Wiring a window A/C with appropreate hardware, wiring.

[MK]

I wish to run an independent circut and wiring for my 115 volt 15,000 BTU window AC. Which draws 12.0 amps, 1330 watts at 60 Hrz. I have plenty of 12 strand 20 amp rated wiring (not romex) but single wire(s) of three (blk, wht & grn), with a 20 amp rated single outlet for the unit to plug into. And the breaker is also a single 20 amp rated. Is this good enough for the job? :?:

Thanks!

[Wgoodrich]

Single conductor wire must be contained within a conduit of some sort. Suspect you will find buying 12/2wGrnd romex cheaper than buying the conduit required to protect single wires not in a nonmetallic sheathing such as Romex. Also you will find running the conduit much harder to do than fishing Romex [nonmetallic sheathed cable].

20 amp 12 awg Romex being 12/2wGrnd is your better choice and will meet minimum safety rules of the NEC. Single insulated wires are for installation within conduit, not allowed to be installed in walls without being in a form of conduit.

20 amp breaker is needed to protect 12/2wGrnd Romex. Use a remodle box to cut into your finished wall. You may run this Romex in the attic or crawl and may be fished within walls.

Good Luck

Wg

[MK]

Indeed running conduit is difficult at best. But being the fact I have a cinder block house. And running romex down into the walls would be all but impossible with the limited tools and resources I have. (Place were the A/C is; installed in window by back part of house wall which is CB) Since I already have the single wire, I will use it an get some conduit later (want to make sure I have enough wire). I already installed the running strip from the ceiling down the wall to an 20 amp outlet. And have ready a 20 amp breaker at the main box in the laudry room. I am looking at both the metal and plastic conduit. Which do youthink is best. Since this stuff is mostly to protect the wire from being pinched or cut and I only need about 30 feet of it. Hey, thanks for you time too!

[Wgoodrich]

I take it you are talking about wire mold when you speak of a running strip. Now that you have that in the attic area how are you going to make the turn and conversion from your wire mold to a conduit in that tight area at the ceiling.

Why not install a romex to wire mold adapter for the end of your wire mold and buy 12/2wGrnd Romex sliding the Romex into the wire mold clamped by the wire mold to romex connector adapter then run 12/2wGrnd romex across the attic and down to the panel.

Do not run that single conductor without protection of wire mold or conduit.

Next time remember you have a cement block wall that has a cavity all the way from teh top of that wall to the bottom of that wall and you can fish UF cable [looks like Romex but corrosion resistant and allowed fished in a block wall cavity] down the wall then into the back of your surface mount receptacle box with nothing showing when you are done.

Good Luck

Wg

[MK]

Ok, good advice. But that wall is an outside perimeter wall. Getting a "fish" or "electrical snake" threw that wall up into the ceiling would be difficult at best. The edge of the roof section comes down pretty close. But if I do that again I may have to extend that a little outward to make room into the ceiling or something. That or give up a little apperance for ability by running it to a center wall. My attic space is enough to crawl threw, not much on support or angle to get a grip on something stiff as romex or go digging for a snake/fish. But your point is taken. Thanks, will try to see what can be done here. Regards.

[Wgoodrich]

If you have soffit vents outside you often times can remove one of those soffitt vents by where you are fishing wires and reach in, grab your fish tape and then shove it into the attic where you can reach it. Often times you will find an opening between the block and the roof line where you can reach into the block from inside the soffitt.

Good Luck

Wg