How to connect the air conditioner to the mains

So your dream came true - an air conditioner appeared in the house, now the heat in the summer period and dampness in the room in the offseason, when the heating was not yet connected, and prolonged rains outside the window are not terrible. Immediately after installation, the air conditioner is connected to the power grid - it must be carried out strictly according to the diagrams indicated on the inner covers of the modules. The operating instructions also have recommendations for the connection and spells out the basic requirements for the electrical network of the installation site.

Requirements

It must be remembered that the electrical connection scheme of the air conditioner used in everyday life differs significantly from the analogous connection of semi-industrial models that are installed in offices. Pets have only single phase connection.

In practice, there are two main ways by which the split system is connected:

• direct connection through the socket;
• separate conduct of the wire to the switchboard.

The first option is ideal for all home appliances - they are everywhere only in this way are put into operation. Connection of any air conditioning system is carried out in several techniques that must be followed strictly when you decide to do everything yourself.

Wiring diagram of the air conditioner

The figure shows the connection diagram of the air conditioner to the power grid, as well as the various connections between the modules of the system, in addition, you will definitely need a circuit diagram of the air conditioner of the model purchased.

First way

Before you begin connecting the product to the network, you need to lay cables from the evaporator to the outdoor unit:

• we lay a wire that will connect the two blocks;
• we conduct a separate line to the electrical panel for high-power systems, which includes cable and automatic overload protection;
• average power devices are connected directly through an ordinary outlet.

The last option to connect the air conditioner is used in certain cases:

• power of the product is small;
• climate system window or mobile class;
• the apartment has a network of sufficient capacity;
• temporary location of the unit;
• No other household appliances may be connected to this line.

Important! To connect the indoor unit, you need to use reinforced sockets and install a circuit breaker next to it.

It should be borne in mind that the operation of the air conditioner occurs in different modes, its power varies from a minimum to a maximum value, therefore, a separate protection is necessarily installed on the connection line.

Each manufacturer, before sending the product for sale, applies the instruction to it, in which are attached:

• scheme of the product;
• basic connection diagram - common;
• wiring diagram for connecting external and internal unit.

There is similar information on the surface of the body of the remote unit and the lid of the evaporator, but it is applied from the inside. This greatly simplifies the independent connection of any air conditioning system at home.

Under the front panel of the evaporator there is a special box where wiring terminals - this air conditioner unit or split system is always mounted indoors.

The wires from the evaporator are connected to the contacts of the outdoor unit, focusing on the numbering, free conductors are carefully insulated with a special tape. The schematic diagram will help to properly understand everything. Before connecting the air conditioning system must be checked. insulation of each coreso that later the normal operation of the air conditioner is not interrupted by a short circuit.

Important! If the system scheme is incomprehensible to you, there is no practice in working with electricity, then it is better not to try to connect the split system yourself, but call a professional.

There are reasons that do not allow connecting any air-conditioning system to the electrical network of an apartment or a country house:

• old wiring where aluminum wire was used;
• wire sections are too small - they will not withstand the load;
• the condition of the wiring requires an urgent replacement;
• There is no high-quality grounding, elementary protection against voltage drop.

Air conditioning systems are quite delicate devices, so they should only be connected to good electrical network, in order not to spend the family budget for very expensive repairs.

Second way

Experts advise to use the most reliable and secure version of connecting the air conditioner - an individual cable that ensures the stability of the device. If you install a separate protection - RCD (protective cutout device), then it will protect the product from any voltage drop or network overload, and an individual line will allow to place the system modules in any place.

Standard requirements for components of a separate electrical line:

• necessarily availability of RCD or AZO (circuit breaker);
• all conductors must be of copper;
• the wire diameter must match the size prescribed by the manufacturer;
• to equip separate grounding for the whole line.

Electrical harnesses are passed into a protective hose, then placed in a special design of a plastic box, so as not to violate the integrity of the walls. See how professionals make connections on a special video:

Algorithm of work

When a home master is confident in his abilities and knows perfectly well how various household appliances are connected, then he can safely begin work in a rather simple pattern.

1. We select a set of necessary tools and the right materials.
2. We study the schemes proposed by the manufacturer.
3. We do the cabling to connect the terminals of the external unit to the similar connectors of the air conditioner evaporator.
4. We verify the correct operation of all components of the product.

It does not depend on the design of the product, where the connection cable to the outlet comes from - the evaporator or the external module.

Choosing an outlet

A home outlet must meet certain requirements:

• availability is welcome differential relay or reliable grounding;
• it must fully meet all the requirements and parameters that the manufacturers have compiled, according to the applications in the instructions for using the split system;
• if the outlet is supplied with electricity from aluminum wires - it should be replaced with copper analogues with a normal cross section;
• it must be connected to the dashboard through a circuit breaker.

Modern standard euro outlets ideal for connecting household appliances with special power, but all work on the connection of the air conditioner must be performed by a specialist with the appropriate approval, otherwise the product warranty will be voided. If you moved to a new place and decided to install a product that already worked, especially since the dismantling was done by yourself, then follow the recommendations and do everything carefully.

We select the wire

To make the right connection of the air conditioner with your own hands, you only need to use a wire of that size, which is specified individually by the manufacturer for each model. Household products require the use of sections in the range of 1.5— 2.5 squares (mm²), and the current strength will be respectively up to 18 amps and more.

If the distance between the system and the electrical panel is up to 10 m, then a section of 1.5 mm will do.²when the distance is greater, then the section increases.

For efficient operation of climate systems use copper wires: for single-phase connection - 3 cores, for three-phase variant - 5 cores.

Wires are not laid next to the pipes of the heating system and gas supply, the standard distance between communications is no closer than a meter.Electrical harnesses assembled in a protective corrugation, placed in the grooves, and secured with special clamps.

When laying communications using ducts, glue and screws are used to secure the wiring. When do hidden wiring, then in the grooves of the cable is fixed with special clamps, and then plastered with plaster, so that you can quickly open it in extreme need.

We connect the evaporator

In principle, the method of connecting modules of the system is identical, with the exception of small nuances, so we present a detailed method of connecting the internal module, and the remote one - by analogy with it.

1. Remove the decorative front panel.
2. We dismantle the cover protection, cable lock in the bottom.
3. We pull the cable through the technological opening in the wall - it can be located behind the device or on the side of the wall facing the balcony.
4. With each core we remove the protective insulation at a distance of 20-30 mm from the end.
5. Insert the prepared ends of the cores into the appropriate terminals and tighten the fastening screws.
   

6. Securely strengthen the wire at the exit of the box.
7. Remove the cover set in its place.
   

After completing the connection of both modules, check again correct connection, referring to the schemes, only after a scrupulous check a trial and short-term activation of the air conditioner is made.

In conclusion, I would like to warn all users once again: electricity does not forgive mistakes and inaccuracies, therefore, when connecting independently, take adequate care of your skills so that you do not extinguish the wiring and repair of expensive climate equipment.