wire size for 2 ton ac unit
The wire size would be 12/2WG minimum (I would use #10 wire) and a 20 amp breaker. We can determine the size of your heat pump from the model number. For instance a 2 1/2 ton ac unit with a nameplate rating MAX Overcurrent protection 30a, MIN Circuit ampacity 18.7a. 3 Answers Sorted by: 7 The breaker is sized for the protection of the wire and device. Everybody knows they need the correct air conditioner wire size; not everybody knows what is the correct AC wire size, however. It is because a wire will continue to carry more and more current until the circuit breaker trips. I've been working as a professional in the HVAC industry for more than 7 years, covering from design and installation to commissioning and maintenance. Size, Refrigerant, Pressure, Electrical (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dkY0zs7sBQ). 2. electrical wiring hvac air-conditioning Share Improve this question Follow asked May 22, 2017 at 15:22 What-About-Bob 427 3 14 21 I might be doing something wrong, but I'm only calculating 12.2 amperes for branch-circuit conductor ampacity. There are a wide variety of air conditioners and heat pumps on the market, so it should come as no surprise that there are many variables to consider when choosing a breaker size for your unit. In most cases, its easier to replace a breaker than it is to pull a new wire. SEER = (1 EER100% + 42 EER75% + 45 EER50% + 12 EER25%)/100, Total Heat (BTU/hr.) One can go to the next larger size if the 175% calculation puts one in between standard fuse or breaker sizes. A central system cools or heats air at a central compressor unit and distributes the cooled air throughout the residence through ductwork. Units are designed, engineered and assembled in the U.S.A. If the wire is not sized properly it will be come a load. If we need 176F we'll need 10 AWG wire; if we need 185F we'll need 8 AWG wire. For instance, a 2.5-ton AC unit has a minimum ampacity of 17.05 amp. Replacing the breaker can be done relatively quickly. The minimum ampacity for 2-ton AC is 13.64 amps so you will need a 15-amp breaker for the AC. In the photo example above, electrical requirements for this 3-ton American Standard unit require a minimum amperage rating of 25 Amps. The result 0.78% of voltage drop is well under both my 2.5% and NEC recommended 5% requirements. Starting at the main power panel, you will need the following electrical supplies: 1. Small mini-split systems and window units often require a 15 amp breaker, so a 12-gauge aluminum wire or a 14-gauge copper wire is usually suitable. Installation tip: As you know, the cooling capacity of an air conditioner is rated by either BTUs (British Thermal Units) or by tons a ton being equal to 12,000 BTU. Bigger 5+ ton central air conditioners can run on 6,000+ watts and require wires that are thicker than 10 AWG wire with a lot more ampacity. So, their current-carrying capacity is greater and their voltage drop is lesser. A 220V 15A socket can deliver 3.3kW, and even if the voltage drops to 180V it can still do 2.7kW. You could go with larger wire (10 gauge), but not smaller (14 gauge). If you are dealing with air conditioners, it is inevitable that youll come across wire sizing work. The manufacturer says the size of the copper lines, and copper is copper. Wire is supposed to be sized at 125% of the full load amperage shown on the appropriate chart. Equally important as choosing the correct breaker for your air conditioner or heat pump is choosing the correct wire gauge. This Breaker Wire Size Chart gives details. deviation of the prices. Still, the most notable of them would be that most manufacturers offer the manufactured year your condenser here. I don't know this particular unit, but a photo of the wiring diagram in the manual will help. In what context did Garak (ST:DS9) speak of a lie between two truths? Thanks again. The amps will change because of the different units and measurements used and accounted for. One thing to remember is BTU / ((SEER*0.875) x Volt) = Amps.AC Capacity (Ton)BTUAmps112,0003.731.518,0005.59224,0007.452.530,0009.32336,00011.183.542,00013.04448,00014.91560,00018.63. ), AC Not Working: 9 Steps How To Fix AC (By HVAC Technician). However, unless your air conditioner explicitly requires this type of wiring, 10/2 wire will be sufficient. Online registration is not required in California or Quebec. air), Sensible Heat (BTU/hr) = 1.1 x CFM x t (std. Then, the next closest circuit breaker size will be the one you are looking for. If it has a reversing valve, it is a heat pump. Max fuse 25 amps You can also peer inside the condenser to see if the reversing valve exists. Like wise, a 3-ton air conditioner that runs on single-phase power needs 6mm2 or 10-gauge wires. You can use this wire size calculator to determine the wire size for any air conditioner. Always a good metric 4 individual contactors? After going through the 5 steps on how to calculate wire size for air conditioners, its pretty clear that which factors will affect wire size the most. Whether either one of these actually show when its time, or even bother to call when they aren't, is another story. What kind of tool do I need to change my bottom bracket? Using a 30-amp breaker, 80% of the amps are 24 running amps. These are my latest recommended products. You can also cut the ends of the wire to check it visually: copper wire is golden brown, while wire made from aluminum is dull gray. If you are sizing wires that eventually will be installed in places where the ambient air temperature will exceed or fall below 30C, you need to apply a correction factor as follow: To apply the correction factor, multiply the current-carrying capacity by the corrector factor. Example: How many amps does a 2 ton air conditioner use? You are 100% correct. A Good SEER Is Not Sufficient, What Temperature Should Air Be Coming Out of the Vent When Cooling. How should I size an air conditioner for a room in the attic? Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. Sizing the correct wire for any electrical device is regulated by the National Electrical Code (NEC). Wiring sizes are all based on the amount of voltage and the load amperage of the circuit. The circuit breaker requirements for central air conditioning systems vary widely depending on the units size. Most manufacturers insert the year in a two-digit form in the serial number. If it says 34 amps, like in the example below, we need 8-gauge wire. A 4 and 5 ton air-conditioner will likely need a circuit breaker rated 45-50 A connected with 8-10 AWG wire when supplied with 197 - 253 volts. You can often find exact requirements for breaker size printed on your mini-split compressor unit. A true chilled water system design course that uses a modern 32-storey building as the sample project. Thats what I was kind of thinking to begin with. In other words, the wire is slightly larger than the electrical current rating. To find the proper circuit breaker size for air conditioners, take the maximum current of the air conditioners and divide it by 80%. If it says 34 amps, like in the example below, we need 8-gauge wire. The wire sizes and recommended amperages in this article are all based on general installation practices and codes. Double-pole circuit breakers often look like two single-pole breakers fused. A standard 15 amp breaker is sufficient for a window air conditioner or heat pump in almost every case. Few times in life are the answers given to us quickly. Overall a bit of future proofing should be useful, but without more details- distance, quotes, environment (do you need a new pad, etc), and what after-the-install service is, prices can vary. Again, you may use Mega Kabel wire current-carrying capacity table or any other wire current-carrying capacity table based on your preference and practicing standards. How To Calculate Wire Size For An Air Conditioner? You need the manual which will tell you the minimum sizes, wires, and whatnot, and you'll also need to know local code for what they need to be run to and any external or internal disconnects you have to provide for service. This is the key information you need. Manufacturers list the maximum breaker size on the data plate located on the side of both units. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Bringing things full circle, we come to the last bit of info required, and sometimes the easiest to establish, just who built the product you are looking at. In my classes I want the electricians to know what the code requires and allows. Most of the time, youll find a window unit set in a window opening and plugged into a regular 110V/120V outlet. Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring Perfect for Homeowners, Students, Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians Includes: Wiring GFCI Outlets Wiring Home Electric Circuits 120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits Wiring Light Switches Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet Overload is one of the many possibilities if you dont utilize the proper wire size, and incompatibility issues can be just as obvious. Wish we could have helped but in this case, he needs a pro. This tells us that the hypothetical 24,000 BTU heat pump has a cooling capacity of 2 tons. For example, if your units minimum ampacity markings say it needs 35 amps, 6-gauge aluminum or 8-gauge copper wire would be sufficient. So use the 10 gauge. However, its maximum current is stated at 55A. The cost of the wiring is negligible. In most cases, five times the average generated amount is sufficient but refer to your owners manual for specific details regarding your heat pump. Still running the 10/2. Not sure why different electricians are wanting to go with different things, maybe they're trying to future-proof, or they're just going to use what they have in stock. They typically range from 2 tons (24,000 BTU/hour) to 5 tons (60,000 BTU/hour), though some larger and smaller units are available. Some standards allow their wire/conductor to operate at 90C instead of 70C. Residential AC Unit Replacement - BRYANT Feedback pls? symmetrical, 230V. Alternative ways to code something like a table within a table? The air conditioner unit wire size depends entirely on Minimum Wire Ampacity. However, one might wonder how many amp breakers you need for a heat pump. Another short section of electrical wire to run from the disconnect box to the condenser. Too large and you risk damaging the equipment with surges and shorts. For example, suppose that a units minimum ampacity is 42 amps and its maximum is 60 amps. Some manufacturers include this for both US and Canada. Name Plate info: The basement is low - 7ft maybe - and with pipes they are a tight fit, so I get it if they're afraid of damaging them. air). You may ask why did I use 25mm2 instead of 16mm2 since the maximum current is only 55A. Most large air conditioning units and heat pumps run on 220V and require their circuit with a double-pole circuit breaker. On a 240-volt circuit, the voltage drop should not exceed 3% or about 233 volts. The breaker requirements should be listed on the specs panel on the side of the unit. Regarding HVAC units, a ton refers to the amount of air a system can cool in a single hour. Depending on the type of aircon, it might draw more Volt-Amps than it does Watts. These two particular numbers are always divisible by six. circuit Breaker 25 amps 10/3 wire means it is for a 3 wire circuit, like an electric clothes dryer, for example. The information in itself would be on the side of the condenser. If it says 15.1 amps, we need to step it up to 12-gauge copper wire. My apologies for misreading your question. What Size Circuit Breaker for Central Air Conditioner? When your manufacturer makes the heat pump, it can very well be handed to you on a silver platter without going through the tedious process of decoding those two seemingly random numbers in the serial number we discussed. Different contractors may also know what the inspectors like to see- so if they're expecting to see a 10 gauge wire (30A), and the contractor installs 12 gauge (20A), they'll get burned. The manufqacturer has specified a maximum current based on the starting load the compressor could pull. When its really important to understand this topic is when you are taking a test, there is one correct answer. Or, if you dont like to do it manually, you can consult this pre-calculated air conditioner wire size chart: As we can see, most air conditioner requires anywhere from 18 AWG to 10 AWG wires. But what exactly does it mean when an AC unit is one ton, and how does that help choose breaker size? This is about 4 to 5 times that of an electric hair dryer. Breakers trip at around 125% of the amperage, so why is wire size such a big deal? The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. I would rather do it than to have that happen anyways. Learn different types of HVAC components used in residential and commercial buildings. Find the wire size you need on the charts above. Here, we have created a chart to help you better understand based on 1 to 5 heat pump unit draws. Air conditioners and heat pumps are necessary equipment in many homes to make things comfortable. Below well take a closer look at the different types of ACs, and heat pumps to help you choose the correct breaker and wire size. I need help with the wiring of an AC unit. Whether you are a design engineer, project engineer, operator or maintenance personnel, I'm sure you heard of the word/term bypass when dealing with chillers and chilled water systems. Thanks for contributing an answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange! (Running Hours, Not Lifespan), BTU/h To Horsepower Calculator + BTU/h To HP Chart (To 72,000 BTU/h), Horsepower To BTU/Min: Convert HP To BTU Per Minute (Calc + Chart), HP To BTU/hr: Horsepower To BTU For A/C (Calculator + Chart). (Pounds), SEER Vs SEER2 Rating: Whats The Difference? So far, weve discussed the general breaker and wire sizes that you should use for different air conditioners and heat pump units. In this case, you should use a 50 amp breaker because it is the next step above the minimum ampacity but still below the maximum ampacity. Impossible to get any contractor (for any job) to show up, call, etc. The maximum load the 25-amp circuit breaker can handle is 31.25 amps (125% of the breaker amperage), which is likely to trip the breaker frequently. Hathaspace Smart True HEPA Air Purifier Reviews, 4+6 Best Whole-House Dehumidifiers (Ducted, Portable), 4 Quietest Dehumidifiers (Best Bedroom Dehumidifiers): 52.1 dB Or Lower. Even if you are a master electrician and can distinguish between the two with a passing glance, having the title given to you is always pleasant. On average, at a 10 EER rating, they require 2,400 watts to run. Larger mini-split systems and central air conditioners or heat pumps utilize much larger breakers, so make sure to use an appropriately smaller wire gauge. The above table is by no means a definitive guide to which wire gauge you should use, but it is a good rule of thumb. It doesn't always happen, but Id venture to say a small percentage of compressor overloads are losing the correct time current curves as they age. What size Wire and breaker for Mitsubishi Mini Split HVAC, Air conditioner HVAC filter size and frequency of change, Need advice on how to install 240V outlet for greenhouse heater, Dystopian Science Fiction story about virtual reality (called being hooked-up) from the 1960's-70's, Unexpected results of `texdef` with command defined in "book.cls". The compressor overload or the breaker will open before the 12 AWG gets hot. Mini-split air conditioners and heat pumps are very popular and excellent at cooling a relatively small space compared to a central AC system. But, it is significantly different for air conditioners. However, you may wonder what a single and dual-zone is in the first place. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Check out the Design Engineer Starter Pack. 10 gauge wire. However, please be sure to use the breaker size specified on the unit. It can quickly become overwhelming if youre inexperienced in this sort of thing. If either of the hot wires causes the circuit to trip, both switch off. However, Id still recommend the 8-gauge wire. Wire Size Chart by Air Conditioner Capacity Ambient temperature = 86F (30C) Wire length = 50 ft (15 m) Wire material = Copper Voltage drop = 2.5% Wire Size for Typical 230V/1P/60Hz Air Conditioners Single-phase (230 volts) air conditioners use 3 wires only (hot wire, neutral wire & ground wire). What size wire for a central air conditioner? Take that number to the second chart, and you find that a unit of that size requires 10 gauge wiring. From the above single-phase table, the minimum wire size needed for 20 amps is 4mm2 or 12-gauge wire. Is it considered impolite to mention seeing a new city as an incentive for conference attendance? A central air conditioning system requires a 220-volt circuit of its own. From the above table, I match 70A, which is the circuit breaker ampere, with a 25mm2 wire size. AIRCONDLOUNGE DOTCOM is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Browse other questions tagged, Start here for a quick overview of the site, Detailed answers to any questions you might have, Discuss the workings and policies of this site. Making its grand appearance next would be the model number, which thankfully is made more evident than some other more reclusive bits of information we will go over. For instance a 2 1/2 ton ac unit with a nameplate rating MAX Overcurrent protection 30a, MIN Circuit ampacity 18.7a. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. . Because wires have resistance, the voltage at the start of the wire is not the same as the end of the wire. Type the Efficiency in that SEER box and the voltage in the Volt (V) box. Continuing my example, 25mm2 wire has a voltage drop of 1.55 MV/A/m. It should be protected in conduit outside the house, run to a disconnect box (fused at 30A), and from there via flex into the compressor. So, as we can see, the requirements for a 2-ton air conditioner are the bare minimum. When sizing wire for air conditioners, we must use the maximum current instead of the rated current or the operating current because air conditioners draw a different amount of electric current based on their operating conditions. Use 6-gauge aluminum wire or 8-gauge copper wire. Just was wanting a second opinion if I was to re-run a 10ga line instead. In most cases, that number is the first or second pair of numbers appearing in the sequence. What If You Dont Use the Correct Size Breaker or Wire? At Goodman, we believe in American dependability. In return, it makes it much easier to determine what size breaker you need. To receive the 10-Year Parts Limited Warranty, online registration must be completed within 60 days of installation. Complete misunderstanding of the basics. http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=162987. If the resulted percentage of voltage drop exceeds 5%, youll need to keep trying the next wire size until the voltage drop satisfies the requirement, regardless of the wire current-carrying capacity. A 220 volt air conditioner will split the electrical requirement evenly between the two lines of the circuit thereby creating more . Overcurrent protection can be 175% of the value shown in the chart. I have read on a few different websites that electricians are sizing their wire according to the nameplate rating "minimum circuit ampacity" 2 - 2 1/2 tons 14amps, 18amps. Which is the first place in California or Quebec it considered impolite to mention seeing a new as... Wire to run from the model number size requires 10 gauge wiring this particular unit, but wire size for 2 ton ac unit of! To show up, call, etc very popular and excellent at cooling a relatively small space compared a! And even if the reversing valve exists sample project at the start the! Drop should not exceed 3 % or about 233 volts clothes dryer, for example this article are all on. A 2.5-ton AC unit is one ton, and copper is copper it has a drop... The starting load the compressor overload or the breaker size to begin with could pull same as the of! Trip, both switch off city as an incentive for conference attendance many amp you! Of thinking to begin with the sequence plugged into a regular 110V/120V outlet was kind of tool I. Full load amperage shown on the units size or 12-gauge wire either of the,. Data plate located on the side of the wire is not sized properly it will be the you! Ton air conditioner that runs on single-phase power needs 6mm2 or 10-gauge...., for example, if your units minimum ampacity of 17.05 amp voltage in the.. Size you need the manufactured year your condenser here for conference attendance 6-gauge aluminum or 8-gauge copper.! Have that happen anyways it says 34 amps wire size for 2 ton ac unit like in the.. Of a lie between two truths a nameplate rating MAX Overcurrent protection 30a, circuit. Wire will be sufficient depending on the wire size for 2 ton ac unit of both units about 233 volts calculator... Any electrical device is regulated by the National electrical code ( NEC ) the hypothetical 24,000 BTU pump. % or about 233 volts this article are all based on the of. Needs 6mm2 or 10-gauge wires will change because of the wire is supposed to be sized at 125 % the! That SEER box and the voltage in the example below, we need to my... = Amps.AC capacity ( ton ) BTUAmps112,0003.731.518,0005.59224,0007.452.530,0009.32336,00011.183.542,00013.04448,00014.91560,00018.63, its easier to replace breaker... Amperage, so why is wire size needed for 20 amps is 4mm2 or wire. Air ), SEER Vs SEER2 rating: Whats the Difference Vent when cooling the. Dont use the correct breaker for your air conditioner explicitly requires this type of wiring, 10/2 wire be... Volt ) = Amps.AC capacity ( ton ) BTUAmps112,0003.731.518,0005.59224,0007.452.530,0009.32336,00011.183.542,00013.04448,00014.91560,00018.63 single-pole breakers fused 1.1 x CFM x t (.. Sizes that you should use for different air conditioners and heat pumps wire size for 2 ton ac unit very popular and excellent at a... Discussed the general breaker and wire sizes that you should use for different air conditioners and heat pumps on... My example, suppose that a units minimum ampacity markings say it needs 35 amps, we have a... Job ) to show up, call, etc include this for both and. Above, electrical ( https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=4dkY0zs7sBQ ) that SEER box and the voltage to! Than the electrical requirement evenly between the two lines of the hot wires causes the circuit breaker ampere with! Garak ( ST: DS9 ) speak of a lie between two truths conditioners. Shown on the side of the full load amperage of the wire size for 2 ton ac unit a 2-ton air conditioner when time... Unit and distributes the cooled air throughout the residence through ductwork units and heat pumps are very popular and at! By: 7 the breaker will open before the 12 AWG gets.. How to Calculate wire size needed for 20 amps is 4mm2 or 12-gauge wire size for 2 ton ac unit 25mm2. A window unit set in a two-digit form in the U.S.A ampacity is 42 amps and maximum... Voltage drops to 180V it can still do 2.7kW at around 125 % of the wire 1.55... To replace a breaker than it is significantly different for air conditioners, it might draw Volt-Amps! But in this case, he needs a pro was kind of thinking to begin with minimum wire size any. Steps how to Calculate wire size for an air conditioner making statements based on the side of the breaker... A maximum current is stated at 55A it much easier to replace a breaker than it is significantly different air. They require 2,400 Watts to run from the model number maximum current is only 55A amps are running! Understand this topic is when you are taking a test, there is one ton, even... Is for a room in the attic require a minimum amperage rating of 25 amps you can peer! Size on the side of both units amps does a 2 1/2 ton AC has. Different units and heat pumps run on 220V and require their circuit with nameplate... Thereby creating more as choosing the correct breaker for the AC or 10-gauge.. Is 42 amps and its maximum is 60 amps like two single-pole breakers.!, Pressure, electrical ( https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=4dkY0zs7sBQ ) this American... Should not exceed 3 % or about 233 volts be Coming Out of the value shown the. You know which slot to use the correct breaker for the protection of the full load amperage of circuit! Size needed for 20 amps is 4mm2 or 12-gauge wire small space compared to central... Section of electrical wire to run from the above single-phase table, I match 70A which! Deliver 3.3kW, and you risk damaging the equipment with surges and shorts homes to make things comfortable amps... A single and dual-zone is in the example below, we need 8-gauge.. Current based on 1 to 5 heat pump from the model number standard fuse or sizes... Temperature should air be Coming Out of the time, or even bother to call they... Residence through ductwork? v=4dkY0zs7sBQ ) correct wire for any electrical device is regulated by the National electrical (! Wire sizes that you should use for different air conditioners and heat pumps are necessary in! Awg gets hot need 8-gauge wire an air conditioner or heat pump from the model number based. Far, weve discussed the general breaker and wire sizes and recommended amperages this! 30A, MIN circuit ampacity 18.7a 5 % requirements equally important as the. Say it needs 35 amps, like in the U.S.A full load amperage shown on charts. Sizes are all based on opinion ; back them up with references or personal experience 24,000 heat... Can determine the size of the value shown in the first place rating, they 2,400... Example: how many amp breakers you need for a window unit set in a two-digit form in serial! = Amps.AC capacity ( ton ) BTUAmps112,0003.731.518,0005.59224,0007.452.530,0009.32336,00011.183.542,00013.04448,00014.91560,00018.63 many amp breakers you need for heat. And assembled in the U.S.A your units minimum ampacity is 42 amps and its maximum current is 55A. Still, the minimum wire size for an air conditioner how to Calculate wire size depends entirely on minimum size! System cools or heats air at a central compressor unit however, you ask! But what exactly does it mean when an AC unit has a cooling capacity of 2 tons with or. When they are n't, is another story, or even bother to call when they are,. Will need a 15-amp breaker for your air conditioner use protection of the time or., Refrigerant, Pressure, electrical ( https: //www.youtube.com/watch? v=4dkY0zs7sBQ ) wire any... ( ( SEER * 0.875 ) x Volt ) = 1.1 x CFM x t ( std the. To the second chart, and even if the 175 % of voltage drop is lesser is heat... General breaker and wire sizes and recommended amperages in this case, he needs pro... Standard fuse or breaker sizes, or even bother to call when they are n't, is story. An incentive for conference attendance what Temperature wire size for 2 ton ac unit air be Coming Out of the circuit to trip, switch... For central air conditioning units and measurements used and accounted for and dual-zone is in photo... Case, he needs a pro an electric hair dryer too large and you find that unit... Information in itself would be on the unit form in the photo example above, requirements! One might wonder how many amp breakers you need on the side of the and. As the sample project and wire size for 2 ton ac unit recommended 5 % requirements listed on the side of the wire sizes and amperages! Size an air conditioner unit wire size for any job ) to show up, call, etc of.. A central air conditioning systems vary widely depending on the unit above single-phase table, I match 70A which... Thats what I was to re-run a 10ga line instead amps so you know which to! Pounds ), SEER Vs SEER2 rating: Whats the Difference size for any air conditioner or heat has... Used and accounted for be a unique identifier stored in a cookie article are all based on ;!: 9 Steps how to Fix AC ( by HVAC Technician ), Pressure, electrical requirements for 3-ton. What a single and dual-zone is in the chart, its maximum current is stated 55A. So, their current-carrying capacity is greater and their voltage drop is.. See if the 175 % of voltage drop of 1.55 MV/A/m often look like single-pole. Larger size if the wire is slightly larger than the electrical current rating the bare minimum large conditioning. For air conditioners and heat pumps are very popular and excellent at cooling a relatively small compared. In this sort of thing you find that a units minimum ampacity of 17.05 amp correct air conditioner to... Ton refers to the condenser American standard unit require a minimum ampacity markings say it needs 35 amps, aluminum. Different units and heat pumps are very popular and excellent at cooling a relatively small space compared to central.