15 amp service and ac

You'll probably kick off the breaker when the compressor starts as it gets close to 20 amps. BTW, you're going to be camping, where is the 15 amps coming from?

Turn off everything including converter and if line voltage is not low, maybe. Even with normal line voltage in this heat the A/C will draw almost 15 amps. Might want to get a couple of fans instead. Good luck.

azdryheat wrote:
You'll probably kick off the breaker when the compressor starts as it gets close to 20 amps.

20 amps is the breaking point for a 15a service?

My air conditioner pulls more than 15 amps, would not work. Actually will not support 20 amp.

My location is a community center parking lot. There are 15 amp outlets intended for running block heaters for cars in the winter time.

I'm running the roof air, Magnum charger, and fridge. Unloaded voltage is 117. Loaded voltage is standing at 112. Voltage does not dip way down when the air cycles on.

2oldman wrote:

azdryheat wrote:
You'll probably kick off the breaker when the compressor starts as it gets close to 20 amps.

20 amps is the breaking point for a 15a service?

He didn't say that, now did he ??

Maybe a re-phrase will help your old brain:
"You'll probably kick off the breaker when the compressor starts as it draws more than 15 amps". Is that better ??

Sam Spade wrote:
He didn't say that, now did he ??

Maybe a re-phrase will help your old brain:
"You'll probably kick off the breaker when the compressor starts as it draws more than 15 amps". Is that better ??

No that's not better. Breakers don't trip immediately when their amperage is exceeded, they have a delay. My question had to do with the exact (or close) amperage that's likely to have to be reached.

Is that better?

Hi 2old,

The answer is not simple. Continuous loads in Canada require derating of 20% so 15 really equals 12 amps. I would imagine that US code is quite similar.

"Manufacturing tolerances result in a curve that is a band bound by minimum and maximum values of total clearing time. Total clearing time is the sum of the circuit breaker’s sensing time, unlatching time, mechanical operating time and arcing time. For currents in excess of 125% of the circuit breaker rating at an ambient of 40°C, the circuit breaker will automatically open the circuit within limits specified by the band"

My "reading" of the above suggest that the breaker will do a magnetic trip after a few seconds if the load is 18.75 amps or higher, on a breaker rated for 15 amps.

http://static.schneider-electric.us/docs/Circuit%20Protection/Molded%20Case%20Circuit%20Breakers/0100-400%20A%20Frame%20FA-LA/FA-FC-FH/0600DB0105.pdf

Thanks Pt.

I run my a/c in the driveway without anything else on without any issues on 15 amp breaker. No extension cords that lower voltage.

I believe that running it draws around 13.2 amps.

I lived in the RV for a month in the driveway when the replaced the basement under the house. I only had 15 amp service. I could use one major draw item at a time, coffee maker, hair dryer, toaster or a/c. I did leave the frig on electric.