Mini Split AC Install - 15A 240V

[tdott]

Planning to install a mini split in my garage.

Unit says 15A max, 240V.

I didn't think a 15A 240V breaker exist. 20A or 30A seems more common.
Went to home depot, guy pointed me towards a single pole, single slot breaker with 2 individual breakers. That didn't sound right.

Did some research and my thought that you can't have 240V from a single pole breaker seems right.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Sure they exist. What make and model circuit breaker panel are you putting it in?

 

[tdott]

Sure they exist. What make and model circuit breaker panel are you putting it in?

Eaton BR Type is what I am looking for.

 

[tdott]

Ok looks like they have them online but not in the store.

Looks like this is what I need:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Eaton-B...15}:st++cn:{0:0}++eaton+{brand}+br215+{rest}+

Thanks,

 

[Norcal]

Eaton BR Type is what I am looking for.

A 2-pole 15A breaker is common and there should be no issues getting a Eaton BR (Zinsco II ) breaker. If no luck try online sources, Eaton advertises them as "engineered value " AKA cheap so counterfeiting them should not be the same problem as there was/is with SQ D QO.

 

[tdott]

A 2-pole 15A breaker is common and there should be no issues getting a Eaton BR (Zinsco II ) breaker. If no luck try online sources, Eaton advertises them as "engineered value " AKA cheap so counterfeiting them should not be the same problem as there was/is with SQ D QO.

Found it online! Thanks! Guess the local hd doesn't stock them or maybe they are out.

 

[sreeb]

Is that the max protection or the max consumption?

If it is the max consumption, you can just use a 20 and run 12ga.

 

[tdott]

Is that the max protection or the max consumption?

If it is the max consumption, you can just use a 20 and run 12ga.

Unit Label says:
Outdoor Fan Load: 0.4A
Compressor Load: 5.00A
Min. Circuit Amps: 11.0A
Max. Fuse: 15.0A

 

[acer66]

Could you not also get two Standart breakers and use a handle tie?

 

[ishiboo]

Could you not also get two Standart breakers and use a handle tie?

A handle tie will not cause both breakers to trip if only one does. In the case where only one may trip, that can leave one pole energized but the equipment appearing to have no power.

 

[MushCreek]

Yup- I have the same panel, and two mini-splits on 15A breakers. I'm pretty sure I got them locally at Lowes or HD, but that doesn't mean they all have them. The inspector was sure that they were too small until I showed him the spec's.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Unit Label says:
Outdoor Fan Load: 0.4A
Compressor Load: 5.00A
Min. Circuit Amps: 11.0A
Max. Fuse: 15.0A

Does it only say max FUSE?

If so then you will need to use a fuseable disconnect with 15a fuses.

You can use 14/2 wire.

 

[alfredeneuman]

[/b]

Does it only say max FUSE?

If so then you will need to use a fuseable disconnect with 15a fuses.

You can use 14/2 wire.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

EDIT: Be sure to get dual element fuses (time delay=FRN)

 

[raco232]

A handle tie will not cause both breakers to trip if only one does. In the case where only one may trip, that can leave one pole energized but the equipment appearing to have no power.

A handle tie will cause both of them to trip. That is why it is there and why the manufacture uses them and the reason the handle tie is sold separately.

 

[Norcal]

A handle tie will cause both of them to trip. That is why it is there and why the manufacture uses them and the reason the handle tie is sold separately.

Actually, with a field installed handle tie one leg can trip & the other remain live, a factory multipole common trip will open all poles.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Handle ties, while they will turn the circuits off, do not meet the Code requirements.
Common trip breakers are required, where all the poles of the circuit are tripped

 

[tdott]

[/b]
Does it only say max FUSE?

If so then you will need to use a fuseable disconnect with 15a fuses.

You can use 14/2 wire.

Yes the label says Max. Fuse 15A for sure.
Slightly different wording than most that say Max Cir. Breaker.

What's the difference between a 15A Fuse disconnect with a 15A breaker and a non-fused disconnect and a 15A breaker?

Isn't it preferred to use a non-fuse disconnect for AC installs and the breaker is the fuse?

 

[acer66]

Actually, with a field installed handle tie one leg can trip & the other remain live, a factory multipole common trip will open all poles.

What is their purpose then?

 

[dscheidt]

What is their purpose then?

Situations were you have two circuits that you want shut off at the same time, but don't care (or want) that the other stays on when there is a fault. Multiwire branch circuits, for one; another is two circuits feeding equipment in the same yoke of a box. There are doubtless others.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Yes the label says Max. Fuse 15A for sure.
Slightly different wording than most that say Max Cir. Breaker.

What's the difference between a 15A Fuse disconnect with a 15A breaker and a non-fused disconnect and a 15A breaker?

Isn't it preferred to use a non-fuse disconnect for AC installs and the breaker is the fuse?

Fuses react and operate differently than breakers.

If the manu. calls for fuses only, then they need to be used.

 

[aunsafe2015]

Fuses react and operate differently than breakers.

If the manu. calls for fuses, then they needed to be used.

Is saying max fuse 15amp the same as saying you must use a fuse and cannot use a breaker?

 

[dscheidt]

Is saying max fuse 15amp the same as saying you must use a fuse and cannot use a breaker?

Mostly the labels look like this:

You can see it says fuse or HACR (Heating, AC, refrigeration) rated breaker. So it can use either a fuse or breaker. The HACR rating is obsolete, as of the 2005 code cycle, and a related UL listing change, but it's there on older stuff, and I've seen it on new labels, too. (All modern breakers meet the requirements of the old HACR rating.)

If it doesn't list a breaker, it means fuse only. That's not common, but there's some stuff that says that still, apparently. Note that the breaker and fuse sizes can be different. I don't think I've ever seen one like taht, but I don't pay that much attention.

 

[aunsafe2015]

Mostly the labels look like this:

You can see it says fuse or HACR (Heating, AC, refrigeration) rated breaker. So it can use either a fuse or breaker. The HACR rating is obsolete, as of the 2005 code cycle, and a related UL listing change, but it's there on older stuff, and I've seen it on new labels, too. (All modern breakers meet the requirements of the old HACR rating.)

If it doesn't list a breaker, it means fuse only. That's not common, but there's some stuff that says that still, apparently. Note that the breaker and fuse sizes can be different. I don't think I've ever seen one like taht, but I don't pay that much attention.

Interesting, thanks for the info.

 

[tdott]

If it doesn't list a breaker, it means fuse only. That's not common, but there's some stuff that says that still, apparently. Note that the breaker and fuse sizes can be different. I don't think I've ever seen one like taht, but I don't pay that much attention.

This is what the label looks like.

Guess I need a 15A fusible disconnect.

 

[Norcal]

You need a 30A fusible disconnect with 15A fuses.

 

[tdott]

You need a 30A fusible disconnect with 15A fuses.

Ah so that is the trick, couldn't find any 15A fusible disconnects.