International Association of Certified Home Inspectors
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| Electrical Contains discussions about electrical systems. This includes outlets, panels, wiring, et cetera. |
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#1
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Please Note:
jweinberg is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
The data plate of this fairly new Exterior Trane A/C unit shows a minimum circuit ampacity of 17 Amps and is provided with a 12 AWG Cu (rated for 20 Amp) conductor connected to a 30 Amp breaker (unit disconnect also has 30 amp fuses).
I figure that this is so the breaker doesn't trip at start up each time. But the question I have is.....should the conductor be a 10 AWG Cu (for 30 amps) or is the 12 AWG CU considered okay since the start up surge is so short and unlikely to damage the 12 AWG Cu or create a fire hazard. My feeling is that the conductor is too small.....but wanted to check it out before submitting my report (later tonight) |
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#2
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Please Note:
Marc D. Shunk is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Quote:
It is quite common to see a great disparity between the breaker ampacity and the wire gauge for AC compressor feeds. This is completely permissible. "Wire to the min, breaker to the max", are the limits of this rule when reading the dataplate. |
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#3
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Very well put Thanks Gerry Virtue is more to be feared than vice, because its excesses are not subject to the regulation of conscience. Adam Smith (1723-1790) Commercial property Inspection Tampa, Orlando, Sarasota, Jacksonville, Ft Launderdale, Miami, Florida. NACHI cell 484-429-5466 NACHI02121106
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#4
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Please Note:
Marc D. Shunk is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Quote:
I just noticed that this Trane dataplate also notes "min fuse or breaker size". That's something you seldom see noted on a dataplate. I suspect they do this to assure trouble-free future operation and not to mitigate any particular hazard. Usually it's just "min circuit ampacity", which relates to the wire gauge, and "max fuse or breaker size", which relates to the overcurrent protection size. Last edited by Marc D. Shunk; 1/21/08 at 11:48 PM.. |
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#5
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BTW, down here duplicating it in Spanish would be a huge plus!! Regards Gerry Virtue is more to be feared than vice, because its excesses are not subject to the regulation of conscience. Adam Smith (1723-1790) Commercial property Inspection Tampa, Orlando, Sarasota, Jacksonville, Ft Launderdale, Miami, Florida. NACHI cell 484-429-5466 NACHI02121106
Last edited by gbeaumont; 1/21/08 at 11:59 PM.. |
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#6
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Please Note:
jweinberg is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Quote:
I've seen both min and max listed a lot but rarely have I seen them both listed at the same breaker size for both min and max. Figured this why there may be a need for 10 AWG. Thanks for your answer....I liked the quote....easy to remember. Gerry....are you claiming it as your quote originally? Thanks again... Jeff |
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#7
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Please Note:
jweinberg is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Quote:
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#8
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Regards Gerry Virtue is more to be feared than vice, because its excesses are not subject to the regulation of conscience. Adam Smith (1723-1790) Commercial property Inspection Tampa, Orlando, Sarasota, Jacksonville, Ft Launderdale, Miami, Florida. NACHI cell 484-429-5466 NACHI02121106
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#9
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Congradulations guys this is the way a message board is suppp0se to work ask a question get an answer. I used to have a good friend and tool buddy that drove me crazy in a good sort of way you could ask him the time of day and he would tell you how to build a watch. Keep up the good work
Freedom Express Inspections LLC CMOR Thermography Certified Level 11 #2097 freedomexpressinspections.com freedomexpress495@att.net NACHI Member Okla. State DEQ Environmental Phase One Certified Master HVAC Mechanic (Retired) Certified Universal Freon by 40CFR 82 Sub-part F Professional Home Inspector State License # 130 Reporting system by Home Inspector Pro Serving the State of Okla. |
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#10
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Please Note:
Marc D. Shunk is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Quote:
Not every question has quite as straightforward of an answer as this one did. |
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#11
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Please Note:
Greg Fretwell is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Quote:
If you have the AC on more than the heat you probably want the vapor barrier on the top where the warm moist air usually is. |
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#12
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Please Note:
relliott is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
I agree Marc as you do provide straight answers.
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#13
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Please Note:
jweinberg is a non-member guest and is in no way affiliated with InterNACHI or its members.
Quote:
Pretty dry in San Jose California. Definately more furnace days than Air Cond days. Need A/C about 5-10 days per year. Furnace for 60-90 days/year. |
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