I want to instal an air conditioning unit in my conservatory connected to the existing 13A ring main. What is the maximum power air conditioning unit I can use without having to rewire back to my consumer unit?
Crafty said:(for example a 2 amp compressor may draw 40 amps for a second when it starts*)
*this may trip a sensitive MCB but it wont blow a 13A plug top fuse.
Yes its because its only drawn for a short period. In many circumstances a 32 amp MCB will trip before the plug fuse does. In heavy faults, for example a short circuit, many hundreds of amps are drawn briefly. This instantly trips the fast magnetic trip in the MCB but the plug fuse is usually unharmed because the MCB is so quick at clearing the fault.pbar said:Why is that?
Why will a 13amp fuse not blow when 40amps are drawn?
Is it because it will only be brief
Crafty said:Yes its because its only drawn for a short period. In many circumstances a 32 amp MCB will trip before the plug fuse does. In heavy faults, for example a short circuit, many hundreds of amps are drawn briefly. This instantly trips the fast magnetic trip in the MCB but the plug fuse is usually unharmed because the MCB is so quick at clearing the fault.pbar said:Why is that?
Why will a 13amp fuse not blow when 40amps are drawn?
Is it because it will only be brief
Many fridge freezers have larger compressors. Our new one is quite loud when it starts, and the lights go dim for a second, like when someone turns the 9kw shower on!
Keith Pointon said:The air conditioning unit i'm thinking of is rated as follows:
nominl power input KW min 0.5 nom 1.6 max 2.6
It is also equipped with an ECONO mode. This mode reduces the maximum operating current and power consumption by approximately 30% during start up.
So should it be OK to connect to the 13A mains?
If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.
Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.
Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local