What is this breaker?

How does the wire know where it is?? The border doesn't change anything.

The extent of the voltage drop varies in direct proportion to the length of the undersized wire. Notice the WILL and MAY. WILL cause some voltage drop. MAY be significant and significant voltage drop MAY cause increased current draw which MAY cause the breaker to trip

How does the wire know where it is?? The border doesn't change anything. Or are you saying (and you could well be correct) that US wire is substandard compared to Canadian wire? (I know we are not allowed to use American cable that does not have CSA or ULC approval stamp)

The Central vac is NOT hard wired

Yes 2 circuits are available - had no need for the "second" circuit so it was just a wasted slot in my panel. An AC unit SHOULD be on a dedicated circuit in any case - and connecting 2 AC unit circuits to the tandem breaker would help load ballance - - - if they were both operating.

They are "listed" for 15 amps - but each side of a duplex receptacle is capable of handling 15 amps - and each side is a separate outlet - connected EXTERNALLY by removeable links. (so each "device"- being duplex is actually capable of handling 30amps - but that was not what I was getting at. To be CSA listed for 15 amps they are tested at 150%

- that's roughly 22 amps - constant load - and at that load a normal

Due to tolerances, below 1.4X (or about 22 Amps), it might never trip. Between 1X and 1.4 X, it might run for several hours before tripping, if it does. Below 2X rated current (30A) it won't trip until at least

The border must change things. In the US #14 loaded to 20 amps may cause a fire. In the US it is a code violation. Is it a code violation in Canada?

The extent of the voltage drop varies in direct proportion to the length of ANY wire. For a short #14 circuit voltage drop is not a problem.

In the US #14 with 60° insulation is rated 15A (not free air).

What is the rating in Canada (not free air).

Does Canada allow #14 wire to be on a 20A circuit?

Your advice appears to be substandard.

I assumed your vac was plug connected, but it is a dedicated circuit. What you describe is the about same as the NEC method to protect hardwired motors, but your vac isn't hardwired.

In the US it is a code violation to protect a #14 dedicated circuit with a 20A breaker.

Is it a code violation in Canada?

What do the installation instructions say?

The OP air conditioners are on a general purpose circuits. All the air conditioners like the ones the OP has are likely on a general purpose circuit. They are easily moved.

Sure, but fairly irrelevant. Also balanced with individual breakers on different legs. With random circuit connections to either leg a panel is not likely to be seriously unbalanced.

Your information on high magnetic trip breakers was interesting. Your advice has gone downhill since.

No idea what you do in Canada.

In the US a 15A duplex receptacle is rated 15A each half and 20A TOTAL in any combination between the 2 halves. Also 20A wired through the connection strap (in one screw, out the other).

Clare's 30A is completely separating the 2 halves and putting them on different 15A circuits. Each half would then be rated 15A and couldn't be connected to a 20A circuit.

"Below 2X rated current (30A)..." You can connect it to 30A in Canada?

Test ratings are not particularly useful. The rating is up to 15A from each side, 20A total.

Exorcism?

It is a code violation in Canada. 20 amps on a #14 wire MAY cause a fire - but the chances are EXTREMELY slim.

Canadian code does not allow #14 wire on a 20 amp circuit under normal conditions - but under some conditions it is allowed both in Canada and the USA.

My advice ? The central vac situation is a light grey area as the vacuum has it's own (thermal trip only 13 amp) current limit protection so the panel breaker is ONLY short circuit protection. I say "light grey" because it is not hard wired - which the code allows for both in Canada and the USA - one of those "some conditions"

My "advice" is still to use a 15 amp high magnetic single pole breaker if available, or a 2 pole 15 amp (high magnetic by default) breaker if panel space allows.

Personally "I" would be comfortable with the 20 amp under the specific condition

Talking about "substandard advice" - who else knew about high magnetic breakers? Apparently not you - - - - Nobody else mentioned it. And the information I supplied about the cable was from a Canadian code document. Canadian code and certification virtually ALWAYS excedes American code when it comes to safety requirements.

Your "American Exeptionalism" bias is showing.

Code violation in Canada too

Those roll-around portable "sir conditioners" are a joke. Many window mount air conditioners and virtually all "sleave mount" units are recommended for a dedicated circuit - many of them reccoment a 20 amp circuit as well (10,000 BTU). In the past I have used all of them.

Random distribution is extremely likely to be unbalanced while 2 pole breakers are always, by default, on opposite legs.

As noted I did not "reccomend" a 20 amp breaker on a #14 wire. I just said in THIS SITUATION "I" would be comfortable with it.

This was NOT advice for the OP's AC. Your "IN CANADA" attacks just show you to be argumentative - and NOTHING you have contributed has been of any value to the OP.

THE most likely solution to the OP's problem is my recommendation - the High Magnetic breaker.

No Idea what you do in the USA either. I suspect you are NOT a licensed electrician, nor have you been a registered apprentice

By the way, I'm "retired" - 3 times - not saying what from.

So you admit a "15 amp" receptacle is rated for 20 amps - correct? What are you arduing about??????

No Not 30, but 20. However it CAN supply 30 amps when connected to a "split" or "shared neutral" or as you Americans call it, an "Edison" circuit - using a tied trip dual (2 pole) 15 amp breaker. I don't think there is any prohibition specifically relating to an Edison circuit regarding putting a 15 amp outlet on a 20 amp circuit - I could be wrong - I have not searched current code (or within the last 10 years)

Which is what I said. Again, what's your argurment????

There is NO device approved for sale or use in Canada (and I suspect it is the same in the USA) that draws over 15 amps nominally that is supplied with a 15 amp plug, so over 15 amp draw on one side of a duplex 15 amp receptacle is a red herring to start with.

Rather unlikely

Good advice in any case. I installed one when I replaced my fuse panel with 125 amp Square D QO panel.

I am thinking of replacing every breaker on a ac or refrig with your recommendation. Also adding a surge suppressor.

I hope to be able to talk to the electrician tomorrow.

Not 15 and 20A branch circuits to receptacles.

But not for 15 & 20A branch circuits connected to receptacles..

I said twice it was interesting information.

Cite. Codes are likely very similar. One reason is so products can be used in both countries.

Not at all. The problem is your practice or interpretation of Canadian code.

Portable air conditioners are not my favorite but are much easier to 'install' than window units. They are likely to work on a 15A low load branch circuit (as a result are probably relatively low BTU rating). Sleeve units require specific construction and dedicated receptacle would be included. Window air comes in many sizes including some that require a dedicated 240V circuit.

In th OP's case the current rating hasn't come up because the A/C normally works.

I have never seen a panel where unbalance was a problem including 60A services.

The wisdom of Clare: #14 on a 20A breaker is "actually only dangerous if the circuit is overloaded"

"#14AWG wire loaded to 20 amps will not cause a fire."

#14 "wire MAY cause a fire - but the chances are EXTREMELY slim"

You have a habit of coming up with strange electrical advice.

Yea sure.

Certainly might.

Licensed master electrician.

Automotive and computer are two. I always read your comments on automotive and small engine type threads. Computer is less often a subject and many people are good.

It was partly another answer to Jim Joyce Your description never said a 15A receptacle was rated 20A combined My description was more complete - like side strap Your answer was littered testing and tolerances that are irrelevant.

I read it as breaking both links for 2 separate circuits.

(I never saw "Edison circuit" until I saw it here. In the NEC it is a "multiwire branch circuit" and that includes a 3-ph 4-wire wye circuit.)

Again see above.

Don't remember anything relevant in the thread.

It uses SmartWire.

It uses SmartWire. It's connected to GPS or something.