It takes a complex system of electrical components that work together to provide cool air through an AC. You need to know a few points if something goes wrong with the whole electrical system, even if you don’t have to know exactly how it works.
What is an AC contactor?
Contactors are the parts of an air conditioner that control the flow of electricity to the unit. The AC contactor goes up when the AC is turned off, blocking power. Every time the air conditioner is turned on, the contactor is lowered, allowing electricity to flow through the system. Your home’s contactor goes up once it reaches the temperature set on the thermostat.
When an AC contactor fails, what happens?
A bad AC contactor will show physical evidence of a type of breakdown called pitting. Contactors that have been severely voltage will exhibit pitting. An air conditioning unit with pitted contactor sticks has a constant flow of electricity.
If the contractor fails, the air conditioning system will not cool the house adequately and may run continuously, even if the thermostat is turned off. An electrical failure occurs when wire insulation breaks down over time, resulting in a burned contactor. Occasionally, insects and residue can cause a bad contactor by interfering with electrical connections, resulting in a mechanical failure. Fortunately, they can be repaired.
A bad AC contactor results in:
- Insufficient cooling.
- Electrical failure.
- Cracked evaporator coils and condenser.
- High electricity bills.
- Peculiar noise.
- Frequent repairs or replacement.
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How to Test an AC Contactor
Turn off the power to the air conditioner before you remove the contactor. Make sure the breaker is also off before you remove the contactor. A short circuit may result in electrocution if the breaker is not off.
As soon as the power is turned off, walk to the condenser unit. It is on the side of the unit connected to the wires that the AC’s control panel can be found. It is removed using a screwdriver, and the AC’s control panel can be found.
A vertically positioned black rectangle is connected to several colored lines. This is the contractor. During the replacement of the damaged part, take a picture of the wiring and contractor so you’ll know how to reconnect the wires.
Obtain a screwdriver and unscrew the contactor (while it remains connected to wires). Separate the wires from the contactor.If you want to test the contractor, you will need a multimeter. Make sure it is set to the “OL” setting. It would help if you connected a multimeter to both low-voltage terminals of the contactor. If the contractor is operating correctly, the multimeter should indicate a reading between 5 and 20.
The contractor is not functional if you get a lower number or no reading. Use the picture you took as a guide to purchase and rewire a replacement unit.Install the paneling on the side of your condenser and turn on your air conditioner. For Readers!
Conclusion
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