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A/C plug gets too hot

As Michael Terrel previously wrote:

An author that does not understand what Michael wrote might then post:

Michael posted basic facts that every responder should have understood. That means the standard AC plug connected to a power strip can draw 15 amps - no problem. That air conditioner should not draw that much current - as even its NEMA plug defines.

Meanwhile, a power strip must also have a 15 amp circuit breaker. Minimally acceptable $3.50 power strips have a 15 amp circuit breaker that is resettable. Why then is the grossly overpriced surge protector damaged by more than 15 amps?

A 10000 BTU air conditioner should never damage any power strip - should not trip that 15 amp breaker. The fact that air conditioner does implies a failure inside the air conditioner or problems elsewhere in wire inside walls. Fact that the power strip has a tripping 15 amp circuit breaker means the power strip is protecting human life. Any power strip permenantly damaged by a +15 amp load should be listed here as a defective product so that all can avoid it.

Any power strip (including protector type) that cannot provide 15 amps or does not have that all so necessary circuit breaker belongs in the trash right now. Power strips using that NEMA 15 plug must be rated for more than 10 amps to get UL approval. No UL approval? But it immediately in the trash.

Reply to
w_tom
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Hi!

I'd have to think that a voltage sag would be more likely. A surge is possible, though, if the connection to neutral is poor.

William

Reply to
William R. Walsh

Well actually I didn't read the entire thread. I was just wanting to make the point that you shouldn't have an AC on a power strip / surge protector. I'm speaking from experience with power strips and amperage. If you plug a high amp appliance (Heater, AC, Hair Dryer, etc.) into a power strip it usually gets hot and or trips the circut breaker on it. Don't believe me? Go plug a large heater into a surge protector and see for yourself.

I have an 8,000 BTU 120V AC that requires 13.5 amps. It is not unreasonable that a 10,000 BTU AC might require 15. If anything else was plugged in on the same power strip it would cause a build-up of heat and cause the circuit breaker to trip eventually.

If you read any liteature on window AC's they usualy state that they should be used on an outlet without anything else pluged into it as mine does right on the AC itself. I have it on its own outlet on its own circuit breaker.

-Mike

Reply to
Michael Kennedy

Oh I did it now.. w_tom is going to give me hell for this

and probably everything elese I said also..

- Mike

Reply to
Michael Kennedy

They are called NEMA 5-15. They must carry 15 amps current safely.

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An appliance using a NEMA 5-15 plug must draw even less current. If an air conditioner trips a power strip 15 amp circuit breaker, then that air conditioner (or other parts of household wiring) is a threat to human life. Power strip circuit breaker was protecting human life.

Michael Kennedy cited experience without the temper of fundamental technical knowledge. We teach junior high school science on how to create a fact. Without both experience (the experiment) and fundamental knowledge (basic theory from which a hypothesis is generated), then a fact can not exist. Michael Kennedy cites conclusion based only upon experience and that is in direct contradiction to fundamental knowledge.

That fundamental knowledge says a NEMA 5-15 power strip must support a 15 amp load. Its 15 amp circuit breaker tripped because appliance load was excessive - for any appliance with a NEMA 5-15 plug.

If a high amperage appliance (heater, AC Hair Dryer) with a NEMA 5-15 plug causes power strip to get hot and trips circuit breaker, then fix the problem or dispose of that defective appliance. That fact is both from experience AND from fundamental knowledge on how appliances with NEMA 5-15 plugs must operate.

A standard 8900 BTU GE air conditioner draws about 950 watts or about

8 amps. Apparently Michael is still running an old and very ineffecient air conditioner - even less BTUs and draws more amps. However, and again, that air conditioner with a NEMA 5-15 plug must not draw in excess of 15 amps. His experience - hot power strip and tripping circuit breaker - suggests problem with household wires, a defective power strip that was properly protecting human life, or a defective air conditioner.

A power strip 15 amp breaker therefore disc> Well actually I didn't read the entire thread. I was just wanting to make

Reply to
w_tom

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