Aircon and Desktop PC in one circuit breaker

[jeiramor77]

Tanong ko naman po kung okay lang pagsamahan ang AC at PC sa isang circuit breaker? Yun kasi ang suggestion ng electrician na tumingin sa kuryente namin kanina. Ang problem ko kasi ay pag binubuksan ko yung Mitsui avr IC controlled (attached ang CPU at monitor), namamatay-matay ang ilaw sa buo namin kabahayan, tapos pati yung desktop ko mismo nagshushutdown. So tiningnan lahat ng possibilities, malinis naman daw ang metro, okay naman ang wiring sa sala at labas, pati wiring ng meralco sa labas ng bahay ginalaw-galaw na, okay naman din, pati avr ko pinatingnan ko, wala naman problema. Pero pagdating sa room ko where my pc is, dun nangyayari ang problem. Sinubukan kong ikabit ang avr with monitor sa outlet sa sala namin, wala namang light flickering na nagyari. There must be an overload, diba? Yung circuit breaker kasi sa extension house namin kasama na dun room ko (nakasaksak ang ref, 2 washing machine, desktop pc with monitor, 2 printers, 1 dvd, ps2, 21" TV, 3 electric fans) ay iisa lang at 30 amperes, tapos loose na din daw need replacement. Would this be enough sa mga appliances na yan? So our electrician said since separate ang CB ng aircon ko, magdudugtong na lang daw sya ng outlet sa wire ng pinagsasaksakan ng aircon ko para doon isasaksak ang PC ko. Safe po kaya yun? Baka mamaya di kayanin pag sabay ko binuksan. What would you recommend? Need help po talaga....


Added info:

1) Pag sinasaksak ko yung avr with monitor and cpu sa outlet sa room ko, bumababa sa 216 volts ang reading ng tester sa circuit breaker, sabay flicker ng lights sa buong bahay namin.
2) At present, 30 amperes ang CB ng aircon. Balak palitan ng 40 amperes para kayanin daw ang both aircon at desktop PC.
3) Yung lumang CB ng aircon, yun ang ipapalit sa loose na CB ng extension ng house namin.

[opzuk4x4]

You need at least a 60amp main breaker with branches for your house extension. A #8 wire is adequate. From this main breaker separate the CO, Lights, AC, Ref. Increasing the rating of your breaker from 30 to 40 amps will not help, better trip the breakers than overheat the cables. just my 2 mameras.

[jeiramor77]

Thank you very much for that reply! My electrician fixed it already, there was indeed a loose connection with one of the sub-CB so i bought a new 30 amps of CB and so far when I plug in my desktop, it doesn't flicker just like before.

[2diy4]

Agree that you shouldn't change a breaker, because the wire will be suited to the breaker. 40 amp circuit breaker on 12 gauge wire will result in an overload, perhaps leading to a fire.

[Kenji211]

I hired an electrician to inspect my house. He checked my circuit breakers.
I have 40 amps, 20 amps and 30 ams. But what startled him and myself, he told me, the electrician who did my house, used 12 gauge wire for all circuit breakers.

He told me, the 12 gauge wire is good for 20 amps but not for 40amps. This concerned me.

My wires are by phelp dodge.

Question:
A). Can I exist with my 12 gauge wire for my 40 amps circuit breaker dedicated to an aircon. The aircon is 1 hp.

Thanks

It's too costly to have it replaced.

[bbn]

Your 1hp will draw 3.4 amps (=745/220), more during startup but this is normally momentary. Of most concern is always the continuous running current since this is what will cause the wire to heat up. Gauge 12 wire is specified to take 9.3 amps in closed conduit or bundle so you are still safe. At the plant, I used to put my hand to wires to check if we were running them safely.

Getting back, even though you know that the wire in your house can take the 1hp load, I strongly recommend that you change your breakers to suit the actual wire size. Unless your wires are not buried in conduits this is your only recourse with the installed wiring. Remember, breakers are meant to protect the wire and in turn your house from burning down.

You'll have less load capacity but you can redistribute your loads. Most household circuits do not really need the full capacity of a branch (unless you insist on connecting a welding machine as I did :)). If you need more current then just put in a new circuit with wire that is rated for your loads.

[2diy4]

Some unknowing electricians may use a 40 amp breaker, but connect two separate branches to it, each with 12 gauge wire. But this is not advisable, as the breaker will not trip if one of the branches draws more than 20 amps. EAch breaker should be rated for the size of wire, as lncc states.

[VtEC]

first, check your load per circuit.

then replace the 40A with 20A, add circuit if possible.by doing so, you will satisfy yourself with what you have at the moment.