should i use 20A or 15A power point for aircond and water heater?

my contractor said 15A should be enough but nowdays i see alot of people use 20A?

any downside if i ask the contractor to use 20A?

my water heater should be 15A (3600kw/240V)

15 or 20 both ok.

more important is the elcb=10ma

where can I check the elcb? is it the built in self testing in the instant water heater? air cond where do i check? or at DB?

This post has been edited by forks: Mar 24 2016, 03:09 PM

15A is enough

13A the best

Not enough for instant water heater.

Instant water heater can use up to 3600watt, our supply is 230v, at max we will draw ~15.7amps

Best to use 20A for water heater, AC still ok to use 15Amp if HP <= 3HP

Be safe, go for 20A. are you doing new wiring for it?

noted thanks

yes doing new wiring

dont waste money on 20a for aircon la.. wiring men wan untung only.

go check the watt of yourappliances then divide by 220v to get your amp.

only water heater and build in oven need that

why some people say 220v, some 230v and some 240v?

220v to be safe..

230v is base, tolerance if not mistaken is now +10% to -6%, so all incoming need to handle the given voltage and tolerance. Safety need to take account worse scenario when current are higher (if supply voltage fall to lower tolerance voltage)

Check tnb website if not sure.

When buying appliances, always check the typical current draw during normal operation. Do we need high powered water heater for shower? Nope, we won't. Even if yes, can we be sure that wireman will using rated wire for this? Again nope.
So always get appliances that requires 13A only.

Some appliances need more than this.

Yup, Eg like Big Oven, Ceramic / jot plate stove.

Use KW/V then you will know how many amp you need

20A more for oven or items which generate a lot of heat...
Also it is the best not to share the power point.

Let said you have a water heater which require 15amp, dont share the wiring or add extension wire to it.
It will melt the plug. (example kettle 5amp + fridge 4amp + toaster 4 amp) one power point if you add mini fridge 3 amp sure will melts all plugs


Usually 15amp is direct current. normal plug is 13amp only.



This post has been edited by ma3da: Mar 28 2016, 02:31 PM

if just to be safe, can we opt for the higher Ampere let say 32A or 20A? there will be no effect on TNB bill right?

you got to check your DB. if you DB only has 60amp incoming you already used half of it.

a 20amp needs a 20amp mcb. beside that 32a and 20a plug is different from 13amp plug.
the thickness of wire also different