What size wire do you run for a 5 ton outdoor air cooled condensor unit?

Answer 1

A ton of A/C is 844.2 watts, so 5 tons is 4222.5 watts. Design extra 10 percent for constant load for total of 4650 W. Using 240 volts at 20 amps (W = Amps x volts), on 12 AWG wire, you would get 155 feet before having a 5% voltage drop. If inrush current is 30 amps at startup, you would have 7.5 percent drop in the cable during startup. To be safe, perhaps bump up a size (10 AWG) and have 4.7 percent drop during inrush (at 155 ft), or be able to run up to 170 feet at 30A load with 5 percent drop. In any case, because normal operating current is 20 A, you should use a 30 A breaker and thus 10 AWG wire, to be on safe side. If the unit is 120 V, the distances are halved for the same amount of drop.

Answer 2

For a 5 ton outdoor air cooled condenser unit, typically a wire size of 10 AWG (American Wire Gauge) would be suitable for both the line set and control wiring. However, it's always best to consult the manufacturer's specifications to ensure you are using the correct wire size for your specific unit and local electrical codes.

Answer 3

#12 gage