Air Conditioners are a staple in our day-to-day lives. We use these machines every day to keep our rooms cool during the summer season. Air Conditioners keep our room cool, they also control the humidity, keep insects away and raise work productivity. In addition, the calm and cool space helps your mind relax and makes you feel comfortable, which raises your productivity.

 With summertime just around the corner, many people will go shopping for an air conditioner. One of the main aspects people forget while buying air conditioners is their electrical component. Knowing what amp your air conditioner works on is a part of the electrical component.

“How Do I Know What Amp My Air Conditioner Is?” you asked. So, here is the answer. Today I will share some information about air conditioner amps to help you out.

How Do I Know What AMP My Air Conditioner Is

How Do I Know What Amp My Air Conditioner Is?

The unit of measure for electrical current is called Amp/Ampere. The word amp is a shortened version of the word ampere. Amps measure electrical current. Therefore, it is imperative to know what amp your air conditioner is.

Like every other electronic appliance, your air conditioner also has a specific amp. The amp and volts used by your air conditioner are written on the air conditioner’s label. The top portion of the label resides the manufacturer’s name and the serial number. Underneath is a voltage requirement. For example, 120V circuits support voltages in 110 to 120.

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Difference Between Voltage, Amperage And Wattage

While looking for air conditioners, you will see labels with three different electricity measurements. They are voltage, amperage and wattage.

 The electrical potential between two points is voltage. Higher voltage machines result in lower amp draw, which allows the units to last longer and have higher capacities.

Amperage tells you how much electricity flows between two points in a certain amount of time. Amps are the short form of amperage.

Watts is the electrical energy required to make something run. We mostly see watts listed on electric bills to show how much power we have used monthly.

Knowing the difference between these three electricity measurements is very important. In addition, this information is beneficial when buying an air conditioner.

Different Types Of Air Conditioners And Their Electrical Requirements

There are many different types of air conditioners: some small and some big. Most split air conditioners require 208/240 volts. Some mini air conditioners require only 110/120 volts.

Here is a list of different types of air conditioners and their electrical requirements:

  1.  PTAC Unit Electrical Requirements

PTAC units need 208/240 volts ( 265/277 volts for some commercial projects). Units are available in 15, 20, and 30 amps. Most PTAC units are plugged in, although if you prefer hard-wired, they can be hard-wired. Some units also offer you interchangeable cords, however, you have to order your own with others.

  1. Window Air conditioner electrical requirements

Window air conditioners are relatively small. Window air conditioner units come with a variety of electrical requirements. Smaller window air conditioners need 110/120. These air conditioners can be plugged into a regular wall outlet. Some large air conditioner models require 208/240 volts.

  1. The walls’ electrical requirements

The walls’ units are usually available in 110/120volts or 208/240 volts.

  1.  Central Air conditioner Electrical Requirements

Central Air conditioning needs about 208/240volts. In addition, central air conditioners must have a dedicated circuit, which must be hard-wired.

When looking through the different options for your air conditioner, you may also want to note if there is a picture of the plug type required for the air conditioner you are looking for. These pictures can help you determine if the outlet you want to use for your air conditioner is sufficient or if it requires installation by an electrician.

Depending on the size of your air conditioner, it may also require a circuit just for your air conditioner, which means that you can plug no other appliances into the outlet simultaneously. This is very important, especially if you install the air conditioner in a space like a kitchen or a garage where many other things will need to be plugged in.

Air Conditioner Electricity

Before running out and buying an air conditioner, it is essential to know how the electricity of an air conditioner works. You can ensure that you are spending your money wisely and cooling your home correctly by taking this step.

The biggest thing to remember is the difference between voltage (electrical potential), amperage (electrical flow), and wattage (electrical power). Taking note of the difference between the units is also important.

With some background information and checking about the inner workings of air conditioning units and systems, it should be easier to find the perfect option for your space.

Put some thought on the range of power requirements between central air and window units. Another thing to remember is how those differences in voltage can affect the outlet you will need. If you have doubts about what you need, consult a professional who can advise you and help you through the entire process.

Finally, do some thinking and planning before you shop. Think about where the air conditioner unit will be plugged in, and make sure you have an outlet for just your air conditioner unit, as it requires one of its own.

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How Many Amps Are Necessary For Window Air Conditioners?

Window air conditioners don’t require that many amps. A small window unit needs about 4-6 amps. A more oversized air conditioner will require about 9-13 amps.

Amps needed for air conditioners change according to their size. It is essential to know everything about these things as they are crucial while buying an air conditioner.

Do Air-Conditioners Need A Neutral?

Electricity cannot go through a neutral wire. Air conditioners, baseboard heaters, water heaters are only 240 volts and do not need a neutral. The primary purpose of a neutral wire is to serve as a path to return energy.

Air Conditioners do not require many volts, so it does not need a neutral wire to regulate those volts. Neutral wires are only necessary for electronic appliances with many volts.

Why Are There Neutral Wires In Air Conditioners?

The primary purpose of a neutral wire is to serve as a path to return energy. Neutral wires mainly carry currents back to the power source for better control and regulate voltage.

Neutral wires are there to carry currents back to a power source. Therefore, the neutral is a crucial component in AC power as it is very helpful.

Is It Safe To Plug Your Air-Conditioner Into An Extension Cord?

It is not safe to plug your air conditioner into an extension cord. When your outlet has a short circuit, and you have no other place to plug in your air conditioner, an extension cord may seem incredibly tempting.

However, this option can lead to a fire that ends up taking your life. For this reason, using your extension cord for heavy-duty electronic appliances like refrigerators, heaters, air conditioners is not an option.

The FDYN warns against using extension cords as a permanent solution. Extension Cords are for temporary use only. In addition, they can not handle the same amount of electricity as permanent cords.

Wires used for air conditioners are thick and short because air conditioners use so much electricity that if you hook up your unit to a typical extension cord that you pick up at a hardware or drug store, the plug, socket, or even the entire length of the cord can overheat, causing fires that can be fatal.

Plugging Sensitive Electronics Into Extension Cords

Plugging sensitive electronics into Extension Cord is very dangerous. Sensitive electronics and extension cords are a recipe for disaster. Attaching them can cause fires and power outages.

Plugging sensitive electronics into Extension cords is often the reason behind fires in households. We often see headlines in newspapers talking about fires in households. These incidents happen because of plugging sensitive electronics Into extension cords.

Guidelines For Using Extension Cords

Extension Cords are used in almost every household. However, all extension cords have a minimum amperage rating or a limited amount of electrical current they can safely conduct.

There are some guidelines when it comes to using Extension cords. These guidelines are given below:

  1. 16-gauge extension cords are used for light-duty applications, such as party lights, holiday lights, portable fans, hedge trimmers, etcetera.
  1. 14-gauge extension cords are used for medium-duty applications—for example, Blenders, lawnmowers, drills, table saws, mixer grinders, etcetera.
  1. 10 to 12-gauge extension cords are used for heavy and extra heavy-duty applications, such as Air compressors, heaters, chainsaws, etcetera.

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Conclusion

Finding the amp of your air conditioner is very easy. It is also essential. The amp and volts used by your air conditioner are written on the air conditioner’s label. The top portion of the label resides the manufacturer’s name and the serial number. Underneath is a voltage requirement. For example, 120V circuits support voltages in 110 to 120.

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