Hello, I've moved into a new house and the A/C is not getting any power. I've opened up the grey box outside and the wires are all connected it appears. I've went to the breaker Panel and traced an orange 10 gauge wire to the panel box. The wire is connected into a 30 amp double pole breaker. The breaker appears to be faulty. Currently the black wire is going into the one screw on the breaker and the black is going to the other screw....If I go get a new breaker, what breaker should I buy?
Optional Information: Make: Carrier
Hello, my name is XXXX XXX I'm here to answer any of your electrical questions.
First off have you tried to reset the breaker by turning it completely off, then back on?
If you have a tester and have already determined that the breaker itself is the problem, you will want to look at the condenser itself and see what the max fuse size is. You also need to make sure that you take the existing breaker with you to match it up, assuming this is the correct breaker. You want to make sure you get the same type as some breakers are not compatible with other breakers.
its ge breakers. is that normal to use 30 amp breakers for that?
Yes, in some instances. The newer the AC is the less energy they use. There should be a metal plate on the condenser itself which will have all the information on it. This way you can make sure this is the proper size breaker for this application.
ok...i will go look
Great.
what info do u need?
It should say max fuse size.
Or FLA. Should give you the amperage.
rain proof pull out Switch...60 amps 240 volts 1 phase
Is this information that your giving me on the condenser itself, or on the disconnect on the wall that has the fuses in it?
on the disconnect
catolog no u3802
says Circuit Breaker maximum of 60 amps with a 10000 amp minimum short circuit
OK what you are looking for will be on the condenser itself. Usually a silver plate with all the info you need such as. Max over current device, minimum circuit ampacity.
minimum circuit amps 16.7 on condensor
max fuse 25 amp
max circuit breaker 25 amp
Then yes your 30 amp breaker will be fine. The fuses that you have in your disconnect should be 25 AMPS.
ok....so is that a double pole 30amp or all 30amp breakers double pole? do i connect black and white wire into the breaker?
What is the Voltage of the condenser? It will be on the same name plate as well. If it is 220 volts then yes you will need a 2 pole breaker. If it is 120, you will need a single pole breaker. As far as the wiring. How many wires and what color wires are coming in that orange wire?
253 max
OK how many wires and colors of the wires in the orange insulation?
10 gauge, black, white and ground
Ok then you should have the white wire going to one screw on the breaker and the black wire going to the other screw on the breaker. This will give you the 240 volts that you need.
On your question you said there was a black wire on one part of the breaker and a black wire on the other part. Is this information correct?
no i meant to say white whire and black wire going into breaker.
This is perfect and this is the correct wiring that you need. Is there anything else that I may help you with? Are all of your questions answered?
no more questions! all were answered. thank you!
There you go. Thank you
Experience: 10 yrs as a electrician. Have my own company.
Thank you for the positive rating. Greatly appreciated. i hope you got your AC taken care of and are staying cool. If you have any more questions please don't hesitate. Thank you