Galvin Power is reader-supported. When you buy via our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more

What Size Breaker Do I Need for a 3 Ton AC? Things to Know!

Written by Edwin Jones / Fact checked by Andrew Wright

what size breaker do i need for a 3 ton AC

A three-ton air conditioner is perfect for most average-sized houses. It covers a space of up to 1,800 square feet, ensuring that anyone within that space lives comfortably.

Do you want to install a three-ton air conditioner in your house, but you’re unsure how many amps does a 3 ton air conditioner use? You may be asking yourself, “what size breaker do I need for a 3 ton AC?”

The answer to that question is 60 amps for the air handler breaker size. If you want to be sure, you can read the manual that comes with the air conditioner. This way, you’ll know what the manufacturer recommends explicitly for that unit.

But what if you’re installing a bigger aircon? Or have a smaller space instead? Continue reading and get an idea of which breaker you want to install in your home.

What Is the Right Breaker Size for My Air Conditioner?

how-many-amps-does-a-3-ton-air-conditioner-use

It is easy to find the recommended breaker size of your unit. You don’t need to be a professional electrician to know the requirements—you only need basic math. Look for the watt rating of your air conditioner, and then divide it by the voltage of your home.

So if you have a 5,000-watt aircon and you’re plugging it in a 110-volt outlet, your amp requirement is around 46 amps.

Furthermore, some aircon data plates or manuals include the recommended amp requirement for the unit itself. You may discover a 3 ton ac unit breaker size by checking these things. If you look up the data plate, you will see an indication of minimum and maximum circuit ampacity.

For example, my 3 ton AC breaker size is 35A at maximum with a minimum amperage of 21.5. In my case, I can find 35A breakers easily here.

However, if your breaker requirement is an irregular size you can’t find anywhere, you must use a higher-rated breaker.

When you’re installing a circuit breaker for your AC unit, you also need to know the proper wire size for the AC itself. Here’s how.

What Is the Right Wire Size for My Air Conditioner

To know the suitable wire size for your air conditioning unit, look into the wire sizing chart. For example, if you have a 3 ton AC unit that has a minimum of 40 amps, you only need an eight-gauge wire.

Check out this video by Structure Tech Home Inspections. It talks about the proper breaker and wire sizing for your AC unit. It’s a short production, but it’s profoundly informative and will help you make the right decision about your AC installation.

Conclusion

When determining a 3-ton AC or 3 ton heat pump breaker size, check your unit’s information data plate, specifically, the minimum circuit amperage and maximum overcurrent protection numbers.

So, have I answered your question, “what size breaker do I need for a 3 ton AC?” Do you still need more clarification about it? If you have any further questions, feel free to share them in the comments section below.

5/5 - (2 votes)