Hopefully, this article has given you a helpful overview, and you have a better understanding of how many amps a mini split will use. A larger 12,000 BTU unit draws between 9 and 13 amps. This tells us that the hypothetical 24,000 BTU heat pump has a cooling capacity of 2 tons. Mini-split air conditioners and heat pumps are very popular and excellent at cooling a relatively small space compared to a central AC system. The 2 Ton or 24000 BTU Air conditioners use 15 Amps to work. The two most common choices are fuses or circuit breakers. The electric current is measured in amps. An 18,000 BTU air conditioner is capable of drawing about 8 Amps of power. The vast majority of mini-split units are 230/208V, but some are 115V. You typically measure wire gauge according to the American Wire Gauge, often abbreviated to AWG. This guide will explain how many amps a mini split uses and how to calculate it for yourself. As we mentioned previously, it truly depends on the heat pump size. I need a dual zone mini split unit the is only 115 volts. 5. How many amps is a 12000 BTU Mini Split? 3 How many amps does a 9000 BTU Mini Split draw? When mounting into a hard ceiling do you typically mount to the joists or suspend from the roof rafters? Otherwise, the system will not operate correctly. This must be rated for the wire size as well. When do I use a 10/2 or 10/3 for mini splits? Still, some manufacturers use letters and numbers instead. NEC 310.16 Table: Copper And Aluminum Wire Ampacity Chart, NEC 310.12 Table: Wire Sizes For 100-400 Amp Services (83% Rule), kWh To Therms Calculator + Conversion Chart (1 kWh = 0.03412 Therms), MMBTU To Therms Calculator + Chart (1 MMBTU = 10 Therms), Therms To MMBTU Calculator + Chart (1 Therm = 1/10 MMBTU), AWG To Circular Mils Chart (For 4/0 AWG To 20 AWG). Not only that, but the amount of voltage the heat pump needs also determines the size of the breaker. For example, a breaker labeled 15 will be a 15 amp breaker or 20 will be 20 amp breaker.Mini Split Wire Gauge. A central system cools or heats air at a central compressor unit and distributes the cooled air throughout the residence through ductwork. It may even be written on the unit itself. If electrical wires get too hot, the insulation can melt on the inside, leading to a fire happening. Otherwise, the system will not operate correctly. We can see from the chart that 12,000 BTU mini split draws an estimated 4.5 amps. Fortunately, the label includes the maximum breaker size (or it may say max fuse size). As circuit breakers age and wear out, the breaker tripping threshold erodes back toward 100% of the breaker amp load and maybe less. Then, reattach the faceplate and insert the on/off switch. There are three main types of air conditioners and heat pumps used in residential buildings: Each air conditioner type has different power requirements. Thank you. If it has a reversing valve, it is a heat pump. Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier Reviews, 4+6 Best Whole-House Dehumidifiers (Ducted, Portable), 4 Quietest Dehumidifiers (Best Bedroom Dehumidifiers): 52.1 dB Or Lower, How Long Do AC Units Last? Thanks! Thanks Mickey! Cooling Capacity . The breaker panel needs to be sized correctly. Every unit will list its amp draw and the wire choice will vary based on that. If youre ever unsure, avoid caution and use a larger wire gauge than you think you need to be on the safe side. There are hundreds of A/C products on the market, and not all of them are worth your time and money. As you can see from the table above, this is where it pays in the long run to get a more energy efficient mini split. The breaker will need the correct amps the mini split is rated for and will be displayed on the breaker. W2 Wire Thermostat Wiring (2nd Stage), Thermostat Wire Color Codes For 3-8 Wire Thermostats (Color-By-Color), How Many Therms Of Gas Per Month Is Normal? Amps or amperage are a unit used to measure electricity. 5 How many square feet does a 1 ton mini split cool? Is it okay to use a mini-split ceiling cassette with a 115V condenser? Getting 240V to the location is not easy and looks like it is going to be expensive due to the existing wiring. This will help you operate the mini split more efficiently and save you money on your energy bill. how many watts and amps does a 12000btu mini-spit AC use? Any negatives of going this route vs 240? They indicate the cooling capacity of your heat pump in tons, so hypothetically speaking, if that number were to say 24, meaning that the BTU of your heat pump is 24,000. A 14/4 stranded cable provides two 14-gauge conductor wires for power, one communication wire and one ground wire. This makes it essential that you have the right power going to the device. This tells us that the hypothetical 24,000 BTU heat pump has a cooling capacity of 2 tons. Therefore, there are 5 amperes. Do most installs of 4 indoor units draw their power off the outside unit (vs. making a separate electric run to the main breaker box. The condenser requires a 30 amp breaker. For 220V, you will need to run an electrical wire from your main panel. 5. In the photo example above, electrical requirements for this 3-ton American Standard unit require a minimum amperage rating of 25 Amps. The vast majority of mini splits require 208/240 volts. Usually, you can also estimate the SEER rating from the model number. Here, we offer a step-by-step guide to everything you need to know about the electrical specifications for installing ductless mini splits. ft)Breaker Size (Amps)14-812,000500-600151.56-1218,000750-9001528-1624,0001,000-1,20015-202.510-2030,0001,250-1,50020-30312-2436,0001,500-1,80020-303.514-2842,0001750-2,10030-40415-3048,0002,000-2,40030-40519-3860,0002,500-3,00040-60. This is the smallest 6,000 BTU vs the biggest 6-ton mini split. This Friedrich multi-zone unit has connections for 4 units, all of which are numbered for easy cross-referencing to the indoor unit. 100-500 Sq. Great information but I have a question. How do you take care of a dwarf lilac bush? For most ductless mini-splits, the right wire is a 14/4 stranded conductor cable. Typically, you would expect the energy efficiency rating to be between 8 and 12. You can often find exact requirements for breaker size printed on your mini-split compressor unit. Smaller 2-ton central units need a 20 amp breaker, while larger 5-ton units often require a 60 amp breaker. Using this ensures that you will have no issues with meeting code and keeps the process simple for you. For all these reasons and more, youd want to adhere to a measure twice, cut once mentality, especially when safety and financial stability are the cost. For this, you need to use the following equation: The BTUs of the mini split should be clear when purchasing the unit, and the energy efficiency rating will be included in the specifications. For example, if your wiring and unit require you to install a 30 amp breaker, but you install a 20 amp one, it will continuously trip and make using your air conditioner nearly impossible. On a 240-volt circuit, the voltage drop should not exceed 3% or about 233 volts. Please help anyone who might know. Still, the most notable of them would be that most manufacturers offer the manufactured year your condenser here. Outside The Box 1.16K subscribers Subscribe 29K views 4 years ago in this video , we use a power consumption meter to measure. Watch on How many Watts Does a mini split system use? Let us say you have a 2-ton heat pump at home. Furthermore, we have provided tonnage table charts below if you are a visual person and need a better reference. For example, if you have a 4160-watt appliance and it is running on a208 volt circuit, then the formula would be 4160 watts / 208 volts = 20 amps. Unless your unit calls for it, 12/2 it is overkill for going from the outdoor unit to the indoor units. You cannot change out any parts. But even professionals have to learn the ropes, and so if you are an electrician who simply has not undertaken a mini split installation project before, this post is for you. Given their large current draw and high voltage requirements, central . How many amps does an 18, 000 BTU air conditioner use? The ground is very critical and a dedicated ground wire must be used on every fan coil or head. For a single mini split, you wont need 200 amps, and you can make do with much less. To accommodate the different cooling needs of homes, mini splits come in a range of sizes. 14/3 stranded is hard to fine and expensive. But what exactly does it mean when an AC unit is one ton, and how does that help choose breaker size? Its worth noting in that same regard that not all manufacturers are created equal, and as such, you may have additional steps and information to sort through to find that precious heat pump data tag. 1. The amps for a 2 ton mini split varies in size, also know as a 24000 btu unit. It is also critical to make sure that each indoor unit on a multi-zone system is wired to the same input that its line set is connected to. Or, if you have a 3600-watt appliance and it is running on a 240-volt circuit, then the formula would be 3600 watts / 240 volts = 15 amps. It is essential to know how many breakers you will need for a split heat pump or central AC in the first place. It is not advisable and probably against code to have two units running on the same disconnect. The same mini split system may run on 800 watts for cooling. Equally important as choosing the correct breaker for your air conditioner or heat pump is choosing the correct wire gauge. I have 10-2 w/gnd wired to outdoor disconnect box, which means I would wire the whips ground and neutral to the supply ground wire in the disconnect box. Namely, EER rating is defined as: As you can see, we have wattage there. Doing a quick search on the manufactYouds website might yield the answers you are looking for a little shorter, but put in the extra effort to ensure you have the exact name, brand, and model before going on your journey for clarity. Insert RV Air Conditioner Capacity (Example: 13,500 BTU): 13,500 Most mini-split units run on 220V or the equivalent. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. You could use two single zones instead. Tankless Water Heater Wire Size Calculator: What Gauge Wire (AWG)? 12000 BTU; 18000 BTU; 24000 BTU; 28000 BTU; 36000 BTU; 48000 BTU; View All; Shop By Room Size . The best thing to do is read the specifications and instructions for your mini split, as this will show the maximum circuit breaker amperage. At first glance, sorting through the seemingly endless amounts of information displayed on the label may look daunting. A surge protector can also be used to help protect the . One watt is equal . There is one value that is missing from the question is voltage. 6 amps. (Tonnage Chart). An electrical whip is a premade, outdoor grade wire set that is intended to run from a shutoff box to the unit being installed. Required fields are marked *. Here youll find just how much electricity is required to start the compressor. 14 Culprits To Check For Now, MMBTU To MMSCFD Calculator For Natural Gas + Chart, 8 Best Infrared Heaters For Indoors, Patios, Garages (With ECO Thermostats), AGM Battery Voltage Charts: 12V, 24V Deep Cycle Battery Voltage, Lead-Acid Battery Voltage Chart For 6V, 12V, 24V, 48V Batteries, Natural Gas MMSCFD To MMBTU/Day Calculator + Chart, Mitsubishi MZ-HM12NA mini split has a cooling capacity of 12,000 BTU (1-ton unit).