A/C plug gets too hot

[w_tom]

Are you talking about a power strip surge protector? These are usually rated
for less than 10 amps and I'm farily confident that your AC uses at least
that much current. That is probably your problem if you are using a power
strip.

The plugs are current rated, by NEMA type.

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

Are you talking about a power strip surge protector? These are
usually rated for less than 10 amps

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.

 

[nbj]

I am listing the power strip that was damaged as suggested by Tom:

Brand: "Power Sentry" tv?vcr surge protector. Specifications includ
Resettable Cricuit Breaker: 15 amps, energy dissipation: 2450v Joules,
and UL listing says that "this surge suppressor is rated for maximu
limiting voltage at 500 amps per UL standard 1449 as follows: H-N 33
volt, H-G 330 volt, and N-G 30 volts.

I am sure many of you out there understand all this better than I do!
I lost two of these, but the $3.50 one was reset and can still b
used.

I have solved the problem by replacing the old plug with a new one fro
Home Depot. I have not had any problem since yesterday, though I a
still apprehensive about leaving the unit running when no one's home
The wire still gets slightly warm to touch but my neighbor says that i
normal.

And oh, I will only plug the A/C directly in the wall socket!!

Thank you all for all the suggestions. (my first forum!

 

[w_tom]

From your post, that expensive power strip's circuit breaker did not
reset as claimed.

UL1449 only says protector should not burn down the house; does not
make any claims as to protector doing what is intended. In fact, a
protector can completely fail - not provide effective protection - and
still obtain UL1449 approval only because it did not threaten human
life

330 volts means the protector does nothing - remains inert - until
120 VAC exceeds 330 volts.

Fact that a new plug repaired the heat problem implies a wire inside
old plug or adjacent power cord had partially broken; thereby causing
excessive heating and causing air conditioner to draw more current (due
to lower voltage). That high current would then trip the 15 amp
circuit breaker - which did its job to protect you. Instead of getting
hotter and eventually tripping 20 amp breaker in breaker box, that 15
amp circuit breaker in power strips disconnected air conditioner sooner
- and safer.

 

[William R. Walsh]

Hi!

Wouldn't an air conditioner more likely be the SOURCE of a surge rather
than the recipient?

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

 

[Michael Kennedy]

An author that does not understand what Michael wrote might then

post:

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.

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.

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

 

[Michael Kennedy]

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

Well actually I didn't read the entire thread.

and probably everything elese I said also..

- Mike

 

[w_tom]

They are called NEMA 5-15. They must carry 15 amps current safely.
http://www.interpower.com/ic/sbc-k.asp
http://www.stayonline.com/reference-nema-straight-blade.aspx

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 disconnected power and may
have protected his life. The tripped 15 amp breaker told Michael
Kennedy to locate and correct a defect.