08 Jun 2026
During hot weather, an AC is one of the most relied-upon electrical appliances in a home. However, sometimes the AC is already set to a low temperature, yet the room still does not feel cool enough.
Many people immediately assume that the AC is damaged or that the refrigerant has run out. In reality, the cause can come from several factors, including the condition of the electrical installation and the cable being used.
Common Reasons Why an AC Is Not Cooling Properly
Some of the most common causes include:
- Dirty AC filters
- Dirty outdoor condenser
- Low or leaking refrigerant
- AC capacity that is too small for the room size
- Rooms that are opened too frequently
- Less-than-optimal electrical installation
All of these factors can make the AC work harder and reduce its cooling performance.
Does the Electrical Cable Affect AC Performance?
The answer is: it can.
An AC requires a stable power supply so that its compressor and entire cooling system can operate properly.
If the electrical cable used is undersized or does not match the required specification, several things can happen:
- Voltage drop
- The cable becomes hotter
- Energy consumption becomes less efficient
- AC performance decreases
- Equipment lifespan becomes shorter
That is why the quality of the power cable used for an AC is just as important as the quality of the AC itself.
When Installing an AC, Don’t Just Ask About the AC Brand
When the installation is carried out by a technician or contractor, there is one thing that is often overlooked.
Besides asking about the AC specifications, make sure to also ask:
“Is the cable being used already suitable?”
This simple question is very important to ensure that the electrical installation is safe and performs optimally.
What Should You Ask?
1. What Type of Cable Is Being Used?
For residential AC installations, household cables or building cables with copper conductors and good-quality cable insulation are commonly used.
Using high-quality cables helps maintain a more stable and safer electrical supply over the long term.
2. Is the Cable Size Appropriate?
The cable capacity must match the AC power requirement.
The higher the AC power consumption, the greater the electrical current required.
As a general reference:
AC Power Commonly Used Cable Size*
Up to approximately 900 Watts 1.5 mm²
Approximately 900–2,200 Watts 2.5 mm²
Above 2,200 Watts Requires calculation based on installation specifications
*The actual cable size must still follow installation standards, cable route length, operating current, and recommendations from a qualified technician or electrical consultant.
3. Does the AC Have Its Own Dedicated Circuit?
For larger-capacity AC units, it is generally better to use a dedicated electrical circuit rather than sharing the load with multiple other appliances.
This helps maintain AC performance and improves installation safety.
Don’t Forget About Cable Insulation
Besides cable size, the quality of the cable insulation is also important.
Good insulation helps:
- Keep the cable safe
- Reduce the risk of electrical leakage
- Protect the cable from heat and moisture
- Extend the lifespan of the installation
Today, many environmentally friendly cables are available and are designed to provide better safety and reliability.
Conclusion
An AC that does not cool effectively is not always caused by a problem with the AC unit itself. Dirty filters, low refrigerant, an AC capacity that does not match the room size, and electrical installation issues can all be contributing factors.
Therefore, when installing an AC, it is important to ensure that the electrical cable being used is suitable in both type and capacity. Asking about cable size, the quality of the cable insulation, and whether it matches the AC’s power requirements can help ensure that the system operates more efficiently.
By using high-quality cables from a trusted Indonesian cable manufacturer, residential electrical systems can become safer, more efficient, and more reliable in the long term. This applies not only to household cables, but also to building cables, industrial cables, and various infrastructure cable projects throughout Indonesia.
