Isolator for Air Con Split Unit type

[Ancient_Mariner]

I'm thinking of installing a split air-con in my study.

Besides a 2-pole isolator adjacent to the outside unit (which also powers the internal unit) do I need an isolator adjacent to the indoor fan unit?

My internal unit is controlled with a battery powered remote control unit.

Whilst visiting my dentist today noticed that they did not have any internal isolator switches adjacent to their internal fan units. (Likewise, they too use a handheld remote control)

 

[Spark123]

I think this question is the type which can only be answered fairly by the air conditioning manufacturer.

 

[Ancient_Mariner]

It's made in China by Tekion.

The question is more Wiring regs based. Most a/c units that I've seen have a isolator fitted adjacent to the outdoor compressor/condenser/fan unit. The inside unit has a fan and control system. However no user switch is fitted on the internal unit. All control is done by a hand-held remote control.

Would be an easier fit if there was no need for an internal isolator, which would just be a 2-pole switch in series with the externally mounted 2-pole isolator.

I don't really want overkill, just meet the regs.

Thanks for any info.

 

[plugwash]

my guess is you should really have an isolator near the inside part but people don't bother because of the extra wiring required.

but its only a guess i'm not positive what the regs on this are.

 

[Spark123]

Have you tried emailing Tekion? This type of air conditioning is a specialist subject not usually dealt with by electricians due to the piped coolant loops, gasses etc. It is more of a refrigeration engineers type of work.

 

[Steve]

Professionally installed air con units have power going to the outside unit first, then looping into the indoor unit, since the outdoor unit consumes more power, and it needs a 3-phase supply usually, the indoor unit only needs power for the fan and the controlls. Therefore these units (3-phase or not) only have an isolator outside, to shut down the entire system. If an isolator were to be put inbetween the indoor and outdoor units, one could operate without the other and damage the whole system.

Household air con units though, especially self-install units have power to the indoor unit, looping to the outdoor unit, since this is easier for the DIYer to install, and avoids the part P issue i expect. These only need an isolater indoors, it only needs to be an FCU with a 13A fuse.

The isolators arent used on a daily basis, of course. you will probably only ever use the remote control, and just turn the isolator off when you go on holiday etc.