Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: ritelec, Location: Jersey
Asked on: Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 11:20 am EDT
Answered on: Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 10:48 am EDT
Question: Hello. The church picked up a new built in wall ac after the other old one failed. The ac receptacle is reading 208.They gave the old model number and was given a unit that is 230v.I noticed on line that there are units rated 208/230v. This one does not say 208v.Should this 230v unit work on 208v? I do have a call out to frigidaire but would like to get your thought on this. I know years ago I was gifted a 208 volt unit and installed it in my house and had to install a buck boost transformer cause there was issues with the way it was running.Thank you for the help
Can a 230V AC unit work on 208V?
Generally, a 230V AC unit can operate on 208V, but it is not recommended.
Reasons not to use a 230V unit on 208V
Reduced Efficiency
The unit will operate at a slightly lower voltage, which can reduce its efficiency and performance.
Overheating
If the unit is not designed to operate on lower voltage, it may overheat and eventually fail.
Warranty Issues
Using a unit on an improper voltage can void its warranty.
208/230V Units
Some AC units are rated for both 208V and 230V. These units have internal components that allow them to operate safely on either voltage. If you have one of these units, you can use it on either 208V or 230V.
In your case
Since the new unit is not rated for 208V, it is not advisable to install it on a 208V receptacle. It is best to contact Frigidaire and find out if there is a compatible 208V model available.
Additional considerations
Buck Boost Transformer
As you mentioned, a buck boost transformer can be used to adjust the voltage to the correct level. However, this is not always the best solution, as it can introduce additional energy losses and potential reliability issues.*
Wiring Verification: Ensure that the wiring is correct and that the receptacle is indeed outputting 208V. Flag for review