Q. What size wire and breaker is required for an air-conditioner whose nameplate specifies the circuit conductor must have a minimum rating of 44A, with overcurrent protection not to exceed 60A? The terminals on the equipment are rated 75°C.
A. The branch-circuit conductors and short-circuit and ground-fault protection device must be sized according to the equipment’s nameplate [110.3(B)]. In this example, an 8 AWG conductor having a rating of 50A at the 75°C column of Table 310.16 [240.4(G)] protected by a 60A circuit breaker or fuse will work fine.