You are looking for information, articles, knowledge about the topic nail salons open on sunday near me how many amps does a 5 ton ac use on Google, you do not find the information you need! Here are the best content compiled and compiled by the https://chewathai27.com team, along with other related topics such as: how many amps does a 5 ton ac use how many watts does a 5 ton ac unit use, how many amps does a 3 ton air conditioner use, how many amps does a 5 ton heat pump use, how many amps does a 3 ton heat pump use, 5 ton ac unit 3 phase amps, how many kwh does a 3 ton ac use, air conditioner amperage chart, 5 ton 3 phase ac unit
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.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.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.
AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP LOADS – TYPICAL | ||
---|---|---|
SIZE | BTU | Running Load |
2 Ton | 24,000 | 10 |
3 Ton | 36,000 | 15 |
4 Ton | 48,000 | 20 |
AC Capacity (Ton) | Electricity Usage (Per Hour) | Electricity Usage (Per Month) |
---|---|---|
3 Ton | 2.25 kWh | 1,620 kWh |
3.5 Ton | 2.63 kWh | 1,890 kWh |
4 Ton | 3.00 kWh | 2,160 kWh |
5 Ton | 3.75 kWh | 2,700 kWh |
Contents
What size breaker do I need for a 5 ton AC unit?
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.
How many amps does a 5 ton 16 SEER AC use?
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.
How many amps does a 4 ton AC use?
AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP LOADS – TYPICAL | ||
---|---|---|
SIZE | BTU | Running Load |
2 Ton | 24,000 | 10 |
3 Ton | 36,000 | 15 |
4 Ton | 48,000 | 20 |
How many kilowatts does a 5 ton AC use?
AC Capacity (Ton) | Electricity Usage (Per Hour) | Electricity Usage (Per Month) |
---|---|---|
3 Ton | 2.25 kWh | 1,620 kWh |
3.5 Ton | 2.63 kWh | 1,890 kWh |
4 Ton | 3.00 kWh | 2,160 kWh |
5 Ton | 3.75 kWh | 2,700 kWh |
What size wire is 60 amp?
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.
How many amps does a HVAC use?
Central air conditioning units require 208/240 volts. They must be hard wired and have a dedicated circuit. Units require anywhere from 15-60 amps depending on how many tons they are.
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.
How much electricity 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 3 ton AC unit?
You’ll need a generator between 7.5 kW and 20kW to run a 2-5 ton AC unit.
How many amps is a 7.5 ton AC?
Daikin 7.5 Ton 11.2 EER Two Stage Commercial Air Conditioner Condenser – 208/230V Three Phase | |
---|---|
Electrical | 208/230 V. 3 Phase 60 Hz |
Phase | Three Phase |
Max Breaker Size | 60 amps |
Min. Breaker Size | 39.2 amps |
How many amps are in a ton?
Ton (refrigeration) | Volt Ampere [V*A] |
---|---|
1 ton (refrigeration) | 3516.8528420667 V*A |
2 ton (refrigeration) | 7033.7056841333 V*A |
3 ton (refrigeration) | 10550.5585262 V*A |
5 ton (refrigeration) | 17584.264210333 V*A |
Can solar panels run a 5 ton AC unit?
The short answer: for a five-ton air conditioner, you’ll need 20 x 300-watt solar panels to run your AC for four hours a day during peak temperatures.
How many watts is 5 tons?
Central AC Unit Size (Ton) | Power (Watts) |
---|---|
3 ton | 2,940 Watts |
3.5 ton | 3,430 Watts |
4 ton | 3,920 Watts |
5 ton | 4,900 Watts |
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 type of circuit breaker is recommended for HVAC equipment?
A 35 Amp circuit breaker should be installed in the electric service panel for the air conditioner compressor unit according to the manufacturer’s identification label.
What size breaker do I need for my air handler?
The answer to that question is 60 amps for the air handler breaker size. If you want to be sure, you can read the manual that comes with the air conditioner. This way, you’ll know what the manufacturer recommends explicitly for that unit.
What size breaker do I need for a 3 ton AC?
For 3-ton AC units, the breaker size is typically 30-40 amp.
What size wire do I need for a 3 ton AC unit?
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.
What Size Generator To Run 5 Ton AC Unit? (Calculated) – LearnMetrics
- Article author: learnmetrics.com
- Reviews from users: 42143
Ratings
- Top rated: 3.9
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about What Size Generator To Run 5 Ton AC Unit? (Calculated) – LearnMetrics Updating …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for What Size Generator To Run 5 Ton AC Unit? (Calculated) – LearnMetrics Updating How big a generator do you need to run a 5 ton air conditioner? On average, 6,000 W power generator with 7,000 W max power output is enough.
- Table of Contents:
6000 W Generator For 5 Ton AC Unit
Relevant HVAC Certificates
Follow us on Facebook
HVAC metrics
You may also like
Recent Posts
![What Size Generator To Run 5 Ton AC Unit? (Calculated) - LearnMetrics](https://learnmetrics.com/wp-content/uploads/best-generator-for-5-ton-air-conditioner.jpg)
What Size Breaker For AC Unit? Explanation + Calculator + Chart
- Article author: learnmetrics.com
- Reviews from users: 6236
Ratings
- Top rated: 3.9
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about What Size Breaker For AC Unit? Explanation + Calculator + Chart Updating …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for What Size Breaker For AC Unit? Explanation + Calculator + Chart Updating
- Table of Contents:
AC Breaker Size Calculator
AC Breaker Sizes Chart (For 15-Ton To 5-Ton Units)
Relevant HVAC Certificates
Follow us on Facebook
HVAC metrics
You may also like
Recent Posts
![What Size Breaker For AC Unit? Explanation + Calculator + Chart](https://learnmetrics.com/wp-content/uploads/ac-breaker-sizes-in-amps.jpg)
How Many Amps Does a 1-5 Ton Central AC Unit Use? – PICKHVAC
- Article author: www.pickhvac.com
- Reviews from users: 35186
Ratings
- Top rated: 3.5
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about How Many Amps Does a 1-5 Ton Central AC Unit Use? – PICKHVAC Updating …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How Many Amps Does a 1-5 Ton Central AC Unit Use? – PICKHVAC Updating
- Table of Contents:
Central Air Conditioner Amp Draw Calculator
How Many Amps Does an AC Use Summary Amperage Chart
FAQ
AC Troubleshooting
Running an AC Unit
AC Common Parts
AC Repair Cost
![How Many Amps Does a 1-5 Ton Central AC Unit Use? - PICKHVAC](https://www.pickhvac.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/central-ac-amps-use-B.jpg)
Air conditioning and heat pump loads on a generator
- Article author: www.generatorjoe.net
- Reviews from users: 28792
Ratings
- Top rated: 4.2
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about Air conditioning and heat pump loads on a generator Updating …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Air conditioning and heat pump loads on a generator Updating Chart showing how many kw and amp an air conditioner & heat pump uses. Air conditioning and heat pump loads on a generator.
- Table of Contents:
![Air conditioning and heat pump loads on a generator](https://i0.wp.com/wpsites.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/icon-after-more-link.png)
Air conditioning and heat pump loads on a generator
- Article author: www.pickhvac.com
- Reviews from users: 36085
Ratings
- Top rated: 3.4
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about Air conditioning and heat pump loads on a generator Updating …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Air conditioning and heat pump loads on a generator Updating Chart showing how many kw and amp an air conditioner & heat pump uses. Air conditioning and heat pump loads on a generator.
- Table of Contents:
![Air conditioning and heat pump loads on a generator](https://i0.wp.com/wpsites.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/icon-after-more-link.png)
Air conditioning and heat pump loads on a generator
- Article author: www.generatorjoe.net
- Reviews from users: 38294
Ratings
- Top rated: 3.9
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about Air conditioning and heat pump loads on a generator Updating …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Air conditioning and heat pump loads on a generator Updating Chart showing how many kw and amp an air conditioner & heat pump uses. Air conditioning and heat pump loads on a generator.
- Table of Contents:
![Air conditioning and heat pump loads on a generator](https://i0.wp.com/wpsites.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/icon-after-more-link.png)
How many amps does a 5 ton AC use?
- Article author: homex.com
- Reviews from users: 23353
Ratings
- Top rated: 4.7
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about How many amps does a 5 ton AC use? 10 Amps per ton is the rule of thumb for single phase. …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for How many amps does a 5 ton AC use? 10 Amps per ton is the rule of thumb for single phase. 10 Amps per ton is the rule of thumb for single phase.
- Table of Contents:
Please use Google Chrome Firefox Safari or another browser to access homexcom Thank you
Let’s Get It Fixed!
Shop Recommended ProductsShop HomeX Recommended Products
More Home Questions
![How many amps does a 5 ton AC use?](https://homex.com/static/brand/x-icon-jadeBG.png)
Error 403 (Forbidden)
- Article author: www.quora.com
- Reviews from users: 34640
Ratings
- Top rated: 4.7
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about Error 403 (Forbidden) A 5 ton AC handles 60,000 BTU and if the EER is 12 that means 5 kwatts. At 220 volts that’s about 25 amps (I adjusted for a power factor). But the compressor … …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for Error 403 (Forbidden) A 5 ton AC handles 60,000 BTU and if the EER is 12 that means 5 kwatts. At 220 volts that’s about 25 amps (I adjusted for a power factor). But the compressor …
- Table of Contents:
![Error 403 (Forbidden)](https://i0.wp.com/wpsites.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/icon-after-more-link.png)
5 Ton AC load | Mike Holt’s Forum
- Article author: forums.mikeholt.com
- Reviews from users: 17895
Ratings
- Top rated: 3.1
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about 5 Ton AC load | Mike Holt’s Forum By your own calculation, if the EER is 10 and the AC is 5 ton (60000 BTU), then the power use will be 60000 / 10 = 6000 KW. I was confusing COP … …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for 5 Ton AC load | Mike Holt’s Forum By your own calculation, if the EER is 10 and the AC is 5 ton (60000 BTU), then the power use will be 60000 / 10 = 6000 KW. I was confusing COP … Hi, I am curious to know what is the approximate Power consumption of a 5 Ton AC, doesnt matter if it is single or 3 phase.
I have seen wide ranges of…
- Table of Contents:
![5 Ton AC load | Mike Holt's Forum](https://i0.wp.com/wpsites.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/icon-after-more-link.png)
What Size Breaker For 3 Ton AC? – HVACseer.com
- Article author: hvacseer.com
- Reviews from users: 36202
Ratings
- Top rated: 4.3
- Lowest rated: 1
- Summary of article content: Articles about What Size Breaker For 3 Ton AC? – HVACseer.com 5 Ton AC- 60-70 amp breaker; AWG 4 wire. Should Air Conditioners Have A Dedicated Circuit Breaker? Before purchasing or even plugging in an air … …
- Most searched keywords: Whether you are looking for What Size Breaker For 3 Ton AC? – HVACseer.com 5 Ton AC- 60-70 amp breaker; AWG 4 wire. Should Air Conditioners Have A Dedicated Circuit Breaker? Before purchasing or even plugging in an air …
- Table of Contents:
What Size Breaker For 3 Ton AC
Why Does Having The Right Breaker Size Matter In AC Installations
How To Compute AC Breaker Size
List Of Air Conditioning Units Capacities And Their Breaker And Wire Sizes
Should Air Conditioners Have A Dedicated Circuit Breaker
Why Should You Have A Dedicated Circuit Breaker For Your Air Conditioner
How To Know If There Is A Dedicated Circuit Breaker For Your Air Conditioner
What Are The Benefits Of Having A Dedicated Circuit Breaker For Your Air Conditioner
Causes Of AC Breaker Tripping
Final Thoughts
![What Size Breaker For 3 Ton AC? - HVACseer.com](https://hvacseer.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Electrician-Wearing-Gloves-Doing-testing-in-Circuit-Breaker-e1653537372974.jpg)
See more articles in the same category here: https://chewathai27.com/toplist.
What Size Generator To Run 5 Ton AC Unit? (Calculated)
5 ton AC unit is one of the biggest that can be powered by a generator.
A 5 ton AC unit generates an outstanding 60,000 BTU of cooling power. This is enough to cool down up to 3000 square feet home.
How many watts does it take to run such a 5-ton air conditioner?
5 ton AC wattage can be anywhere between 4,000W to 8,000W. That’s between 16 and 34 Amps (240V circuit).
It gets tricky when we try to determine the size of a generator that can run a 5 ton AC unit.
The key thing is to figure out the overall wattage of such a big central air conditioner. Here are 3 simple ways you can do that:
Check the specification sheet for Power (measured in Watts). Check the specification sheet for the EER rating. We can calculate wattage by dividing BTUs with EER rating; i.e. 60,000 BTU / 10 EER = 6,000W. Check the specification sheet for the current (I, measured in Amps) and voltage (V, measured in Volts). We can calculate wattage by multiplying current with voltage; i.e., 25 Amps * 240V = 6,000W.
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.
6,000 W Generator For 5 Ton AC Unit
For most 5-ton air conditioners, 6,000 W power generators will be more than enough. Of course, we also need to think about the start-up wattage. Because these AC units need a lot of power, the safe choice is to get a generator that can handle at least 7,000 W start-up wattage.
The best – and most popular – 5-ton AC unit generator is the Westinghouse WGen6000. It’s a 6,000W generator that can deliver up to 7,500W of power; perfect for a 5-ton air conditioner.
This will be more than enough to run a powerful air conditioner optimally.
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).
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 how many amps does a 5 ton ac use topic article, if you find this article useful, please share it. Thank you very much. See more: how many watts does a 5 ton ac unit use, how many amps does a 3 ton air conditioner use, how many amps does a 5 ton heat pump use, how many amps does a 3 ton heat pump use, 5 ton ac unit 3 phase amps, how many kwh does a 3 ton ac use, air conditioner amperage chart, 5 ton 3 phase ac unit