A technician measures 5.5 amps on the thermostat sub-base. To set the heat anticipator correctly, what should the technician set it to?

When a technician measures the current draw of the thermostat sub-base at 5.5 amps, the heat anticipator should be set to match that reading. The heat anticipator is a device that helps to prevent the temperature from overshooting by cycling the furnace burner off before the desired temperature is reached. It does this by anticipating the heat rise that will occur once the burner turns off.

By setting the heat anticipator to the measured current of 5.5 amps, the technician ensures that the anticipator will cancel the call for heat at the appropriate time, aligning the heating cycles with the actual heating demand. An incorrect setting could lead to temperature fluctuations or inefficient operation, which the anticipator is designed to prevent.

In this case, setting it to the same measurement ensures proper function, making the choice to set the heat anticipator to 5.5 amps the correct and most effective option.