Aircon circuit breaker question

[jatho]

Greetings fellow forumites

I’m needing to get a new CoC done as we’ve sold our home and only changes we’ve made are the inverter which we have a new and separate CoC and approval on and the addition of 2 aircons, a 12000 BTU rated at 10.5A and a 24000BTU rated at 18A, both are inverter aircons.

Am I correct in assuming that only the 24000BTU requires its own dedicated circuit breaker (which it has) and that the 12000BTU can be plugged into a normal plug socket?

Thanks

[plonkster]

To my knowledge, yes, a 12k BTU can go on a socket.

But it depends how FOS your electrician is. And when it comes to CoCs for a sale, where there is big money flying around and people are often in a rush to get out (of the old home) and into the exciting new place, they often get away with it.

SANS 10142 says:

6.16.4.1.1 Dedicated circuits shall be provided for fixed space heating and
cooling (air-conditioning units) that are rated at more than 16 A. There may be
more than one unit on each circuit and the power supply to each unit shall be
controlled by a switch-disconnector.

The external double-pole switch disconnector must however still be installed, so that the man servicing the outdoor unit can turn it off.

But also consider the definition if fixed appliance:

3.3.3 fixed appliance
appliance that is fastened or otherwise secured at a specific location, and that would require the use of tools to be moved to another location.

And…

6.16.1.2 The power supply to every fixed appliance, except luminaires, shall
be supplied through
a) a disconnecting device that disconnects both live conductors in a single-phase supply and all phase conductors in a multiphase supply, or
b) a socket-outlet that is directly accessible at all times that any person is exposed to such appliance while the supply is on. In the case of a remotely installed appliance, the position of the disconnecting device shall be indicated by means of a notice in close proximity to or on the appliance.

And …

6.16.1.5 A socket-outlet shall supply only one fixed appliance. The use of
flexible cords of length exceeding 3 m is not recommended. The reason for
this recommendation is an endeavour to ensure operation of the overcurrent
protective device. (See also 6.14.1.4 for luminaires).

So to me it seems you can put an AC on a socket as long as it is the only device on that socket (not necessarily on the circuit though), so multi-plugs extenders are not allowed. Usually an easy fix, where more than one socket is required, double-socket models are an easy swap.

Edit: Also, socket must be within 3 meters of the AC.

A more interesting question to me: If it is an inverter AC, you no longer have that peak startup current (a 12k BTU unit draws 1.2kW but peaks at 6kW to start, for example), I would argue that you could probably put a 24k BTU on a socket too…

[jatho]

@plonkster

But it depends how FOS your electrician is. And when it comes to CoCs for a sale, where there is big money flying around and people are often in a rush to get out (of the old home) and into the exciting new place, they often get away with it.

That’s why I’m asking, when its a CoC for a property sale as you say people just want to get it done and the eletricians take advantage of this, we have time sale is only concluding end Jan and am also going to get the same electrician that issued the CoC when we bought the place, little harder for them to then stab holes at the electrical work if they’ve previously signed off on it

@plonkster

The external double-pole switch disconnector must however still be installed, so that the man servicing the outdoor unit can turn it off.

I see they haven’t installed one but this is easy to get corrected.

@plonkster

So to me it seems you can put an AC on a socket as long as it is the only device on that socket (not necessarily on the circuit though), so multi-plugs extenders are not allowed. Usually an easy fix, where more than one socket is required, double-socket models are an easy swap.

It’s the only device on the socket but the socket is a double are you saying I should then change it to a single?

@plonkster

A more interesting question to me: If it is an inverter AC, you no longer have that peak startup current (a 12k BTU unit draws 1.2kW but peaks at 6kW to start, for example), I would argue that you could probably put a 24k BTU on a socket too…

That’s the reason I mentioned that its an inverter AC they don’t have the peak startup and once room is at temp uses very low power.

Thanks for the feedback.

[plonkster]

@jatho

It’s the only device on the socket but the socket is a double are you saying I should then change it to a single?

No, I am saying the reverse. If it is a single-socket and you are using a multiplug adapter to connect multiple loads, then changing it to a double allows you to have the AC on its own socket, which then complies with the requirement.

[jatho]

@plonkster

No, I am saying the reverse. If it is a single-socket and you are using a multiplug adapter to connect multiple loads, then changing it to a double allows you to have the AC on its own socket, which then complies with the requirement.

Ah ok that’s great thanks.

[JN.V]

I have a 12k BTU in my bedroom and a 24k BTU in my living room and I always wondered if they are correctly installed.
They are both on a dedicated 20A CB in the DB.

The 12k BTU in my bedroom isn’t on a plug socket, on the outside wall next to the compressor is a switch like a normal light switch where it can be switched off.

The 24k BTU in my living room have a plug socket right next to the indoor unit where it plugs in and on the outside wall next to the compressor there is also a switch where it can be switched off. The switch on the wall outside, switches the plug socket on the inside of the house.