The other two wires will connect to lugs or screws that are identified as load . Usually AC disconnects are found outside, with the end of the AC showing inside the house. home improvement and repair website. Air conditioner contactor wiring diagram inspirationa wiring diagram. If you are unsure whether or not some of the breakers and fuses need changing, ask a professional to do it for you. The disconnect is housed in a steel enclosure that is resistant to rust and corrosion. There are two styles used in residential homes. Installing and Testing Air Conditioner Circuit Wiring. The bare copper wire will attach to a lug or screw that is connected to the frame of the disconnect. 2) Cord and plug within sight - Although we rarely see this option used anymore, you can wire the water heater with a cord to a wall receptacle that is within sight of the water heater. The bottom of the breaker is for the "load" side wiring. submitted to our "DoItYourself.com Community Forums". Here’s a picture of an air conditioner’s data tag that I took just today. The air conditioner disconnect is connected to the air conditioner condenser with liquid-tight flexible metallic conduit, as shown in Figure 2. The side of the meter that receives incoming power from the utility service lines is called the "line" side. Grainger's got your back. The electrical wiring to the disconnect is fed from the "load" side, or outgoing side, of the electric meter. This is a 2-ton air conditioner, as you can see from the model number. Step 2: The air conditioner disconnect is connected to the air conditioner condenser with liquid-tight flexible metallic conduit, as shown in Figure 2. to this site, and use it for non-commercial use subject to our terms of use. This metal tag will be near the electrical connection box for the unit. Precaution: Identify the air conditioner circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the 220 volt air conditioner wiring. Install these wires the same way as the house wires, but into the other half of the box. Air conditioners provide cool air to homes and add to comfort. Make sure you use the proper size disconnect! Extreme caution should be taken because the AC disconnect may contain high voltage. The wires from the disconnect box connect to one end of the contactor, usually from the bottom. We welcome your comments and This Metallic AC Disconnect is designed to stop the flow of electricity to allow you to safely work on the air conditioner. It is easy to install a box with all the instructions. The National Electrical Code requires that all appliances over 300 volt-amps or over 1/8-horsepower use some sort of "means of disconnect," An AC disconnect is also known as an air conditioner switch box or fuse box. This is because the AC needs to expel hot air. For air conditioners and heat pumps, we size the wires and circuit breakers in accordance with the information printed on the label, not the simplified sizing charts that we typically rely on. The AC disconnect box needs to be changed when it won’t open, or when it appears to be weathered. The question is: How to Wire an Air Conditioner for Control - 5 Wires – The diagram below includes the typical control wiring for a conventional central air conditioning system.Furthermore, it includes a thermostat, a condenser, and an air handler with a heat source. Air conditioning equipment installers must hook up a disconnect box that can disengage the equipment's electric supply. Mount the air conditioner disconnect, as shown in Figure 1, on the outside wall, as close to the air conditioner condenser as is reasonable. The breaker is rated for maximum current, measured in amps. While most units will be 10-12 gauge be sure to read the specifications to get the correct size wire. Do not change the air conditioner disconnect box unless you are a trained professional. When it comes to anything technical or anything that involves electricity, it is best to ask trained professionals to do it for you, or at least ask them for a consultation. That way I can take my time drilling the holes for the box, and line set ensuring it comes out nice and neat.