16 amp fuse recommendation

WaywardDriver

I'm considering getting a split air conditioning unit professionally installed. According to the manufacturer "the recommended fuse rating is 16amp however the maximum run current in extreme conditions is 12amps with normal running amps in uk conditions being around 8amps full load."
Would it be safe to use a standard 13 amp socket? or anyone any experience with this?
I'm not a qualified electrician and not prepared to take any risks and will get in electrician if necessary.

Ectophile

Standard 13A plugs, with a 13A fuse, will get a bit toasty warm if run at 12A for an extended period.  If you are going to go that route, buy the best quality plug and socket, and don't be surprised if they need replacing after a few years.

Normally, something like that would be run off its own 16A breaker at the consumer unit.

Section62

WaywardDriver said:

I'm considering getting a split air conditioning unit professionally installed. According to the manufacturer "the recommended fuse rating is 16amp however the maximum run current in extreme conditions is 12amps with normal running amps in uk conditions being around 8amps full load."
Would it be safe to use a standard 13 amp socket? or anyone any experience with this?
I'm not a qualified electrician and not prepared to take any risks and will get in electrician if necessary.

The professionals doing the installation are probably the people you need to speak to.

Unless the unit has clever starting control circuitry, the starting current will be significantly more than the run current, so if the maximum run current is 12A it could easily need the full 16A (or more) for starting.

I have use of a large air compressor, which was sold as being able to run on a 13A socket.  If you try starting it from cold in the winter months the current draw almost instantly blows a 13A plug fuse. In the end we had to get a professional electrician to put in a 16A socket (a blue BS4343-type one) on a radial from a C16 MCB... anything less just kept popping.

So see what the installers think the unit needs and be prepared to pay to get a dedicated circuit wired in.  One aspect to consider is if the socket you'd use is on a ring, whether the other loads on the ring together with the AC unit will cause unacceptable voltage drops - you could end up causing (expensive) damage to equipment if you try to save the cost of getting it wired in properly.

tacpot12

Have you looked to see if there is a more efficient unit available?

grumbler

tacpot12 said:

Have you looked to see if there is a more efficient unit available?

https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/ct/heating-and-air-conditioning/air-conditioners/wall-split

All are A+++  A++ или A++/A+, and I don't think this is a really big difference, especially in terms of consumed power/current.

What really makes a difference is the area/volume they are capable of serving.

WaywardDriver

Section62 said:

WaywardDriver said:

I'm considering getting a split air conditioning unit professionally installed. According to the manufacturer "the recommended fuse rating is 16amp however the maximum run current in extreme conditions is 12amps with normal running amps in uk conditions being around 8amps full load."
Would it be safe to use a standard 13 amp socket? or anyone any experience with this?
I'm not a qualified electrician and not prepared to take any risks and will get in electrician if necessary.

The professionals doing the installation are probably the people you need to speak to.

The installers are refrigerant engineers not electricians and can only quote the manufacturer's recommendation. Had contacted other installers but most didn't respond or left it to me to sort out the electrics.
The "8 amps max in UK conditions" suggested to me that a standard 13 amp connection would be sufficient. 

coffeehound

A professional installer would refuse to fit the unit without the proper electric supply

WaywardDriver

grumbler said:

tacpot12 said:

Have you looked to see if there is a more efficient unit available?

https://www.appliancesdirect.co.uk/ct/heating-and-air-conditioning/air-conditioners/wall-split

All are A+++  A++ или A++/A+, and I don't think this is a really big difference, especially in terms of consumed power/current.

What really makes a difference is the area/volume they are capable of serving.

The unit is A++. Here's a link to the specs (5.2kW unit) - pdf-fcuk-support-ctlg-3efnp26-1811e-01.pdf (fujitsu-general.com). The area is 32 sq m.

grumbler

+

.........................

onomatopoeia99

WaywardDriver said:

I'm considering getting a split air conditioning unit professionally installed. According to the manufacturer "the recommended fuse rating is 16amp however the maximum run current in extreme conditions is 12amps with normal running amps in uk conditions being around 8amps full load."
Would it be safe to use a standard 13 amp socket? or anyone any experience with this?
I'm not a qualified electrician and not prepared to take any risks and will get in electrician if necessary.

A 13A fuse will carry 20A pretty much forever without blowing.  The socket and plug may be less happy with this.  It would be better to give it its own dedicated outlet to which it is hardwired.

Eldi_Dos

There was a recent thread on here about leaving washing machines on,some of the postings about near misses were scary.When it comes to electrics easiest and cheapest is not a good policy,best to get a professional to do the work.