When you decide to install a new air conditioner in your home, it’s important to know how to connect the unit to electricity. This will help you ensure the installation goes smoothly and will save you time in the long run.
Electrical Wiring
An air conditioning unit is connected to a circuit using a variety of wires, and these will differ depending on the type of model you have. The most common type of wiring used is a double-pole circuit that carries both 120 and 240 volts. You will also need to know the voltage rating of your new unit before completing this project.
The Voltage
The power that runs through your air conditioner comes from a main circuit breaker, usually located in your electrical panel inside your house. It is this breaker that will trip if your system uses more electricity than the circuit can safely handle.
This tripping is a common sign that your unit is using too much electricity, which can lead to an underlying issue. It’s a good idea to check your breaker often, as it is a great place to start troubleshooting electrical problems.
Capacitor Problems
If your air conditioning system is running slowly or stalling, there is likely an issue with the capacitor. Fortunately, this is fairly simple to fix, and can be done by a professional HVAC technician.
You should not try to replace the capacitor yourself if you don’t have any prior experience. This will not only damage the unit, but it could lead to more serious problems.
Whether you’re connecting your new air conditioning unit or installing an existing one, it’s critical to make sure that all the wiring is properly installed and in line with code. This can be a complicated task for homeowners who don’t have the proper skills or aren’t familiar with wiring, and is best left to professionals.
Service Disconnect Box
In order to meet code requirements for a new AC unit, you need to connect the new unit to a separate service disconnect box located outside the house. This is designed to protect the unit from overcurrent and allow you to turn the unit off in the event of an emergency.
It’s a good idea to have this installed before you complete the actual unit installation, since it will make the job easier and safer for you.
The connection should be made at the fuses and at the unit’s fused disconnect box, so that it is easy to turn off the unit in case of an emergency.
A fused disconnect box should be installed in the outdoor wall near your air conditioner condenser, and is a good idea to have this type of installation because it allows for proper overcurrent protection.
Alternatively, you can use a non-fused disconnect, but this is not recommended. This type of switch is only appropriate for situations where the breaker matches the maximum overcurrent protection listed by the manufacturer.
The final step is to connect the hoses and other components to the unit. You can find detailed instructions for this in your air conditioner’s owner’s manual or by reading the instruction sheet that came with your unit. You may need to adjust the connections to fit your new unit, but this is a relatively easy process.
