sizes are needed for your central cooling system. You’ll find a lot of knowledgeable details from this article!

What is a Circuit Breaker?

Suppose you are unsure of what a circuit breaker is. In that case, a circuit breaker essentially puts safety on your device to prevent the motors and wiring from damaging up.

What Size Wire Is Needed For 200Amp… To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video What Size Wire Is Needed For 200Amp Electrical Service – Home Inspection Insider

It becomes a central hub for all the electric connections within your home.

A main circuit breaker’s power supply ranges from 100 to 200 amps and passes from a meter. You should see a disconnection switch between the meter and the electrical panel.

Having a circuit breaker prevents the overload from occurring, making it safer of a home for you to live in.

In other words, before an excess amount of power happens, the circuit breaker turns the power on and off, protecting many switches and devices that a circuit is on.

The only exception is the disconnection switch that turns the power off and on to a machine or control panel.

A modern circuit breaker is inside a metal box, and typically, the location is within your home. However, sometimes they are outside of your house.

If the breaker has a location within your residence, you might only see the door to the box because it is inside the wall.

How Many Breakers will You Need?

It is essential to know how many breakers you will need for a split heat pump or central AC in the first place. A regular heat pump requires two separate branch circuits: the condensing or AC unit and the air handler.

Given that information, the main power panel has two separate breakers for the air handler and the other one for the heat pump condenser.

What Size Breaker to use for a Heat Pump? (Tonnage Chart)

Depending on the size wire, you’ll need to find the breaker’s size, which gives you the specific rating.

Not only that, but the amount of voltages the heat pump needs also determines the size of the breaker.

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

In return, it makes it much easier to determine what size breaker you will need.

That information also provides you with the maximum overcurrent protection or MOP rating.

Let us say you have a 2-ton heat pump at home. In that case, if you have your average 240 volts 2 kW air handler, you will need a 30 amp breaker and a #10 electrical wire.

Wire gauges are measured in diameter based on the American Wire Gauge (AWG) chart.

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.

Furthermore, we have provided tonnage table charts below if you are a visual person and need a better reference.

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.

Residential systems are often limited to a maximum of 5 tons or 60,000BTU.

Why is Wire Size Important?

The wire size is essential because an overload can occur if it is not sized appropriately. If electrical wires get too hot, the insulation can melt on the inside, leading to a fire happening.

For example, suppose you have a relatively large heat pump with 24,000 BTU, yet your wire is only a 12 gauge. In that case, this is a safety hazard.

Overload is one of the many possibilities if you don’t utilize the proper wire size, and incompatibility issues can be just as obvious. You can also throw unnecessary costs into the equation even more to the point.

For 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.

When calculating the wire size you need, don’t forget to determine the voltage drop and wire capacity. Voltage drop occurs across the length the electrical current has to travel. On a 240-volt circuit, the voltage drop should not exceed 3% or about 233 volts.

In other words, the wire is slightly larger than the electrical current rating. For a 35-amp breaker, the running amps should be around a maximum of 28 amps.

The amperage should not be greater than 80% capacity. 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. A wire with the 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.

As circuit breakers age and begin to wear out, the breaker tripping threshold erodes back toward 100% of the breaker amp load and maybe less. Replacing the breaker can be done relatively quickly.

In the photo example above, electrical requirements for this 3-ton American Standard unit require a minimum amperage rating of 25 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.

Both the wire and breaker size fall within the parameters outlined above. Using a 30-amp breaker, 80% of the amps is 24 running amps. So, you could get by with a 30 amp breaker. However, I’d still recommend the 8-gauge wire.

Using a 25-amp breaker would likely trip frequently because the 80% rule allows 20 running amps. The maximum load the 25-amp circuit breaker can handle is 31.25 amps (125% of the breaker amperage), likely to trip the breaker frequently.

How Many Amps Does a Heat Pump or AC Use?

As we mentioned previously, it truly depends on the size of the heat pump. Here, we have created a chart to help you better understand based on 1 to 5 heat pump unit draws.

This chart is based on a 230 volt and 16 SEER. One thing to keep in mind is BTU / ((SEER*0.875) x Volt) = Amps.

AC Capacity (Ton) BTU Amps 1 12,000 3.73 1.5 18,000 5.59 2 24,000 7.45 2.5 30,000 9.32 3 36,000 11.18 3.5 42,000 13.04 4 48,000 14.91 5 60,000 18.63

Air conditioners and heat pumps are necessary equipment in many homes to make things comfortable. When wiring them, it’s crucially important to get things right for safety reasons and to reduce the number of electrical problems you’ll have down the road.

For a standard 3-ton residential air conditioner or heat pump, you’ll need a 20 amp breaker with 12-gauge wire. Air conditioners smaller than 3 tons often use a 15 amp breaker with 14-gauge wire, while larger units can use up to 60 amp breakers and 3-gauge aluminum wire or 4-gauge copper wire.

There are many variables to consider when choosing a breaker and wiring an air conditioner (AC) in your home. It can quickly become overwhelming if you’re inexperienced in this sort of thing. Below we’ll take a closer look at the different types of ACs and heat pumps to help you choose the correct breaker and wire size.

Figuring out precisely how many amps your heat pump will use is a tricky question to answer. Different sized heat pumps generally will provide you with varying amounts of amps used.

Still, the easiest way to break down these numbers would come down to what type of zone you are using.

The amps will change because of the different units and measurements used and accounted for. However, the numbers do remain relatively the same.

Given that information, a single zone heat pump uses around 15 to 20 amps while a dual or tri-zone uses 20 to 30 amps or more.

However, you may be wondering what exactly a single and dual-zone is in the first place. Let us break it down for you before we go any further.

Single zone: This heat pump is for using the machine for one outdoor or single condenser to the indoor head.

Multi-zone: As you may have already guessed, a multi-zone heat pump uses multiple indoor heads that connect to the outdoor condenser. These heads vary in size and create a comfort zone that allows you to cool or heat specific spaces within your home or area.

American Standard 3 ton data tag

Is the Circuit Breaker Size Listed on the Data Tag?

If you are like me and despise doing math on your own to find out what breaker size you will need for your heat pump, the first place you want to check out is the data tag.

Since tags provide a lot of information, you may be wondering if the breaker size is on it in the first place.

In that case, then yes, the right breaker size amount has been listed on the data plate. The information in itself would be on the side of the condenser.

Some manufacturers provide minimum wire size and maximum breaker sizes, while others offer the maximum fuse or breaker size you can use.

It’s worth noting in that same regard that not all manufacturers are created equal, and as such, you may have additional steps and information to sort through to find that precious heat pump data tag.

Doing a quick search on the manufactYou’ds website might yield the answers you are looking for a little shorter, but put in the extra effort to ensure you have the exact name, brand, and model before going on your journey for clarity.

How to Read the Heat Pump Label?

At first glance, sorting through the seemingly endless amounts of the information displayed on the label may look daunting.

Still, it gets much easier when you come to the understanding that a vast majority of it isn’t intended for your typical homeowner to grasp.

When looking at the label itself, there are truthfully only about nine of those labels that may be of any use, assuming, of course, you are not a certified electrician anyway.

Below, we will go over each of those nine different categories and explain their importance to you and why you would need to have that information on hand in the first place.

Goodman 2.5 ton package unit tag

1. Serial Number

While initiallIt’spearing to be a string of numbers, this sequence provides a few essential bits of information.

Still, the most notable of them would be that most manufacturers offer the manufactured year your condenser here.

In most cases, that number just so happens to be the first or second pair of numbers appearing in the sequence.

Still, some manufacturers use letters and numbers instead. Building-Center.org is a good resource for determining the age of your HVAC and other mechanical equipment.

2. Model Number

Making its grand appearance next would be the model number, which thankfully is made more evident than some other more reclusive bits of information we will go over. From the model number, we can determine the size of heat pump you have.

The model number allows us to gleam the cooling capacity of this particular heat pump by using two specific numbers located in the middle of this string of numbers.

These two particular numbers are always divisible by six. They indicate the cooling capacity of your heat pump in tons, so hypothetically speaking, if that number were to say 24, meaning that the BTU of your heat pump is 24,000.

You’d want to remove the thousands portion of the number and remember that every 12,000 BTU of cooling capacity equals precisely 1 ton. This tells us that the hypothetical 24,000 BTU heat pump has a cooling capacity of 2 tons.

Usually, you can also estimate the SEER rating from the model number as well.

3. Whether or Not it is Factory Charged

On the smaller side of practical knowledge, but it is readily available as well, this line indicates whether or not your pump is using the old R-22 refrigerant, which is slowly pulled from circulation, or the newer, industry-standard R-410A.

4. Running Load Amperage, or RLA for Short.

In this part of the label, you get told just how many amps will be pulled when you initially start your compressor’s motor.

5. Locked Rotor Amperage, or LRA for Short

Here you’ll find out just how much electricity is required to start the compressor itself.

While it may seem unimportant at first, the number itself is needed to know just how much electricity you would need to run your entire system off of a generator should the need arise.

It’s imperative to note that you will need a generator that can handle several times the average amount of current required to kick start things in the first place.

In most cases, five times the average generated amount is sufficient but refer to your owner’s manual for specific details regarding your heat pump specifically.

Next, we will discuss the max breaker size for a heat pump or air conditioning unit.

6. Maximum Amp Circuit Breaker or Fuse Size

Finally, we come around to some static (no pun intended) consistent information, this indicates the maximum rating amount of electricity your amp circuit breaker can handle before tripping, and this number is always precisely double the amount of your RLA.

Fortunately, the max breaker size (or it may say max fuse size) is included on the label. Some manufacturers include this for both US and Canada. Often the US and Canada maximum breaker sizes are the same.

Few times in life are the answers given to us quickly. When your manufacturer makes the heat pump, it can very well be handed to you on a silver platter without going through the tedious process of decoding those two seemingly random numbers in the serial number we discussed.

Should you be lucky enough to have a heat pump with just such a label, then count yourself lucky. More often than not, this information is located directly beneath a barcode for reference, but this may not always be the case. Most manufacturers insert the year in a two-digit form in the serial number.

8. Cooling Air Conditioner or Heat Pump

Even if you are a master electrician and can distinguish between the two with a passing glance, having the title given to you is always pleasant.

Here your labeling will tell you whether or not the unit you are looking at is an AC, or its slightly more energy-efficient cousin, the heat pump.

You can also peer inside the condenser to see if the reversing valve is there. If it has a reversing valve, it is a heat pump. Air conditioners do not have a reversing valve.

9. Name of the Manufacturer

Bringing things full circle, we come to the last bit of info required, and sometimes the easiest to establish, just who built the product you are looking at.

Typically this is in tiny print and can either be the full name or something abbreviated, but you will have some manner of indication as to who made the product here.

Circuit Breaker Requirements Based On Unit Tonnage

It is standard to measure air conditioner and heat pump size based on tonnage. When choosing a unit for your home, you’ll often see ACs and heat pumps ranging from 0.5 tons up to 5 tons, and sometimes even larger. But what exactly does it mean when an AC unit is “one ton,” and how does that help choose breaker size?

Regarding HVAC units, a ton refers to the amount of air a system can cool in a single hour. In regards to heat, one ton equals 11,917 British Thermal Units (BTU) per hour, often rounded up to a flat 12,000 BTU/hour. 12,000 BTU/hour can generally cool 500 to 600 square feet.

Now that you know a little about how to measure air conditioner and heat pump capacity, let’s look at the different common tonnages for these units and what breaker size each requires.

Unit Size (tons) Draw (Amps) BTU/Hour Cooling Area (sq. ft) Breaker Size (Amps) 1 4-8 12,000 500-600 15 1.5 6-12 18,000 750-900 15 2 8-16 24,000 1,000-1,200 15-20 2.5 10-20 30,000 1,250-1,500 20-30 3 12-24 36,000 1,500-1,800 20-30 3.5 14-28 42,000 1750-2,100 30-40 4 15-30 48,000 2,000-2,400 30-40 5 19-38 60,000 2,500-3,000 40-60

Breaker Sizes for Different Size AC and Heat Pump Units

There are a wide variety of air conditioners and heat pumps on the market, so it should come as no surprise that there are many variables to consider when choosing a breaker size for your unit. There are three main types of air conditioners and heat pumps used in residential buildings:

Central

Mini-split

Window

Each air conditioner type has different power requirements. Central systems often require the most power, while window units require the least.

Unit Type BTU/Hour Breaker Size (Amps) Typical Voltage Central AC 24,000-60,000 20-60 220V Mini-Split AC 12,000-24,000 15-20 220V Window AC 6,000-12,000 15 110V

Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

Most modern homes built in the last few decades have a central air conditioning system or heat pump. A central system cools or heats air at a central compressor unit and then distributes the cooled air throughout the residence through ductwork.

Central air conditioners and heat pumps are some of the largest units that you’ll find in a residential home. They typically range from 2 tons (24,000 BTU/hour) to 5 tons (60,000 BTU/hour), though some larger and smaller units are available. Most central units run on 220V or the equivalent.

The circuit breaker requirements for central air conditioning systems vary widely depending on the unit’s size. For a typical central air conditioner or heat pump, expect to need a breaker between 15 to 60 amps. Smaller 2-ton central units need a 20 amp breaker, while larger 5-ton units often require a 60 amp breaker.

The exact breaker size that you need primarily depends on your air conditioner, so make sure to check the requirements usually printed on the compressor unit or consult the table above.

Mini-Split Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

Mini-split air conditioners and heat pumps are very popular and excellent at cooling a relatively small space, at least compared to a central AC system. Mini-split ACs have an outdoor compressor unit and an indoor evaporator unit, with refrigerant and electrical lines running between the two.

Mini-split air conditioners and heat pumps come in various sizes, but you can generally find units between 1 ton (12,000 BTU/hour) and 2 tons (24,000 BTU/hour). They don’t have nearly the capacity of a central air conditioning unit, but a 2-ton mini-split can still cool areas up to about 1,200 square feet. Most mini-split units run on 220V or the equivalent.

While there are small and larger mini-split units, most fall into the range of 1 to 2 tons. Subsequently, you can use a 15 amp circuit breaker for most mini-splits, though you may need to use a 20 amp breaker for some of the larger units. You can often find exact requirements for breaker size printed on your mini-split compressor unit.

Window Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

Window air conditioners and heat pumps are incredibly portable, easy to install, and energy-efficient, so it’s no surprise that they are very popular. Most of the time, you’ll find a window unit set in a window opening and plugged into a regular 110V/120V outlet.

Window units are some of the smallest air conditioners and heat pumps that you can buy, excluding portable units, of course. Window air conditioners and heat pumps can typically manage up to 500 square feet and range from 0.5 tons (6,000 BTU/hour) to 1 ton (12,000 BTU/hour).

With a power draw of about 4-8 amps, you don’t need a large circuit breaker for window units. A standard 15 amp breaker is sufficient for a window air conditioner or heat pump in almost every case.

Wire Requirements for Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

Equally important as choosing the correct breaker for your air conditioner or heat pump is choosing the correct wire gauge. You typically measure wire gauge according to the American Wire Gauge, often abbreviated to AWG.

Below is a quick reference table to help you decide what wire gauge is best for your situation based on your circuit breaker size:

Breaker Size (Amps) Aluminum Wire Size (AWG) Copper Wire Size (AWG) 15 #12 #14 20 #10 #12 30 #8 #10 40 #6 #8 50 #6 #8 60 #4 #6

The above table is by no means a definitive guide to which wire gauge you should use, but it is a good rule-of-thumb. If you’re ever unsure, error on the side of caution and use a larger wire gauge than you think you need to be on the safe side.

Small mini-split systems and window units often require a 15 amp breaker, so a 12-gauge aluminum wire or a 14-gauge copper wire is usually suitable. Larger mini-split systems and central air conditioners or heat pumps utilize much larger breakers, so make sure to use an appropriately smaller wire gauge.

If you’re unsure whether the wire you’re using is copper or aluminum, look at the wire’s outer insulation, where it’s often labeled. You can also cut the ends of the wire to check it visually: copper wire is golden brown, while wire made from aluminum is dull gray. Always check the inside of the wire and not the outside to see past any coating or wrapping.

How to Find Your AC or Heat Pump’s Ideal Breaker and Wire Size

So far, we’ve discussed the general breaker and wire sizes that you should use for different air conditioners and heat pump units. But what about your specific unit and situation? Luckily, you can find this out pretty quickly with all of the above information and by looking at a label on your compressor unit.

Find Your Unit’s Minimum Ampacity – There should be a white label with black lettering on your air conditioner or heat pump’s compressor unit (the outdoor unit). Check the label to find your specific unit’s minimum ampacity. It’s often given in amps and labeled “Minimum Circuit Ampacity.” Find Your Unit’s Maximum Ampacity – Again, look on your AC or heat pump’s compressor unit for the label to find the minimum ampacity. It’s often given in amps and labeled “Overcurrent Protective Device Max.” Choose the Correct Breaker Size – Choose a circuit breaker that can handle more amps than the minimum ampacity but not one that’s over your unit’s maximum ampacity.

For example, suppose that a unit’s minimum ampacity is 42 amps and its maximum is 60 amps. In this case, you should use a 50 amp breaker because it is the next step above the minimum ampacity but still below the maximum ampacity. Use 6-gauge aluminum wire or 8-gauge copper wire.

Do AC Units and Heat Pumps Need Double-Pole Breakers?

Double-pole circuit breakers often look like two single-pole breakers fused together. A double-pole breaker has two hot wires with one neutral wire. If either of the hot wires causes the circuit to trip, both switch off. A double pole breaker can handle two 120V circuits, but you use them more often for a single 220V circuit.

Most large air conditioning units and heat pumps run on 220V and require their own circuit with a double-pole circuit breaker. Smaller window units can run on 120V, so you could put one on a single-pole breaker using only one of the hot wire slots.

What If You Don’t Use the Correct Size Breaker or Wire?

Now that you know a little about wiring air conditioners and heat pumps using the correct size wire and circuit breaker, you’re probably wondering: “What if I don’t do it right?” This question is a valid concern for many amateurs working on their home’s electrical, so let’s take a look.

Incorrect Wire Size

Choosing the correct wire gauge for the amount of power going to your air conditioner or heat pump is crucial to get right. It can get confusing if you’re not careful because lower gauge wire can handle more power than higher gauge wire.

Lower

If you use a lower gauge wire for an air conditioner or heat pump, everything should be completely fine. It’s better to use a lower gauge wire over a higher one because it can handle more current than necessary and keeps things running smoothly.

For example, if your unit’s minimum ampacity markings say it needs 35 amps, 6-gauge aluminum or 8-gauge copper wire would be sufficient. However, using a smaller 4-gauge aluminum or 6-gauge copper wire would be just fine.

Higher

Using a higher gauge wire for an air conditioner or heat pump can be catastrophic, and you should avoid making this mistake at all costs. A higher gauge wire that cannot handle the supplied current is a significant fire hazard.

For example, if a unit’s power needs require you to use 8-gauge wire, but instead you use 12-gauge wire, it can cause severe problems.

Incorrect Breaker Size

Whether it’s accidental or you simply don’t have the proper hardware on hand, here is what happens if you put in an improper breaker when wiring an air conditioner unit.

Lower

If you install a circuit breaker with a lower amperage capacity than your air conditioner or heat pump requires, it can be a massive headache. While installing a lower amp breaker usually doesn’t present a safety issue, it will cause the breaker to trip nearly constantly.

For example, if your wiring and unit require you to install a 30 amp breaker, but you install a 20 amp one, it will continuously trip and make using your air conditioner nearly impossible.

Higher

Using a higher amp breaker than the recommended size can cause serious problems. It will allow more power than expected before tripping, causing your wiring to melt and potentially start a fire. However, if your wiring is the correct gauge to handle the power and your unit has built-in overcurrent protection, things should be fine.

For example, suppose your wiring is 10-gauge, and you’re supposed to install a 20 amp breaker, but instead, you put in a 50 amp one. The wiring is not strong enough to handle the added current and can be a severe fire hazard.

Conclusion

Understanding the intricacies of your HVAC system, the wiring, and the subtle other nuances that make it work can be complicated and far too much work for some people.

If you ever feel overwhelmed or simply out of depth, consider consulting a professional for even more in-depth guidance.

How Many Amps Does a 1-5 Ton Central AC Unit Use?

Your central air conditioner or heat pump uses 3 to 21 amps based on its size and efficiency.

A 3 ton AC in the SEER range from 14 to 24 SEER will use 7.5 to 12.3 amps. Our Central Air Conditioner Amps Calculator below is simple to use and gives you a precise answer to the question – How many amps does a central AC use?

There’s a quick Table below that does the calculation for you, to some extent. It gives amp ranges for 1 to 5 ton AC units with efficiency ratings of 14, the current minimum, to 25, just about the current maximum.

Central Air Conditioner Amp Draw Calculator

There’s little to explain on this central AC amps calculator, but we’ll walk through it below the calculator. Go ahead and give it a try, and if something doesn’t make sense, check out the descriptions below.

Central AC Unit Amp Draw Calculator Air Conditioner Capacity (Ton): * Efficiency (SEER): * Volt (V): * Payment options

Here’s a quick example of how to use the calculator. Again, instructions are below.

Example: How many amps does a 2 ton air conditioner use?

Answer: Type “2” in the Capacity Box. Type the Efficiency in that SEER box and the voltage in the Volt (V) box. Your answer will be calculated.

A 2 ton 16 SEER AC draws 8.24 amps. A 2 ton 20 SEER AC draws only 6.59 amps while an inefficient 8 SEER AC uses 16.48 amps.

Step 1: Air Conditioner Capacity in Tons

Central air conditioners continue to be listed in tons. One ton equals 12,000 BTU.

Enter the number of tons in the first box.

Amps per ton: If you work through the range of options, you’ll see that air conditioner amps per ton are about 4 amps for a 16 SEER unit. Air conditioner amps per ton rises when efficiency is lower; it goes down when efficiency increases.

If you know the capacity in tons for your AC or heat pump, you can skip down to step 2.

Where do I find AC tons? How many tons is my AC?

There are two easy places to find how many tons your AC is.

1). Your Owner’s Manual should contain a page or insert that has the specifics of your condensing unit – either your air conditioner or heat pump. The information might be handwritten or typed. It will include Model Number, Serial Number and other information.

The number of tons might be written plainly. Options for heat pumps and central air conditioner sizes are: 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 5.0 tons.

If written in BTUs, divide the number by 12,000, since 1 ton = 12,000 BTU. For example, if the sheet lists the unit as 36,000 BTU, then divide the number by 12,000 to get 3 tons.

2). On the label on the side or back of the AC or heat pump condensing unit. Do the math explained above, if needed.

Step 2: Efficiency – SEER

Central AC and heat pump cooling efficiency is rated in SEER – seasonal energy efficiency ratio.

Enter your AC or heat pump efficiency. It will be between 8 and about 24.

It can be found in the same locations the capacity in tons is found – on the unit or in literature given you when it was installed. You can also search the brand and model number to find its SEER rating.

Step 3: Volt (V)

Once again, this information is found in the literature or on the label on the outside of the condensing unit jacket. Or you can search it online.

Most central air conditioners and heat pumps are 230 volts, though they can be run on 208 volts, which will increase the amps it draws by about 10%.

Enter the voltage of your AC or heat pump.

Pro Tip: You might have a 240V breaker and line feeding power to the condensing unit. But the unit will only use its rated voltage – 230V or 208V.

Results

As you enter the information above, the Result will automatically change.

When all the information is correct, view your Result – the number of amps the unit uses to run. These are not starting amps. A boost in starting amps is achieved through the use of a built-in start capacitor which stores extra energy to use the next time the compressor starts.

Did you know? Pick HVAC has also developed a BTU to Watts Calculator if you’re interested in how many watts your unit uses. You’ll need to know the EER, not the SEER, for your AC. If all you know is the SEER, use the Pick HVAC EER to SEER Calculator to find EER. Input SEER, and the EER rating will automatically be calculated.

How Many Amps Does an AC Use? Summary Amperage Chart

This central air conditioner amperage chart is based on 16 SEER, the most common AC efficiency. It’s for quick reference. Once again, the calculator is the way to find the most accurate information.

How many amps does a 1-5 Ton ac unit draw?

Air Conditioner Capacity (Ton) BTU Amps 1 Ton 12,000 BTU 3.73 amps 1.5 Ton 18,000 BTU 5.59 amps 2 Ton 24,000 BTU 7.45 amps 2.5 Ton 30,000 BTU 9.32 amps 3 Ton 36,000 BTU 11.18 amps 3.5 Ton 42,000 BTU 13.04 amps 4 Ton 48,000 BTU 14.91 amps 5 Ton 60,000 BTU 18.63 amps

* Based on 230v and 16 seer.

Amps = BTU / ((SEER*0.875) x Volt)

How do you use the chart? A few examples will help.

Example 1: How many amps does a 5 ton AC draw?

Find 5 Ton in the Air Conditioner Capacity column at the left of the table. The center column shows the equivalent in BTU. Amps is in the right column. A 5 ton AC draws 18.63 amps if it is 16 SEER. Use the Calculator to determine how many amps a 5 ton AC uses if it is not 16 SEER.

Example 2: How many amps does a 3 ton heat pump use?

A heat pump and an AC use the same amount of electricity when in AC mode. So, find 3 Ton in the left column. In the right column, find your answer. A 3 ton 16 SEER AC draws 11.18 amps. The more efficient the 3 ton AC is, the fewer amps it draws.

FAQ

Here are related questions with answers.

What size wire for a 15-40 amp circuit?

Wire size needed for 15 to 40 amp breaker capacities ranges from #6 to #14. This Breaker Wire Size Chart gives details.

Total Unit Amps Circuit Breaker Amps Wire Size 0-12 Amp 15 Amp 14 Gauge 13-16 Amp 20 Amp 12 Gauge 17-24 Amp 30 Amp 10 Gauge 25-32 Amp 40 Amp 8 Gauge 33-48 Amp 60 Amp 6 Gauge

10/2 or 10/3 wire for air conditioner?

10/2 is the standard choice for a central AC or air conditioner of any kind. This is because a 10/2 wire is appropriate for appliances using one voltage.

A 10/3 wire is used for dual voltage machines. For example, an electric clothes dryer motor runs on 120V and the heat elements require 240V, so a 10/3 wire would handle both.

So you have finished reading the 4 ton ac unit how many amps topic article, if you find this article useful, please share it. Thank you very much. See more: 5 ton 3 phase ac unit, 5 ton ac unit 3 phase amps, how many amps does a 3.5 ton ac use, how many amps does a 3 ton air conditioner use, air conditioner amperage chart, 5 ton ac power consumption per hour, 60 amp breaker for ac unit, 2.5 ton ac unit amp draw

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