Replacing old air conditioner (plug type and voltage problem)

[stevem01]

Hi,

Our 20 year old air conditioner went out. The plug doesn't match any of the plugs that are displayed on HomeDepot's website.

The existing plug is 250 Volts / 30 Amps. The ones at HomeDepot are 115 or 230 volts and 15 - 20 Amps.

What are my options? Do I need to have an electrician install a new outlet? Use an adaptor?

Here are two pictures of the existing outlet and plug:

Thanks,

Steve

[RegUS_PatOff]

click on picture

[stevem01]

Sorry I must have forgot to say that the air conditioner is no longer working (just a buzzing sound like it wants to start). I was going to replace it by buying a new unit from HomeDepot, but all of the plugs shown at the HomeDepot website are not 250V / 30Amp... they're all 230V / 15Amp with different connectors / plug configurations.

In other words, if I buy a new AC from HomeDepot then the plug will not be compatible and the volts and amps are different on those.

Any suggestions?

[RegUS_PatOff]

how big an A/C unit are you buying .. ?

the big ones are only available in 230v

 

[stevem01]

It's a window AC unit and based on their configurator it said I needed approx 20,000 BTU unit, so I was looking at their bigger 230 volt 30amp units.

[RegUS_PatOff]

OK, so either change the Wall Outlet to match the new A/C

or change the plug on the end of the new A/C to match the Wall Outlet.

[jb8103]

Looks like a NEMA 30A twist lock, typical for boats and campers, used to plug in to dockside or site power at 120 VAC.

What rating do you need for your new unit, that's the question. And what's the rating for that wiring into the junction box? It will be printed on the jacket. Not likely more than 20A, anyway.

[J5*]

you already have the 30 amp plug

get the new unit as then take the plug off the old one and fit to the new one if it is still servicable