2 a/c units on 1 gen?
This is a hypothetical question, for now. Has anyone tried to run 2 a/c units with 1 large gen? 15k and 13.5k btu. I have a 3500 watt gen with 4600 watt surge. I'm wondering if it would be possible ...
Forum Discussion
afidel wrote:
NEC says outlets and wiring shall be derated to 80% for continuous load and that breakers shall be designed to enforce that. If you were using a 50A cord on a 30A plug then duh you'd trip the breaker before your cord melts as your cord isn't the weak point, that's the outlet and the wiring behind it, that's what the breaker's thermal trip is protecting. The time period for continuous is 3 hours at the 80% threshold or above.
Which is why some devices like portable electric heaters that may be operated continuously which may be plugged into 15A circuits are not allowed to be made to draw above 1500W or 12.5A.. 80% of 15A just happens to be 12A.. If a portable heater were to have higher wattage than 1500W, it will have to have a 20A plug on it which will not fit in a 15A outlet. Tis the reason for the oddball non compatible plugs.
80% of 30A just happens to be of all things.. 24A! Which follows NEC requirements.
Run more than 24A continuous on 30A breaker for more than a few hrs and it will get trip happy..
