HVAC 20 AMP breaker keeps tripping

[OttoMan]

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It is tripping because the breaker is way to small, my friend. You have to have the 30 amp breaker as listed on the label.
This is such a BIG thing, for example, all of our jobs we call county inspections, and if the breaker at the panel is 20 amp and the label on the AC says 30 amp, they will fail our job.

A breaker is really easy to change!!!

 

[Eggmanmja01]

It is tripping because the breaker is way to small, my friend. You have to have the 30 amp breaker as listed on the label.
This is such a BIG thing, for example, all of our jobs we call county inspections, and if the breaker at the panel is 20 amp and the label on the AC says 30 amp, they will fail our job.

A breaker is really easy to change!!!

I have read that with 30 Amp, it needs to be 10 gauge wiring and I know that should be orange. If it is 12 gauge wiring, this is a bigger task

 

[OttoMan]

I have read that with 30 Amp, it needs to be 10 gauge wiring and I know that should be orange. If it is 12 gauge wiring, this is a bigger task

That's right. I didn't know that you have a 12ga.
How far is the Ac from the breaker panel?
Is it on the same side of the house?
You will need someone to get the right wire.

Look at this chart and distance (it might increase the gauge if it is too far).

 

[Eggmanmja01]

That's right. I didn't know that you have a 12ga.
How far is the Ac from the breaker panel?
Is it on the same side of the house?
You will need someone to get the right wire.

Look at this chart and distance (it might increase the gauge if it is too far).
View attachment 8751331

Opposite sides of the house. I'm just hoping a 10 gauge was ran and they used a 20 AMP, but highly unlikely

 

[Eggmanmja01]

Just an update

I had a friend of a friend come out and he swapped out the fuses and changed the line at the outside fan. He said they also ran the wrong 12 volt wiring which was for indoor use only. He said the casing was brittle. Switched it 10 volt.

As for the AC, it wasn't blowing cold air. The outside fan didnt come on after i dropped it to 60 degrees. He said it may be the capacitor or motor, but that's beyond his skill set. I have a company coming out this afternoon.

🤞

 

[JDUB]

Are you saying he installed larger gauge wire from the panel TO the outside unit? And thermostat wire?

 

[Eggmanmja01]

Are you saying he installed larger gauge wire from the panel TO the outside unit? And thermostat wire?

No. The 10 gauge was there but 12 was ran to the unit.

 

[JDUB]

Well that’s good! Shame on them. Lol.

I would think you wouldn’t need a capacitor yet but it’s possible. Not to difficult to do. Just may have to get someone with a warm air license to actually be able to buy one.

 

[Kahrnut]

Well that’s good! Shame on them. Lol.

I would think you wouldn’t need a capacitor yet but it’s possible. Not to difficult to do. Just may have to get someone with a warm air license to actually be able to buy one.

I buy mine (and keep an extra on hand) at Amazon. Usually about $10.

 

[Allsmiles]

Capacitors are easy to swap out. Just get the same specs as the one you have (may be different size). I had Captain Spaulding talk me through replacing one. Most likely a made in China electronic that will go out when it feels like it. First one didn't make it a year and hasn't had an issue since. $10-15 on Amazon, $25ish at hardware store (if they have it), or about $60-75 at A/C store for the same thing, but they will have in stock.