Can you assist in my adding a breaker to my Rheem A/C Heat Pump writing box?

Recently, I had a biannual cleaning of my Rheem A/C Heatpump. The guy who came out expressed surprise at the wiring, though he could not make the changes needed without exorbitant charges, he did tell me what needed to be done.





Unfortunately, I was not at home and when I did get home, the instructions he gave me don't seem exactly right.





Here is a photo of the current wiring. The box sits right above the A/C.


http://home.comcast.net/~synchronicity/p...





He explained that there should really be two breakers and that the installers sort of 'cut corners' in installing this, and placing in the second breaker is better. He said that the two white wires in the center needed to have a breaker between them. Unfortunately, I cannot figure out how.





If I were to put in a breaker, the breaker is plugged into the power. It would seem to be to be incorrect, then, to place BOTH of those white wires onto the breaker.





I'd appreciate some input on this. Professionals please.

Can you assist in my adding a breaker to my Rheem A/C Heat Pump writing box?
I'm not real sure why he would tell you this.... the box on the outside of your home is actually fed from your main breaker panel on the inside of your home. The breaker you see on the outside is not installed by your AC contractor, but by a Electrical contractor. This box is only used as a disconnect for when you work on the outside unit, this is not used as a source of protection for the condenser unit or the wiring going to it. Also, it is hard to say what these white wires go to without examining the unit, but usually in the electric industry, they are for a neutral and do not require a breaker....hope this helps some.... if you have more information please post.
Reply:Why are there two breakers for one unit? Is it a package all electric unit with the AC/heat pump plus electric heat all outside? If so it is probobly fused at the main panel anyway and the disconnect box in your pic is not big enough for another breaker is it? So they have used the outside disconnect as a junction box as well to tie in the electric heat i would imagine. You can either leave it this way or install a secondary box for the electric heat.