b'AdvertorialHazards Associated with Branch Circuit Overloading Due to Portable Air Conditioning UnitsFLASH Background:September 2022 Portable Air Conditioning (AC) units (example Photo F1), including plug-in, wheel-in and window Flash 22-41-FL types are sometimes used in older buildings during the hot summer season as a quick solutiontomanagetheelevatedtemperatures.SomeportableAC Hazards Associated with Branch Circuit Overloading due to Portable Air units are required to be plugged into a receptacle fed by a Conditioning units dedicatedbranchcircuit(acircuitthatdoesnotfeedanyPhoto F1 - Example of Portable ACother receptacles or loads). If these are connected to existing Photo F1 - Example of Portable ACBackground:circuits that feed other loads, there is a risk of overloading Portable Air Conditioning (AC) units (example Photo F1), including plug-in, that circuit. Continuous overloading for a circuit may lead to wheel-in and window types are sometimes used in older buildings during the overheating, deterioration of wiring/devices, and a potential hot summer season as a quick solution to manage the elevated temperatures. fire hazard or loss of power.Some portable AC units are required to be plugged into a receptacle fed by a dedicated branch circuit (a circuit that does not feed any other receptacles or Photo F2 shows an example of a nameplate of portable AC unit.loads). If these are connected to existing circuits that feeds other loads, there is a risk of overloading that circuit. Continuous overloading for a circuit may lead It is clearly stating Use on Single Outlet Circuit Only, which to overheating, deterioration of wiring/devices, and a potential fire hazard or means that the unit is required to be plugged into a receptacle loss of power. fed by a dedicated branch circuit.Photo F2 shows an example of a nameplate of portable AC unit.It is clearly stating (Use on Single Outlet Circuit Only), which means that the unit is required to be plugged into a receptacle fed by a dedicated branch circuit.Photo F2 - Example of Nameplate Recommendation:of Portable ACRecommendation: Photo F2 - Example of Nameplate of Portable ACAlways read the appliance label and manufacturer -Always read the appliance label and manufacturer instructions and adhere to it.instructions and adhere to it. -If the portable AC unit requires a dedicated IftheportableACunitrequiresadedicatedreceptacle receptacle circuit, it should not be connected to an circuit, it should not be connected to an existing branch existing branch circuit feeding other loads or circuit feeding other loads or general purpose receptacles.general purpose receptacles. -If a breaker is tripping when a portable AC unit is If a breaker is tripping when a portable AC unit is connected, connected, do not attempt to plug it again, consult do not attempt to plug it again and consult with a Licensed with a Licensed Electrical Contractor. Electrical Contractor.-For existing circuits that are shared between rooms, before plugging in portable AC units in For existing circuits that are shared between rooms, before each room, assessment is required to avoid plugging in portable AC units in each room, assessment connecting the AC units on the same circuit and to is required to avoid connecting the AC units on the same determine if additional dedicated circuits are circuit and to determine if additional dedicated circuits are needed.needed. Recommendation-Where multiple portable AC units will be connected to an existing installation in a building, the assessment must also take into consideration the loading of the distribution panels and Where multiple portable AC units will be connected to an main electrical service.assessment existing installation in a building, the must also take into consideration the loading of the distributionPage 1 of 1 Electrical Safety AuthorityFlash 22-41-FL panels and main electrical service. Electrical Safety Authority Flash 22-41-FLesasafe.ca'