Main Panel box question
#1
Main Panel box question
I am almost finished my basement remodel, and its time to add a heat pump to the basement.
I have an independent licensed HVAC guy who has sized things out and he says I need a 1.5 ton unit. He is going to let me do the duct work, and set the unit in place, then he will come over and inspect my work, and connect the unit.
He called me on the phone and asked me if I had enough room in my box to handle the heat strips, and I said I think so……but I am not sure what he means.
Is he talking about physical space, because I have plenty of room to add breakers.
Or is he talking about load…and this is where I am unclear. I have a 200amp service in my house, what do I need to look at to give him a good answer?
I have an independent licensed HVAC guy who has sized things out and he says I need a 1.5 ton unit. He is going to let me do the duct work, and set the unit in place, then he will come over and inspect my work, and connect the unit.
He called me on the phone and asked me if I had enough room in my box to handle the heat strips, and I said I think so……but I am not sure what he means.
Is he talking about physical space, because I have plenty of room to add breakers.
Or is he talking about load…and this is where I am unclear. I have a 200amp service in my house, what do I need to look at to give him a good answer?
#3
I agree with John...ask the HVAC guy what the KW is of the heat strip and in most cases ( not all.....I could be wrong ) you are looking at like a 5KW heat strip...but can be larger.
He will be able to let you know what the KW is...then you simply take that he gives you...let say 5KW.....convert to 1000's...so 5,000 Watts ( as in what john was telling you to get from him ) and then 5,000W divided by 240 volts and you should get 20.83 AMPS for the heat strip so you would want to use a 30A circuit for this if it was a 5KW.
Just remember the HVAC will also have a blower requirments as well...so in most cases you have (2) lines needed to the unit.
He will be able to let you know what the KW is...then you simply take that he gives you...let say 5KW.....convert to 1000's...so 5,000 Watts ( as in what john was telling you to get from him ) and then 5,000W divided by 240 volts and you should get 20.83 AMPS for the heat strip so you would want to use a 30A circuit for this if it was a 5KW.
Just remember the HVAC will also have a blower requirments as well...so in most cases you have (2) lines needed to the unit.