Hoping for some reliable electrical advice from someone on the forum.
I just had installed a new Carrier Infinity heat pump system, replacing a central A/C condenser and gas furnace. During initial walk-through, I explained that my old air conditioner system was connected to a 40 amp circuit, and I wanted the new system circuit breaker to be moved from our outside panel to the critical load panel backed up by my (one) PowerWall 2. I explained that there is a strict requirement on the panel that all loads be 30A or less. He made a call and said that the new system would work, as it consists of an air handler and a heat pump, each of which would work off 30A breakers. He confirmed two open slots on the panel and said all would be fine to move forward.
Fast forward to system installation, and the installer informed me that the air handler unit was fine to connect to the Powerwall panel, but the heat pump shows "Max Circuit Breaker 40A" on the manufacturer sticker. Installer said that if we were to connect it to a 30A breaker on the Powerwall panel, it would not pass inspection. The sticker also shows "Minimum Circuit Amps 24.4A", but installer said that the inspectors always go by the Max value. His proposed solution was to leave it connected to the same 40A circuit that the old air conditioner was on, get a successful inspection, then move it to the Powerwall critical load panel after that.
My wife is not at all comfortable with this seemingly "cheating" the system. If the system were to cause a fire, we'd be worried that the insurance company would deny coverage if they determined circuit changes were made post-inspection. Not to mention we have a newborn in the house and just don't want that splinter of worry in the back of our mind.
After doing some research (here), it seems to me that there shouldn't be an issue with inspection passing the new unit running off the 30A critical load panel, and having a 40A fuse at the new heat pump unit outside. From what I gathered, inspectors' biggest concern is making sure that the wiring gauge isn't too small in relation to the amperage passing through it. Since we'd be moving the 40A wiring (assuming it would be 8 AWG) over to the Powerwall panel to a 30A breaker, wouldn't it pass inspection configured as I originally requested? I'm really hoping someone here could give me a definitive answer. It's time for us to pay for the system, and we're in a bit of a standoff now until this issue gets sorted out.
Hopefully that all makes sense, please let me know if any clarifications are needed.
I just had installed a new Carrier Infinity heat pump system, replacing a central A/C condenser and gas furnace. During initial walk-through, I explained that my old air conditioner system was connected to a 40 amp circuit, and I wanted the new system circuit breaker to be moved from our outside panel to the critical load panel backed up by my (one) PowerWall 2. I explained that there is a strict requirement on the panel that all loads be 30A or less. He made a call and said that the new system would work, as it consists of an air handler and a heat pump, each of which would work off 30A breakers. He confirmed two open slots on the panel and said all would be fine to move forward.
Fast forward to system installation, and the installer informed me that the air handler unit was fine to connect to the Powerwall panel, but the heat pump shows "Max Circuit Breaker 40A" on the manufacturer sticker. Installer said that if we were to connect it to a 30A breaker on the Powerwall panel, it would not pass inspection. The sticker also shows "Minimum Circuit Amps 24.4A", but installer said that the inspectors always go by the Max value. His proposed solution was to leave it connected to the same 40A circuit that the old air conditioner was on, get a successful inspection, then move it to the Powerwall critical load panel after that.
My wife is not at all comfortable with this seemingly "cheating" the system. If the system were to cause a fire, we'd be worried that the insurance company would deny coverage if they determined circuit changes were made post-inspection. Not to mention we have a newborn in the house and just don't want that splinter of worry in the back of our mind.
After doing some research (here), it seems to me that there shouldn't be an issue with inspection passing the new unit running off the 30A critical load panel, and having a 40A fuse at the new heat pump unit outside. From what I gathered, inspectors' biggest concern is making sure that the wiring gauge isn't too small in relation to the amperage passing through it. Since we'd be moving the 40A wiring (assuming it would be 8 AWG) over to the Powerwall panel to a 30A breaker, wouldn't it pass inspection configured as I originally requested? I'm really hoping someone here could give me a definitive answer. It's time for us to pay for the system, and we're in a bit of a standoff now until this issue gets sorted out.
Hopefully that all makes sense, please let me know if any clarifications are needed.