The user manual says to use a nema 6-15R with a 15A two pole Circuit breaker(240V). But my existing setup is a nema 6-20R with a 20A two pole CB(240V). I realize a 6-15P plug will fit into a 6-20R receptacle but I am worried about over-loading the new A/C. Does anyone know if this new A/C has built in "Overcurrent protection"? Also this A/C is the new "Dual inverter technology". This unit draws 10.5/11.6 amps.I read the NEC article Table 210.21(B)(2) that says the maximum load on a given circuit is 80% of the receptacle rating and circuit rating. The maximum load on a 20A OCPD is 16A. Is this OK to do? I don't want to damage my A/C or house?LG-LW2217IVSM ]3
Electrical – plug the new LG-LW2217IVSM A/C nema 6-15P into a 6-20R with a 20A-240V CB
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Best Answer
This unit requires a 15A breaker
The manual for this particular machine specifically calls out a 15A circuit breaker. That is the final word on the subject; NEC 110.3b requires you obey the labeling and instructions. (the reason is that the UL listing is contingent on installation according to the labeling and instructions; UL hasn't tested this unit on a 20A breaker and does not vouch for its reliability.)
Which means you must change the receptacle also
Since you must install a 15A circuit breaker, that will also necessitate installing a NEMA 6-15R receptacle, since you can't have a 20A receptacle on a 15A circuit.
However, the wire in the walls can remain the same. Presumably it is 12 AWG (or possibly 10 AWG; too-large wire is always allowed).
In some point in the future, when no longer using an air conditioner calling out a 15A breaker, you could roll it forward to a 20A breaker, since the wire is adequate. Note that a 20A circuit can have 15A receptacles, but only if there are 2 or more of them. (a single receptacle is for an appliance on a dedicated circuit; breakers must match there). I note that nothing in the documentation of this appliance calls for a dedicated circuit, so a dual NEMA 6-15 receptacle would be perfectly acceptable with this A/C, and possibly cheaper than a solo, and that dual receptacle would be acceptable on a 20A breaker (if not for this A/C unit's restriction).
NEC Code couldn't care less, except for 110.3(b)
If it hadn't been for the labeling and instructions, Code would have been fine with this. The whole point of the 20A/15A exception in 210.21(B)(3) is that you're allowed to load up 20A circuits with the common 15A receptacles, which take loads far smaller than 15A -- cell phone chargers, laptops, Roku boxes, clocks, LED lights, nightlights, etc. The electrical system is built constant-voltage, which means each device is responsible for its own current draw and must self-regulate.
That is why NEMA 5-20 and 6-20 receptacles have T-shaped pins - to allow NEMA x-15 plugs to fit. As discussed in 210.21(B)(3), this is the only exception -- the 40/50A quasi-exception is because NEMA refuses to define a standard for a 40A plug/socket... so 40A circuits are forced to use 50A receptacles.
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