After installation, the air conditioner is connected to the mains, which is carried out according to the diagrams indicated on both the indoor and outdoor units. A detailed description of the steps in this process and the requirements for the electrical network are usually given in the instructions separately for each device, depending on its power.
General recommendations
It should be borne in mind that the wiring diagrams for connecting the air conditioner for low-power household and more powerful semi-industrial (commercial) models are different. The former are single-phase, and the latter are both single-phase and three-phase.
There are two ways to power a split system: directly through the outlet and by leading a wire to the switchboard. The first option is suitable for household appliances and in the case of an already completed renovation in the room. The second method is acceptable for powerful units, as well as for devices of various capacities at the initial stage of rough repair work. Household models are more often put into operation in the first way, so this article will be discussed in more detail with it.
As a rule, powering a split system takes place in several stages, which should be strictly observed if the user plans to do this on his own. So, how to connect an air conditioner with your own hands without relevant experience? It is difficult, but feasible.
Sequence of work
First of all, the owner of the split system must remember the sequence of work. They are carried out according to the following scheme:
- preparation of materials and tools;
- study of air conditioner connection diagrams;
- laying of interconnect cables - connecting them to the terminals of the indoor and outdoor units of the air conditioner;
- connecting the device to the network;
- checking the operating parameters of both modules.
Depending on the indoor unit, the cable can run from both the outdoor unit and the indoor unit to the power supply.
Connection and connection of air conditioner interconnect cables
If a decision is made to connect the air conditioner to the mains through an outlet, then you need to make sure that it can withstand the forthcoming load. If the required parameters are not met, the installer should not connect the device to it and must explain to the customer the essence of the problem, and also offer a way out - laying a separate line to the shield.
Here are the basic requirements for an outlet:
- The socket must be grounded or a differential relay;
- It must correspond to the required values specified in the instructions for the split system. The best ratio is high power network and low power of the cooling device;
- The air conditioner is not placed on the same line with other powerful appliances;
- Do not power the appliance from an outlet if aluminum wiring is used. To connect the air conditioner through it, you must take a copper wire with an appropriate cross-sectional area;
- It is important to make sure that the socket itself is connected through an automatic machine, which has a distance between the contacts of at least 3 mm in the open state;
- Only an experienced installer will perform this work in accordance with required national and local codes.
If all the above requirements are met, they begin preparatory work to connect the air conditioner to the outlet with their own hands.First, they check for the presence of the necessary tools, and then strip the cable cores with a knife or a stripping device. Now they move on to laying inter-unit cables and connecting the external unit of the air conditioner, and then the internal one.
Modern reinforced euro sockets are usually suitable for high power appliances.
The connection is carried out according to the diagrams on the blocks, on which the terminal blocks corresponding to the interconnect cables are indicated. Unconnected cable cores must be insulated so that they do not come into contact with live parts of the air conditioner.
Terminal markings for on / off models of split systems:
- 1 - compressor power supply;
- 2 (N) - common neutral;
- 3 - four-way valve;
- 4 - fan of the outdoor unit;
- (land).
Terminal marking for inverter models of split systems:
- 1 - food;
- 2 (N) - neutral;
- 3 - management;
- (land).
In some Chinese economy class air conditioners, a separate wire is laid between the units to connect the temperature sensor.
The wires are connected to the terminals. The terminal box is located under the block panel. In accordance with the numbering, the wires of the indoor unit are connected to the contacts of the outdoor unit.
Stages
A brief instruction for connecting an air conditioner with your own hands for the indoor unit is as follows:
- Remove the decorative panel from the unit.
- Remove the protective cover from the connectors and the cord retainer.
- Route the interconnect cable through the mounting hole at the rear of the instrument.
- Prepare the cable for connection, after stripping it and removing the insulation.
- The stripped ends are inserted into the terminals and tightened tightly with screws. The tightening torque should be approximately 1.2 Nm. Typically, terminal blocks use screw clamps to connect the wires.
- The interconnect wire is well fixed with clamps.
- Replace the terminal cover.
The same brief instruction is suitable for connecting the external unit of the air conditioner according to the electrical diagram on your own. Instead of a decorative panel at the outdoor unit, remove the protective cover and connect it with wires to the indoor unit through the terminals.
At the very end, they check whether the work done corresponds to the connection diagrams. Only then can you turn on the device.
Selection of wire for connection
It is worth remembering what kind of wire is needed to connect the air conditioner, or rather, what cross-section is required. Its parameters are indicated in the instructions for each model of the split system individually. The cross section depends on the power of the device. Typically, household air conditioners (sizes 7, 9, 12, 13) require a wire diameter of 1.5 to 2.5 mm². You can focus on the current strength: less than 18 A - 1.5 mm², more than 18 A - 2.5 mm².
Also, the wire required to connect the air conditioner to the mains is chosen taking into account the remoteness of the shield. The distance between the unit of the device and the electrical panel over 10 meters requires a cross-section of 2.5 mm².
In order to ensure reliable operation of the air conditioner, only copper wires are used. For a single-phase connection, take three-core wires (phase-zero-ground), and for three-phase - five-core wires.
The wire must not be laid near gas and heating pipes. The minimum distance between them is at least 1 meter. If necessary, use additional insulation. As a rule, the cable is laid along with the route in the corrugation and hidden in a box or a groove in the wall.
The cables are fastened to the wall with clamps, which are fixed with dowels or screws. When laying communications in boxes, glue or screws are used to fix them. If hidden wiring is performed, then the wires are hidden in the corrugation and fixed to the wall using special clamps.
Circuit breaker
If you plan to power the split system from the shield, then you will need protection devices, one of which is a circuit breaker.It is selected relative to the rated power of the device indicated in the technical passport or on the external unit. It is always advisable to keep a small margin. For example, start-stop air conditioners have a very high starting current, which goes off scale for 20 A. And although the duration of operation at such values is small, it is still worth taking into account.
You can select the required values of the machine for the current using the formula: the power of the air conditioner (kW) is divided by the mains voltage (220 V) and the data obtained can be increased by 20-30%.
When connecting the air conditioner to the mains, it is important to remember that the circuit breaker must have an open-contact distance of at least 3 mm for each phase conductor. Phase is strictly observed: the order of connecting the phases must correspond to the order on the terminal block.
A type C circuit breaker is suitable for air conditioners. It fully ensures the safety of the load on the motors and has high response characteristics in case of an emergency.
It is necessary to make sure that the electrical panel allows the installation of additional equipment in it.
It is worth remembering that both for an air conditioner and for other household electrical appliances, the most reliable connection is through a separate line. With this option, it is not necessary to install a residual current device and differential relay.
Connecting the LG ART COOL GALLERY air conditioner according to electrical diagrams
The photo below will give an electrical diagram for connecting an LG air conditioner ART COOL GALLERY inverter type. The first diagram is the connection of the indoor unit, the second is the connection of the outdoor unit. The third photo is the terminal block of the external unit. The fourth photo is an indoor unit completely ready for operation. The split system of model 9 shown in the photos is installed in the apartment, plugged into an outlet and works fine. The installers used a 1.5 mm² copper supply cable.
In order to cope with all the stages on your own, you can watch the video of installing and connecting the air conditioner with your own hands below:
