Air Cleaner Amperage Draw

[crokett]

I finished the wiring rough-in for the lights in the new shop. Part of it was to wire a box in a gable end for an eventual air cleaner over the doors. I put it on a 15A circuit that it will share with an exterior light but was wondering if I should rewire it to a 20A circuit.

 

[Mike Davis]

Can you find out the wattage of the air cleaner? There are lots of different sizes.

If you don't have one yet, it is pretty easy to switch out a breaker for a larger one.

 

[crokett]

I don't even have an air cleaner yet. :gar-La; Just trying to plan now for what I will eventually need. I figure the first one will be a box fan with an A/C filter on it. However, it sounds like it would be a good idea to rewire with 12/2 so I will do that.

 

[Bas]

My JDS 750-ER air cleaner only has a 1/4HP motor - that's 200W or so. Certainly no problem for a 15A circuit. But, a 20A circuit is definitely more versatile, so I can't see anything wrong with that.

 

[McRabbet]

I don't even have an air cleaner yet. :gar-La; Just trying to plan now for what I will eventually need. I figure the first one will be a box fan with an A/C filter on it. However, it sounds like it would be a good idea to rewire with 12/2 so I will do that.

You might even consider putting in 12/3 so you could put in additional lights and 3-way switches for controlling them. If the Air Cleaner is on the primary home run for the black/white pair, then it could be set up with a remote switch as well. Just a thought while you are going to the trouble of rewiring...

 

[Mike Davis]

I don't run anything less than 10/2 just in case.

 

[Dudelive]

I don't run anything less than 10/2 just in case.

That's good thinking in advance. Go bigger than needed when rewiring. A 15A circuit would be ok for only a light or two, but that is just me.