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On Air Conditioners and Amperage

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  • #1

    On Air Conditioners and Amperage

    So, summer's coming up and being civilized I will be installing an A/C unit in my apartment soon. In the "resident's handbook" for my apartment complex, they cite 8,000 BTUs as the maximum for A/C units due to electrical fire risk. This doesn't make sense to me (though it is a 40 year old building).

    There is a dedicated outlet for air conditioners with a dedicated, 15A fuse. I looked around at some air conditioners, in particular a Samsung 8,000 BTU unit -- it uses only 6.6 amps.

    The 10,200 BTU Samsung uses 8.6 amps.

    Should their restriction be on BTUs or amps? Amps make more sense...and if 15 amps on the circuit wasn't safe, why is the fuse a 15 amp fuse?
    "The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
    Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "
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  • #2
    AC? Who needs that? The weather is always steady, predictable, and pleasant.
    Try http://wordforge.net/index.php for discussion and debate.

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    • #3
      Air conditioners often require a spike in current at the moment the compressor clicks on. It's possible that the 8.6A model would draw current spikes greater than 15A and would constantly be blowing that fuse (which is not safe).
      12-17-10 Mohamed Bouazizi NEVER FORGET
      Stadtluft Macht Frei
      Killing it is the new killing it
      Ultima Ratio Regum

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      • #4
        "The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
        Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "

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        • #5
          Technically I think that the restriction should be on amperage, because air conditioners are constantly getting more efficient, and it makes no sense to restrict based on output (for electrical reasons; it must also be noted that there are other risks from ACs; more efficient ACs might actually run hotter than less efficient ACs).
          12-17-10 Mohamed Bouazizi NEVER FORGET
          Stadtluft Macht Frei
          Killing it is the new killing it
          Ultima Ratio Regum

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          • #6
            Originally posted by KrazyHorse
            Air conditioners often require a spike in current at the moment the compressor clicks on. It's possible that the 8.6A model would draw current spikes greater than 15A and would constantly be blowing that fuse (which is not safe).
            Just put a paper clip inside the fuse then instead.
            www.my-piano.blogspot

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            • #7
              A typically Spinkish solution.
              12-17-10 Mohamed Bouazizi NEVER FORGET
              Stadtluft Macht Frei
              Killing it is the new killing it
              Ultima Ratio Regum

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              • #8
                That would be amazingly safe
                <Reverend> IRC is just multiplayer notepad.
                I like your SNOOPY POSTER! - While you Wait quote.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Doddler


                  Just put a paper clip inside the fuse then instead.


                  Doddler
                  THEY!!111 OMG WTF LOL LET DA NOMADS AND TEH S3D3NTARY PEOPLA BOTH MAEK BITER AXP3REINCES
                  AND TEH GRAAT SINS OF THERE [DOCTRINAL] INOVATIONS BQU3ATH3D SMAL
                  AND!!1!11!!! LOL JUST IN CAES A DISPUTANT CALS U 2 DISPUT3 ABOUT THEYRE CLAMES
                  DO NOT THAN DISPUT3 ON THEM 3XCAPT BY WAY OF AN 3XTARNAL DISPUTA!!!!11!! WTF

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                  • #10
                    What does the temperature tend to be there in summer?

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                    • #11
                      30-40 plus high humidity.
                      "The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
                      Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "

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                      • #12
                        I slum it with a much smaller AC.
                        "I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure." - Clarence Darrow
                        "I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it." - Mark Twain

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                        • #13
                          I get uncomfortable if the room is so high as 21C. Humidity really bothers me also.
                          "The issue is there are still many people out there that use religion as a crutch for bigotry and hate. Like Ben."
                          Ben Kenobi: "That means I'm doing something right. "

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                          • #14
                            I'm OK with a little bit warmer, but not much.

                            Heat & humidity

                            A/C
                            Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. - Ben Franklin
                            Iain Banks missed deadline due to Civ | The eyes are the groin of the head. - Dwight Schrute.
                            One more turn .... One more turn .... | WWTSD

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                            • #15
                              Re: On Air Conditioners and Amperage

                              Originally posted by Asher
                              and if 15 amps on the circuit wasn't safe, why is the fuse a 15 amp fuse?
                              Some dumbass wanted to run a 10200 BTU AC on the circuit so he put a 15.
                              What?

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