Danny Pritchard Posted April 8, 2004 Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 I always check the data plate on A/C units for the breaker size.Usually I find the breakers to be bigger than what is specified by the manufaturer.Today I found one that was undersized.The max. breaker to be used was 35 amps and the minimum breaker was 25 amps.There was a 20 amp breaker installed in the panel.Since these limits are specified by the manufacturer I called it out. I understand the problems assosciated with an oversized breaker.What would be the problems with one undersized?This was a 7 year old heat pump with no apparent problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Morrison Posted April 8, 2004 Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 I'm hoping someone smarter than me will jump in and correct me if I'm wrong, but the only issue I can imagine an undersized breaker presenting is nuisance tripping. I'd point it out to my client like you did, but I don't think it could do any harm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian G Posted April 8, 2004 Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 Have you noticed how many of those *#@$%# things have an odd size specified. It's 35 instead of 30 or 40. You can get a 30 or 40 easily, but a lot of places don't stock "tweeners". As far as I know, most manufacturers don't make many either, other than a 15 amp. They almost invite the contractor to up-size the breaker. [:-irked] Brian G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry Simon Posted April 9, 2004 Report Share Posted April 9, 2004 Brian...and how about the goofy "minimum" ampacity supplies specified, for example, 31.2 amperes??? This is seen quite often. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Pritchard Posted April 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2004 "I'm hoping someone smarter than me will jump in and correct me if I'm wrong, but the only issue I can imagine an undersized breaker presenting is nuisance tripping. I'd point it out to my client like you did, but I don't think it could do any harm." Jim Morrison Lancaster, MA Thanks for the comments Jim.Besides any problems assosciated with an undersized breaker is what a home warranty company would say if a problem arose and the breaker was not as specified.Most buyers in this area get home warrantys. I know if the breaker is oversized and there is a problem they could void the warranty.I don't want to give them an out on fixing a problem because of an undersized breaker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisprickett Posted April 9, 2004 Report Share Posted April 9, 2004 I've seen whole towns blown up off the map because of an undersized breaker. If I'm not mistaken, an undersized breaker caused WWII. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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