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To better understand the electrical requirements for heat pumps, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the key terms and principles involved. The rules for designing heat pump circuits are specified in Article 440 of the National Electrical Code (NEC).
Heat pumps require specific voltage, frequency, and number of phases to operate correctly. Electric grids in the United States, Canada, and Mexico run at a frequency of 60 Hz, while most grids in Europe, Asia, and Africa run at 50 Hz.
The amount of electrical current flowing through the conductors in a heat pump circuit is measured in amperes (A). Rated amps represent the current drawn by the heat pump under normal operating conditions.
A heat pump’s power requirement, in volt-amperes (VA), is calculated as follows: VA = Rated Amps x voltage. This calculation is used when sizing a main electric service and breaker panel.