Replacing several runs of wire, including both 240s for the dryer and outside A/C unit. All is good except I'm not sure about the wiring for the outside unit.
What is there now is in poor shape and is smashed in the walls between the 2x4s and the brick wall. I don't think there's a linear foot that is done to code and looks like it's been there nearly since the home was built in 1958 (judging by the paint colors that are splattered on it). Also it's 2 different sizes with half being 10ga and half 8ga (transition takes place in a metal ungrounded box with no cover and no wire nuts). Anyway, long story short was going to replace the whole run. First problem I think I solved. First the specs:
Trane 3-ton unit manufactured 1994
Phase 1
Minimum Circuit Ampacity: 23.0 amps
Recommended fuse/breaker (hacr): 40amps
Max fuse/breaker (hacr): 40amps
approximate length of run from breaker box to outside unit: 80' (5' covered by insulation, 10' in hot attic, the rest through a wall and a cool, dry crawl space)
I already have a new Square D QO 40amp breaker on it. I understand before the NEC 2011 that it could run on 12ga wire since that allowed for up to 25 amps on an a/c circuit but now it's lowered to 20 amps, thus mine now would require 10ga wire. However, before I understood this I already purchased 125' of 8/2 (with 10ga ground), and with the price of the 10/2 being roughly the same price as the 8/2 (100' roll of 10/2 vs 125' roll of 8/2), and when the A/C gets replaced I want to put a larger unit in that will hopefully cool better, I'd just assume stick with and install the 8/2. That was the first problem but like I said I think it's figured out that there's nothing wrong with putting larger than required in there...???
Second problem: What TYPE of wire? I'm attaching a picture of how it looks there with the disconnect box cover removed (just for a FYI). I've been reading that NM CANNOT go in that flex pvc tubing? However, that's what's currently in there and been fine for 40+ years. I'm not sure what else I could do and there's no way I'm running 3 single THWN wires through tubing up the wall, through the attic and down into the crawl space. I can think of easier ways to commit suicide.... Not to mention I'm not drilling or chiseling out any more where all of that comes through the wall since it's scrunched in there with the refrigerant lines...
Some on the forums I was reading just said they install NM through to the disconnect, whether it's a DC on the side of the house or a pull-out DC like mine is, and then run the THWN from the disconnect to the unit. It isn't strict to the code but it is what it is I guess.
Anyone have any ideas or input to throw me???
TIA
What is there now is in poor shape and is smashed in the walls between the 2x4s and the brick wall. I don't think there's a linear foot that is done to code and looks like it's been there nearly since the home was built in 1958 (judging by the paint colors that are splattered on it). Also it's 2 different sizes with half being 10ga and half 8ga (transition takes place in a metal ungrounded box with no cover and no wire nuts). Anyway, long story short was going to replace the whole run. First problem I think I solved. First the specs:
Trane 3-ton unit manufactured 1994
Phase 1
Minimum Circuit Ampacity: 23.0 amps
Recommended fuse/breaker (hacr): 40amps
Max fuse/breaker (hacr): 40amps
approximate length of run from breaker box to outside unit: 80' (5' covered by insulation, 10' in hot attic, the rest through a wall and a cool, dry crawl space)
I already have a new Square D QO 40amp breaker on it. I understand before the NEC 2011 that it could run on 12ga wire since that allowed for up to 25 amps on an a/c circuit but now it's lowered to 20 amps, thus mine now would require 10ga wire. However, before I understood this I already purchased 125' of 8/2 (with 10ga ground), and with the price of the 10/2 being roughly the same price as the 8/2 (100' roll of 10/2 vs 125' roll of 8/2), and when the A/C gets replaced I want to put a larger unit in that will hopefully cool better, I'd just assume stick with and install the 8/2. That was the first problem but like I said I think it's figured out that there's nothing wrong with putting larger than required in there...???
Second problem: What TYPE of wire? I'm attaching a picture of how it looks there with the disconnect box cover removed (just for a FYI). I've been reading that NM CANNOT go in that flex pvc tubing? However, that's what's currently in there and been fine for 40+ years. I'm not sure what else I could do and there's no way I'm running 3 single THWN wires through tubing up the wall, through the attic and down into the crawl space. I can think of easier ways to commit suicide.... Not to mention I'm not drilling or chiseling out any more where all of that comes through the wall since it's scrunched in there with the refrigerant lines...
Some on the forums I was reading just said they install NM through to the disconnect, whether it's a DC on the side of the house or a pull-out DC like mine is, and then run the THWN from the disconnect to the unit. It isn't strict to the code but it is what it is I guess.
Anyone have any ideas or input to throw me???
TIA