Heat Pumps and Electric Heating - heat strip help

I replaced my gas-pac unit with a 2.5 ton heatpump (goodman 13 seer package unit). Just got it installed and it seems to be working great on the heat mode for my 1284 sq ft....we haven't had any real cold temps lately, although it was down to about 25 this morning. live in eastern nc. I have not installed the 10 kw heat strip that came with the package to be field installed. So i used the 220 wire from the gas pac to hook up the heat pump. Now i assume i have to run an additional wire for the heat strips...right ? My electrical service box main is about 75feet from the heat pump, can you tell me what size wire and breaker i would need for the heat strips. Also what would be a good thermostat for this setup...thanks

Look in the install instructions, that will tell you what size breaker. is there already a breaker on the heat pack itself ?
You will also have to hook up your control circuit for this - again, look in install instructions. I prefer the vision pro stat but its a little pricey.:thumbup:

thanks DUN11....I'm using the same wire that was hooked to the gas-pac, and it is on a 50 amp breaker

You still need to chk the install instructions to see what size breaker "THEY" want for the heat pack. 50 Amp may be fine just double chk. I would use 6/2 for 50a

Just re-read your post, you said you already used the 50a 220 circuit for the H/P is that right.

Also, what size breaker do they want to use for the H/P ?

The paper work specs on this 2.5 ton unit says Maximum Overcurrent Protection
30 amps ............Does this mean the 50 amp breaker is to large...also if i am putting 10kw heat strips in and running about 75' and using the 6-2 wire do you think 40 amp breaker will take care of just the strips

That sounds like you may be talking about the condensing unit OCPD being 30 amps. Unless it already has a 5KW package in it.

10KW alone is 42 amps.

On the air handler, there should be a label that lists heat packages for the unit. Cross it over with the one you have to get the min circuit ampacity and max OCPD.

this is a 2.5 ton hp package unit not a split system...thanks

The paper work specs on this 2.5 ton unit says Maximum Overcurrent Protection
30 amps ............Does this mean the 50 amp breaker is to large...also if i am putting 10kw heat strips in and running about 75' and using the 6-2 wire do you think 40 amp breaker will take care of just the strips

Yes its to large, you need to run a 30a circuit 10/2 (the orange wire) with a 30a breaker for the H/P. Again, look in the install instructions for the heat pack and see what they want for max overcurrent protection. If its 50a then your good, you have the breaker, just need to double chk the wire size. It should be 6/2

I really appreciate you helping me with this. So let me see if i am explaining this correctly. Starting at the 200 amp service panel at one end of my house and looking inside there is a 50 amp double pole breaker labled (heat - air gas pack) like i said i'm switching from gas pack to heat pump package unit. The wire from the 50 amp breaker goes to the othe end of house about 75' and connects to the little out side cut-off box next to the heat pump. The breaker in this box that has been hooked to the gas pack is a 40 amp double pole breaker. So i'm wondering if there is any danger in leaving it like this for the 2.5 ton heat pump.

The problem is that you have to large a breaker for the H/P, in other words if there is a problem with the system the breaker will not trip until there is more then 40a present at which point it will be to late. Also you still do not have power for the heat pack.
So again:wall: what is the max overcurrent protection required for the elec heat pack ?

You might be able to use the 50a circuit for the heat pack, however you would have to upgrade the disconnect to 50a as well. Then you would have to run a 30a circuit for the H/P.

If your not going to use the elec heat pack change both the 50a and 40a breakers to 30a breakers:coffee:

P.S. What size is the wire on the 50a breaker ?

Here is the specs on this unit while i am trying to finf the wire size from the 50 amp breaker....I just turned the unit off at the main til i can get this straight..... Cooling Capacity
2.5 Ton

Cooling Capacity (btu)
28,600 Btu

Heating Capacity (btu)
27,400 Btu

Efficiency
13 Seer

Compressor Type
Copeland Scroll

Voltage
208/230 1 Phase

Max Breaker Size
30 Amps

Min/Max Volts
197/253

Refrigerant Type
R22

Supply Duct Dimensions
14"W x 14"H

Return Duct Dimensions
14"W x 22"H

Unit Size
66"w x 33"d x 30"h

Shipping Weight
325 Lbs

What is the M# & S# of the unit ?

The model # is GPH1330H21A.....BTW I went under the house and followed the big wire for about 10' going to the unit but could not find any kind of id as to size or any thing else on the wire covering. But i have a pc of #4 Aluminum wire in the shop and compared it to the wire going to the 50 amp breaker and it appears to be about the same size maybe just a tad smaller

look at your private messg

Oh my, talk about round and round. I know why Dun is banging his head.

Look, you have two choices.

Either run one line to the HP from one breaker capable of handling both the HP and elec heat and a disconnect at the HP with 2 breakers 1 for HP and 1 for elec heat.

Or run two wires from the panel with one being for the HP and one being for the elec heat.

Either way code requires a disconnect in sight and within 50 feet of the unit for each load. IMO option #1 is best.

10KW heat needs a 60 amp breaker and #6 wire.

Ok guys i appreciate all your help... I changed out the 40 amp breaker at the unit to a 30 amp.... I brought a new #6 wire out the main from a 60 amp breaker to the unit and added a 60 amp breaker to the cut off box to the 10kw heat strips... Everything seems to be working fine...thanks again