I got a window unit that is 18000btu and required a dedicated 220 outlet and 15 amp breaker. I used 10/2 wire. the AC unit turns on but does not do much else. I got it off of Facebook marketplace. I need to know if the unit is garbage or if the 10/2 wire is causing too much voltage drop. Please help. I am an broke amateur.
Wrong gauge wire or problematic AC unit?
May 31, 2020
15 Replies
10/2 wire is not your problem. It sounds like you bought a bad AC.
I had to run 10/3 with ground for my 1-1/2 ton garage unit but yours might be different. Depends on the controls I guess.
Have you checked the motor capacitors?
The wire should be adequate. Did you check that you are getting proper voltage? You say turns on. The fan? The compressor? Both? Was this a used unit?
I wish I knew how to do that. I'm afraid it may be a bad purchase.
Thank you. I was worried that the 10/2 wire was causing a serious voltage drop.
It was a used unit and a "good deal". I believe that the fan turns on but not the compressor. No cold air and then after about 2 minutes of running, it just quits again. I thought it may be a power problem with my wire/breaker combo. I really appreciate the help.
Since a 15a circuit only needs 14ga wire, #10 is 2 sizes larger, voltage drop is not your problem. I suppose you could have a bad connection. The 15a device might not have terminals rated for 10ga wire.
snipped-for-privacy@aol.com - - - Could it be the plug, or what are you saying? The terminals?
snipped-for-privacy@aol.com - - Also, I did not think you should run 14 ga wire for 220? i have so much to learn.
Likely a good reason the original owner sold it - but they should likely have thrown it away instead of "robbing" you.
Except then it wouldn't "run".
Wire size depends on amps, not volts. 14ga is OK on 240/15a.
Depends on whether it is "open" or just "loose".
Are you sure you wired it into a 240V breaker, that you're not maybe giving it
120V? This is where a VOM is handy.
Regardless - if it RAN and didn't COOL it is EXTREMELY UNLIKELY that the wire connection was at fault - or voltage drop on the wire. The OP bought a piece of scrap - 99.9%
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