4/13/2019

 Sizing wire,
 Disconnect switches,
MEC513  Fusible load centers,
 Breaker panels,
ELECTRICAL DESIGN AND ASPECTS  Distribution centers,

OF HVAC  Installing electrical circuits for refrigeration, heating, and air-conditioning equipment,
 Contactor,
 Relays,
 Overloads,
 Magnetic starter,
 Push-button stations,
Unit – 3: Installation of Heating, Cooling, and Refrigeration Systems
 Transformers,
 Thermostats,
 Pressure switches

 The proper installation of heating, cooling, and refrigeration equipment is as  SECTION 9:WIRING INSTALLATIONS
important as any other phase of the industry.  A major portion of fixed installation
 Installation covers a broad range of subjects, but one of the most important is the design in a building relates to wiring
electric circuit servicing the equipment and its size. installation.
 Thus, industry technicians should be familiar with the structure’s circuitry and circuit  The National Electrical Code governs
components. the types and sizes of wire that can
 Once the electric utility delivers the power to the structure, the customer must bring be used for a particular application
it inside. and a certain amperage.
 The correct wire and fuse size is
 Several kinds of electric panels are used in residences, and many types are used in
commercial and industrial structures to accomplish this. important to the life and efficiency of
any equipment.
 Hence, it is important for service and installation technicians to understand how  Hence, the installation mechanic
electric power is distributed within the structure.
should know how to determine the
size to use.
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SIZING WIRE SIZING WIRE

 Copper is the most popular conductor in the industry. However, aluminum is used in The nominal cross-
some cases because of its low cost. sectional area of
phase conductors
 Copper wire is a good conductor of electricity and has many other characteristics in AC circuits and of
that contribute to its popularity. live conductors in
DC circuits shall be
 Copper wire bends easily, has good mechanical strength, resists corrosion, and can not less than the
be easily joined. values specified in
 Aluminum conductors, on the other hand, do not have all the good characteristics of Table 1.
copper.
 Aluminum conducts electricity well enough, but problems arise because aluminum
corrodes easily.
 Thus, aluminum wire connections have a tendency to become loose because of
coefficient of expansion.

 voltage drop, insulation type, enclosure, and safety.

 The type of insulation surrounding the conductor usually determines its
application and the amperage it can be used for.
 Insulation of different grades is used for different purposes. For example,
insulation can be heat resistant, moisture resistant, heat and moisture resistant,
or oil resistant.
 Several factors should be considered when sizing circuit conductors.
 The voltage drop of a circuit, which takes into account the distance the
conductors must be fed, must be calculated by the installation technician.
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Low Voltage Cables

 LV cable is used widely in many industries ranging from industries involved in water,
renewable energy, distribution and power networks, nuclear and thermal power stations,
airports, marine, defence, telecommunications, windmills, building, mining, offshore
applications, ship wiring, railways, automation, audio-visual and manufacturing industries,
these cables can be suitable for a huge amount of applications.
 Low Voltage Cables come in a variety of sizes, materials, and types, each particularly adapted
to its uses. Cables consist of three major components: conductors, insulation, and protective
outer sheath. The makeup of individual cables varies according to application.
 The construction and material are determined by three main factors
 Working voltage, determining the thickness of the insulation
 Current-carrying capacity, determining the cross-sectional size of the conductor(s)
 Environmental conditions such as temperature, water, chemical or sunlight exposure, and
mechanical impact, determining the form and composition of the outer sheath of cable.

High Voltage Cables Voltage Drop:

 High Voltage Cables include voltage grade ranges in 3.3 kV to
33 kV, suitably ideal for power transmission & distribution.  Voltage drop in a conductor is of prime importance when sizing wire.
 Water/moisture resistant MV cables : Cables designs  Any voltage that drops between the supply and the equipment is lost to the
incorporating corrugated Aluminium sheath (CAS), corrugated equipment.
Copper sheath (CCU), corrugated Stainless steel sheath (CSS),
lead alloy sheath (LAS) or Polyethylene laminated Aluminium  If the voltage drop is large enough, it will seriously affect the operation of the
tape (APL) are most suitable cable designs to lay in conditions equipment. But even a small voltage drop is detrimental to the equipment.
susceptible to water & moisture.
 Flame retardant (FR), Flame retardant low smoke & halogen (FR-  The voltage drop can be easily measured when the equipment is operating by
LSH), low smoke, zero halogen (LSZH) MV cables : At stringent reading the voltage at the supply and subtracting from that the voltage read at the
places like hospital, cinema halls, shopping malls, tunnels, equipment.
Airports, intermittent or continuous presence of flamable
gaseous materials etc., cables subjected to fire are constructed  If we read 240 volts at the supply and 210 volts at the equipment when it is operating,
with the above material for full safety.
then there is a voltage drop of 30 volts in the circuit.
 Rodent & termite resistant MV cables : Cables are designed for
robust protection needed to block rodents and polyamide  The maximum recommended voltage drop for a branch circuit is 3%.
jacket provides anti-termite protection.
 The allowable voltage drop of most manufacturers is 10% below the nameplate rating.
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Wiring Sizing Charts: Wiring Sizing Charts:

 Electrical wire size are sold in square mm unit in India. Electrical wires sizes start from 1.0 Sq
mm and can go up to 6 Sq mm for domestic / home purposes.

Wire Size (Square mm) Functionality/Purpose

1 Sq mm Wires Earthing Purpose
Distribution purpose. From switchboard to
1.5 Sq mm Wires
lighting / fan points.
Distribution Board (DB) to main boards in a
2.5 Sq mm Wires
room
Geyser/Heaters, Electrical Induction stove,
4.0 Sq mm Wires other electrical appliances which require 15
Amperes
6 Sq mm Wires For Air conditioners (up to 1.5 Tons capacity)

Wiring Sizing Charts:  All heating, cooling, and refrigeration equipment should have some means for
disconnecting the power supply at the equipment.
 The neutral conductor, if present, must not be disconnected by this device.
 Disconnect switches are used to provide a positive way to disconnect the power source
to the equipment being serviced by the technician.
 A disconnect switch is a two- or three-pole switch mounted in an enclosure.
 The disconnect switch is basically a convenient, easy, and safe means of disconnecting
power from the equipment for servicing and testing the equipment or for safety
purposes.
 A three-pole–three fuse switch would be used for three-phase circuits and would not
have a ground lug.
 A three-pole–two-fuse witch would be used on single-phase circuits and would have a
ground lug.
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• The incoming energy source is connected to the L1 and L2 or line terminals in the
disconnect, while the supply to the equipment is connected to the T1 and Ts or load
terminals in the disconnect.

• The heavy-duty
disconnect switch
would be installed for
equipment requiring
frequent switching.
• The general-duty
switch would be used
for equipment
requiring infrequent
switching.

Enclosures:
• The type of enclosure that the disconnect switch mounts in is determined by the
conditions existing in the area of installation.
• A general type of enclosure could only be used where there were no problems of
moisture, dust, or explosive fumes.
• A rain-tight disconnect enclosure could be used in areas of moisture but not where dust
or explosive fumes exist.
• An explosion-proof enclosure could be used in any location, but it is much more
expensive than other enclosures and hence is not used without reason.
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Types Selection:
• The purpose of a disconnect switch can be twofold. First, it can be used as a means of • The selection of a fusible disconnect switch is determined by duty, enclosure type, and
disconnecting the supply power going to the equipment. size.
• Second, it can be used as a safety device when fused correctly. • Fuses are designed so that one size covers several different ampacities. The same size
• If the only purpose of a disconnect switch is to break the power supply, then a non- fuse can be purchased to cover from 1 to 30 amperes, from 30 to 60 amperes, from 70 to
fusible disconnect switch should be used. 100 amperes, and from 100 to 200 amperes.
• But if a means of protection for the wire or equipment is needed, a fusible disconnect • Disconnect switches are rated 30 amperes, 60 amperes, 100 amperes, 200 amperes, 400
switch should be used with the proper fuse sizes. amperes, and 600 amperes.
• A 30-ampere disconnect switch would be used for any load from 1 ampere to 30
amperes.
• A 200-ampere disconnect switch can be used with fuses from 100 amperes
to 200 amperes.
• Other determining factors of the switches can easily be selected from a manufacturer’s
catalog.

Installation: • Fusible load centers, or

• In the installation of a disconnect breaker panels, are electric
switch, it is imperative that the panels that supply the circuits
wiring connections be made tightly. in a structure with power and
• The line voltage wires should always protect those circuits with
be connected at the top of the fuses.
enclosure. • Fusible load centers were
• The load or wires supplying the unit popular until about 1968, when
should be connected to the load side breaker panels gained
or bottom of the fuses. prominence in the market.
• At no time should wires be installed • Air-conditioning technicians
in an enclosure without the proper often find themselves working
connection. on fusible load centers when
the owner of an older home
decides to have air
conditioning installed.
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• Many fusible load centers are still in existence, so technicians must understand them
and know how to make the correct connections.
• The newest fusible load centers are built with the capacity of taking additional fuse
blocks in the main lugs, which supply power to the entire panel, at any time if a space is
available.
• This capacity allows the electrician to install the additional circuits required for any
particular structure.
• It is relatively easy to add a circuit to the late-model panels by merely inserting the fuse
blocks and screwing them in.

• Breakers are devices that detect any overload above their rating in a circuit and open Construction
the circuit automatically. The breaker must then be reset manually. • Breaker panels are built in several different forms, but they all serve the same purpose.
• Breakers can be obtained for almost any application, no matter how large or small. • Different manufacturers build breaker panels that are similar in design, but the
Breakers are made with one, two, or three poles. breakers from different manufacturers do not usually fit each others’ panels.
• The poles denote how many hot legs are being fed from the breaker to the appliance. • However, several manufacturers’ equipment does interchange.
• A one-pole breaker supplies one hot leg and makes up a 120-volt–single-phase circuit. • Breaker panels are built with or without main breakers.
• A two-pole breaker supplies two hot legs and makes a 240-volt–single-phase circuit. • A main breaker installed in the breaker panel provides
• A three-pole breaker supplies a main switch in the panel and adds a means of
three hot legs and makes up a overload protection for the entire panel.
three-phase circuit at the supplied • A breaker panel can be obtained with main lugs and no
voltage. main breaker, but the breaker should have some
• Breakers are available with means of protection.
amperage ratings between 1 • Breaker panels are rated by how many amperes the
ampere and several hundred main lugs can carry and by the rating of the main
amperes, depending on the breaker.
application.
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Construction Construction
• Breaker panels are built for use with • The commercial and industrial breaker
single-phase or three-phase systems panel can meet almost any specifications
and for 250 volts or 600 volts. that the customer requires.
• The breaker panel in the average • The commercial and industrial panels are
residence is rated at 150 amperes or built for more rugged duty than are the
200 amperes and is a general-duty usual residential panels.
type. • Most commercial and industrial panels
• The breakers snap into a residential use breakers that attach to main lugs with
panel (as they do in some commercial screws.
and industrial panels).

Installation Installation
• The installation of a breaker into a breaker panel • Figure shows a breaker being installed in a
causes little or no trouble. breaker panel.
• Breakers connect in some panels by attachment • Care should be taken to ensure the
to the main lugs with clips. breaker is correctly aligned with the
• Other breakers are attached to the main lugs by proper clip in the panel.
screws. • When installing a breaker that is attached
• Technicians should be familiar with breakers to the lug with a screw, make certain that
and breaker panels to order the correct breaker the connection is tight.
for a particular use. • Before installing a breaker in a panel, you
• In most cases, breaker panels have some open should cut off the power supply to the
spaces. panel.
• If a situation arises where there is no spare
opening, a breaker with two circuits can replace
a standard one-circuit breaker. Most
manufacturers produce this type of breaker.
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Installation • Distribution centers are

• On rare occasions circuit breakers are faulty. designed to distribute the
• Either they cannot be reset or they open the circuit on a lower amperage than the rating. electrical supply to several
• If either condition exists, the breaker must be replaced. places in a large structure.
• A breaker can be checked for resetting if a voltage reading is taken between the ground • Their use is largely confined to
and the breaker. commercial and industrial
• If voltage is available to the load side of the breaker under load, the breaker is good. applications.
• In rare cases, a breaker could be stuck in the closed position, and if so, it should be • Panel A is the main distribution
replaced. point between the electric
• The breaker that trips at a lower-than-rated amperage should be checked with an actual service and other panels and the
ampere reading of the circuit. heating and air-conditioning
equipment.

• In a very large structure, it would • Power source

not be unusual to find several • Common power distribution equipment in structures today includes fusible load
distribution centers. centers, breaker panels, or large distribution centers.
• A distribution center often saves
• Fusible load centers and medium-duty breaker panels are used in most residences to
a great deal of money because
distribute the electrical power to individual circuits within the structure.
many circuits are shortened and
only the main circuit is lengthy. • Distribution panels and heavy-duty breaker panels are used in most commercial and
• Distribution centers can be of the industrial applications for power distribution.
fusible or circuit-breaker design. • Path for the electrical energy to flow.
• The fusible design is the more • Determine the correct type and size of conductor .
popular mainly because of its • Determine what type of conduit or covering.
moderate cost.
• Larger breakers are extremely • Many different types of conduit are available to protect electrical conductors from the
elements, including electrical metallic tubing, rigid conduit, plastic flexible conduit,
expensive and hence are not
used often. polyvinylchloride (PVC) conduit, and many others.
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• The electrical circuit supplying power to the equipment must have a means to protect • When installing a piece of air-conditioning equipment, the technician must determine
the wire and a method to disconnect the power when service is required. the location of electrical energy that will be supplied to the selected equipment.
• Overcurrent protection could come in the form of a circuit breaker or fuse. • In most residences, this supply will be from a fusible load center or a circuit breaker
• In order to protect the conductors supplying the electrical energy and the equipment, load center.
the installation technician will have to correctly size and install the chosen method of • In commercial and industrial applications, a circuit breaker panel or distribution panel
protection. will supply the electrical energy to the selected equipment.
• The selection of the protective devices should meet the National Electrical Code as well • Once the source location has been
as local and state codes. determined, the technician must
• In most applications, some form of a disconnect switch is used to interrupt the power determine how to get the electrical
supply to the equipment in the event that equipment needs service or needs to be shut energy from the source to the
down. equipment.
• Weather-resistant cable or conduit
should be used from the disconnect
to the outdoor unit.
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• A contactor is used to control an electric • The largest electric load in any cooling
load in a control system. system that requires control is the
• Contactors make or break a set of contacts compressor.
that controls the voltage applied to some • In smaller equipment, several other loads
load in cooling systems. might be connected in parallel with the
• They isolate the voltage controlling its compressor.
magnetic coil from the voltage applied to • Larger systems usually maintain a switching
the load, making it possible to control a device for each component.
higher-voltage or power-consuming load, • The contactor used in a small residential air-
with a lower-voltage or power-consuming conditioning unit probably controls the
control circuit (pilot duty). compressor and condenser fan motor.
• Large air-conditioning units usually have
several contactors.
• A large condensing unit, for example, might
use two contactors for the compressor and
three for the condenser fan motors.

Operation Operation
• The armature of a contactor is the portion that moves. The movement of the armature can be • The armature of a contactor is connected by a
accomplished in basically two ways, with a sliding armature or a swinging armature. mechanical linkage to a set of contacts that causes a
• The sliding armature mounts between two slots in the frame of the contactor and moves up and completed circuit when the armature is pulled into
down in these slots. the magnetic field produced by the coil.
• The swinging armature is mounted on a pivot or hinge and moves up and down in a swinging • The magnetic field that closes a contactor is created
motion. by a coil wound around a laminated iron core.
• When the coil is energized, a magnetic field is
created around the laminated core.
• The core then becomes an electromagnet of sufficient
strength to attract the armature closing the contacts.
• Some contactors have springs mounted between the
armature and the stationary contacts to ensure the
contactor opens when the coil is de-energized.
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Operation Coils
• Coil characteristics depend on the type of wire and the manner in which it is wound.
• The potential coil is energized by a certain voltage being applied to it.
• Coils of this type are designed to be operated on 24 volts, 120 volts, 208/240 volts, and
occasionally 480 volts.
• The connection of a coil is usually made directly on the terminals of the coil, but in some cases,
the connections are jumped to a section of the contactor frame.

Contacts Troubleshooting
• There are two types of loads that a contactor can control: • The diagnosis of a faulty contactor encompasses three sections of the contactor: the coil, the
 An inductive load, such as a motor, which has a higher ampere draw on startup than contacts, and the mechanical linkage.
while running; and Coil
 A resistive load, which has a constant ampere draw, such as a resistance heater. • The contactor coil must be in good condition to create a strong enough electromagnetic
• Contacts are made of silver and cadmium, which resist sticking. force to pull in the contactor.
• The contacts are connected to a strong backing by mechanical or chemical bonding. • Excessive friction in the mechanical linkage
• The chemical composition of contacts is such that they operate at cool temperatures of up to • The coil can be diagnosed as good, open, or shorted.
125% of their current-carrying capacity. • The open and shorted conditions indicate a bad coil and can be checked with an ohmmeter.
• Contactors are usually manufactured with two or three poles and in many cases four. • If the coil is shorted, the resistance reading will be zero.
• The fourth pole is used to interlock some load device into the system or can be left unused. • If the coil is open, the resistance will be infinite.
• A two-pole contactor is usually used for single-phase systems. • A measurable resistance usually indicates a good coil.
• However single-pole contactors are sometimes used on single-phase systems. • A coil can also be checked by applying voltage to it and observing the contactor to see if it
• A contactor with at least three poles is required for three-phase systems. closes.
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Troubleshooting Troubleshooting
Contacts Mechanical Linkage
• The contactor contacts must be in good condition • Probably the easiest faults to diagnose with a contactor are problems with the mechanical
to ensure that the proper voltage reaches the load. linkage.
In most cases, a visual inspection is sufficient to • In most cases, any trouble with the mechanical linkage can be detected by visual inspection.
diagnose bad contacts.
• Or problems can be detected by breaking the power supply and manually moving the armature
• A voltage reading taken across the contacts of the of the contactor to see if the movement is free and without excessive friction.
same pole will show the voltage drop across the
• The mechanical linkage of a contactor will usually fail because of wear, corrosion, or moisture.
contacts.
• In many cases when a contactor coil burns out, it will heat the coil and cause the varnish of the
• The voltage indicated on the meter is the voltage
coil to gum up the contactor.
drop across the contacts (the voltage lost to the
equipment). • For a contactor to operate properly, it must seat the contacts accurately and have free moving
parts.
• The 20 volts shown on the meter are considered to
be excessive. Hence, the contactor should be
replaced or repaired. Any voltage above 5% of the
rated voltage for the equipment is considered to
be excessive.

• Relays are used to open and Operation

close a circuit to allow the • Main components: a coil, contacts, and some type of mechanical linkage
automatic control of a device or
• To open and close the contacts when the relay coil is energized.
circuit.
• When voltage is applied to a relay, it will close because of the magnetic field
• Relays are similar to contactors
created in the coil and iron core.
with the exception of the pole
configuration and the amount of • This magnetic field causes the armature of the relay to be attracted to the
current that each device can electromagnet created by the coil and its core.
effectively handle. • The coil of a relay can be energized by voltage or current draw.
• Relays can be used to control • The general type of relay controlling a device is closed by voltage.
most devices in the system within • The current relay is used to control some starting device when used with a small
a certain ampacity limit. hermetic motor.
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Operation Types:
• The normal position of the relay • SPST; SPDT; DPST; DPDT
denotes the position of any controlling
device in the de-energized position
• Normally open or normally closed
contacts
• The most common types of pole
configuration for relays are single-
pole–single-throw, single-pole–double-
throw, double-pole– single-throw, and
double-pole–double-throw.

Types: Types:
• SPST; SPDT; DPST; DPDT • DPDT
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Application Application
• Used to control indoor fan motors, condenser fan motors, damper motors, starting  Indoor Fan Relay:
capacitors, and control lockouts. • On the cooling cycle, the indoor
• Used for any device that requires an automatic means of opening and closing a fan must be energized.
circuit. • This is accomplished by the use of
an indoor fan relay.
• The indoor fan relay will energize
when the system switch and the fan
switch or the cooling thermostat
are closed, starting the fan motor.

Application Application
 Indoor Fan Relay:  Indoor Fan Relay:
• The indoor fan relay can also be • Relays can also be used to control large
used to control a two-speed fan contactors that cannot be effectively
motor, using high speed on cooling energized with 24 volts in a control
and low speed on heating, with a system.
thermal fan switch controlling the
fan motor on heating.
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Application Construction:
• The potential or voltage-type relay is energized when voltage is • The contact is made of a silver and
applied to the relay coil. cadmium alloy attached to some
• This relay is used to control some load device by opening and closing its contacts. kind of strong backing that can
withstand the pressure exerted by
• The voltage-type relay can be used for many purposes, such as indoor fan relays,
the armature.
condenser fan relays, control relays, and lockout relays.
• A relay is usually mounted in a
Types: plastic enclosure. Hence, visual
• The potential relay uses voltage to energize its coil and drop the starting inspection is not as easy for relays
apparatus out of the circuit. as it is for contactors.
• The current relay uses current flow to energize the circuit that contains the • The relay contacts usually cannot be
starting apparatus and then drops the circuit out when the current has dropped. seen unless the relay is
• The solid-state relay uses heat to open and close starting circuits when it is used disassembled or the cover is
with a motor. removed.

Construction: Construction:
• The relay armature can be swinging or sliding. • The size of the relay coil is smaller than the contactor coil.
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DIFFERENCES
Troubleshooting: According to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers:
• Diagnosis of a coil is the same whether it is for a relay or for a contactor. Relay – “A device by means of which contacts in one circuit are operated by a change in
conditions in the same circuit or in one or more associated circuits”.
• The relay contacts are usually hidden and cannot be visually inspected without
Contactor – “A device for repeatedly establishing and interrupting an electric circuit
disassembly.They must be checked with an ohmmeter.
under normal conditions”.
• The contacts of a relay are not as heavy as the contacts of a contactor and therefore
can take less punishment. 1. Load Capacity
• Normally open and normally closed relay contacts will be completely melted if Relays: Carrying loads of 10A or less,
connected across line voltage with no load in series. Contactor: Used for loads greater than 10A.
• This must be taken into consideration when troubleshooting the contacts of relays.
• The mechanical linkage of a relay gives less trouble than that of a contactor because 2. Open/Closed Contact Standards
of the lighter weight of the armature. Contactors: Exclusively designed to operate with normally open (Form A) contacts.
Relays: Both Normally Open and/or Normally Closed depending on the desired
• Any mechanical linkage problem in a relay will usually be caused by sticking
function.
contacts.
This means that with a contactor, when it is de-energized there is (typically) no
connection.With a relay there very well could be.

DIFFERENCES DIFFERENCES
3. Auxiliary Contacts 5. Safety Features (Arc Suppression)
Contactors: Fitted with auxiliary contacts which can be NO or NC however these Contactors: Magnetic arc suppression works by extending the path an arc would
are used to perform additional functions related the control of the contactor. have to travel.
For example, the contactor may transmit power to the motor, while the auxiliary If this distance is extended further than the energy can overcome, the arc is
contact is in the control circuit of the motor starter and commonly used to turn on a suppressed.
pilot light indicating the motor is operating. Relays: Since relays aren’t designed for high loads, arcing is less of a concern and
arc suppression is much less common on relays.
4. Safety Features (Spring-Loaded Contacts)
Contactors: This is important because in high load situations contacts can weld 6. Safety Features (Overloads)
themselves together. This can create the dangerous situation of a circuit being Contactors: Commonly connected to overloads that will interrupt the circuit if the
energized when it is supposed to be off. current exceeds a set threshold for a selected time period, usually 10-30 seconds.
Spring-loaded contacts help to reduce this chance, as well as ensure all circuits are This is to help protect the equipment downstream of the contactor from damage due to
broken at the same time. Since relays are typically for lower power, spring-loaded current.
contacts are much less common. Relays: Overloads are much less common on relays.
 4/13/2019

DIFFERENCES
Applications:
• An overload is an electric device that protects a load from a high ampere draw
When selecting between the two, some very general rules you can follow to help
by breaking a set of contacts.
When to Use a Relay: • The simplest form of overload protection is the fuse.
• 10A or less current • Fuses can be used to protect wires and noninductive loads, but they provide
• Up to 250VAC inadequate protection for inductive loads.
• 1 phase • A load that is purely resistive in nature with no coils to cause induction is called
• Not repairable a resistive or noninductive load.
• Cheap • The most common resistive load used in the industry is an electric heater.
When to Use a Contactor:
• 9A or more current
• Up to 1000VAC
• 1 or 3 phase
• Repairable
• Costly

FUSES FUSES
• Fuses consist of two ends or conductors with a piece of wire that will melt and • The system controls three
break the circuit if the current passing through it exceeds the amperage rating of electric heaters by
the fuse. energizing contactors to
• Fuses are available in many different styles and designs. start the heaters.
• Fuses are used most commonly to protect wires, circuit components, and • The fuses in the circuit
noninductive loads. are used as safety
• Electric resistance heaters are the most common resistive loads protected by devices for the heaters.
fuses. • Circuit breakers are used
for the same purpose as
fuses but allow a high
starting load.
• However, many control
circuits use fuses for
protection.
 4/13/2019

LINE BREAK AND PILOT DUTY LINE BREAK AND PILOT DUTY
• Overload devices used to protect • Overloads can be divided into two basic groups: line break and pilot duty.
inductive loads are more effective • The line break overload breaks the power to a motor.
devices than fuses but are also more
• A pilot duty overload breaks an auxiliary set of contacts connected in the control
complex.
circuit.
• Inductive loads require more
• Overloads can be manual or automatic reset; the manual reset must be reset by the
amperage to start than to run.
service technician or customer, but the automatic reset will reset automatically.
• The amperage of a motor at the
moment power is applied is largest
because the rotor of the motor is in a
stationary position, locked rotor
condition.

LINE BREAK AND PILOT DUTY LINE BREAK AND PILOT DUTY
Line Break Overload: Line Break Overload:
• One of the most common types of line voltage overloads is a metal disc mounted • Figure (a) shows a schematic diagram of a bimetal overload in closed position.
between two contacts. It is called a bimetal line break overload. • If the current draw or temperature of the motor is sufficient to cause the disc to
overheat and expand, the contact opens, as shown in Figure (b).
• This breaks the flow of power to the load
 4/13/2019

LINE BREAK AND PILOT DUTY LINE BREAK AND PILOT DUTY
Line Break Overload: Line Break Overload:
• In some overloads, a heater or wire installed below the disc is sized to give off • Figure shows a fractional horsepower
heat, as shown in Figure.This gives a more accurate range of protection. compressor with an in-line overload.

LINE BREAK AND PILOT DUTY LINE BREAK AND PILOT DUTY
Line Break Overload: Line Break Overload:
• Figure shows a three-phase overload for a compressor. • Other types of bimetal
overloads are the two-wire and
three-wire klixon overloads.
• The three-wire overload uses the
current draw of both windings to
open or close the overload and
break the common to both
windings.
 4/13/2019

LINE BREAK AND PILOT DUTY LINE BREAK AND PILOT DUTY
Line Break Overload: Line Break Overload:
• The most popular line break overload • The internal compressor overload is a small
for use in small central residential device inserted into the motor windings.
systems is an internal compressor • This overload can sense the current draw of
overload. the motor, as well as the winding
temperature, more effectively than external
overloads.

LINE BREAK AND PILOT DUTY LINE BREAK AND PILOT DUTY
Line Break Overload: Pilot Duty Overload:
• Some small three-phase hermetic motors also use an internal type of overload. • The pilot duty overload breaks the
• Internal overloads should not be confused with internal thermostats. control circuit when an overload
occurs, which would cause a
• They are similar in appearance. The purpose of an internal thermostat is to break
contactor to be de-energized.
the control line if the windings overheat.
• This type of overload is common on
larger systems and still exists on
some smaller systems currently in
the field.
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LINE BREAK AND PILOT DUTY LINE BREAK AND PILOT DUTY
Pilot Duty Overload: Pilot Duty Overload:
• Two basic pilot duty overloads are • The magnetic, or Heinemann, overload, is
being used in the industry today: the another type of pilot duty overload used in
current overload and the magnetic the industry.
overload. • The magnetic overload consists of a
movable metal core in a tube filled with
• The current overload works similarly
silicone or oil.
to the line break overloads except that
a pilot duty set of contacts is opened • Surrounding the metal tube is a coil of wire.
rather than the line. • When the current increases, so does the
magnetic field of the coil.
• In most cases, the bimetal disc of the
• The overload operates by the magnetic
overload would have to be so heavy
field created by the coil.
that it could not control line voltage
effectively. • The device is designed to create a
magnetic field that is strong enough to pull
• Therefore, in larger overloads pilot duty the core up, opening the pilot contacts on
contacts are used. overload.

LINE BREAK AND PILOT DUTY LINE BREAK AND PILOT DUTY
Pilot Duty Overload: Pilot Duty Overload:
• The magnetic overload has a time-delay feature. There is a small hole drilled in the
core.
• Once the field begins pulling the core in, the oil or silicone must go from one end of
the tube to the other through the small hole.
• Thus, there is a short interval, due to the oil flow, between the time the motor starts up
and the time the overload would break the circuit.
• The time delay should be long enough to avoid nuisance tripping caused by
harmless transients, yet fast enough to open the circuit when a hazard exists.
 4/13/2019

LINE BREAK AND PILOT DUTY LINE BREAK AND PILOT DUTY
Pilot Duty Overload: Pilot Duty Overload:
• If the delay tube is filled with air, the core will move rather quickly, and the breaker will • The magnetic overload has a
trip quickly. time-delay feature. There is a
• This is characteristic of the Ultrashort trip time delay. Solid state devices, which cannot small hole drilled in the core.
tolerate even short periods of current overload, should use the Instantaneous trip time • Once the field begins pulling
delay, which have no intentional time delay. the core in, the oil or silicone
• When the delay tube is filled with a light viscosity, temperature stable fluid, the core's must go from one end of the
travel to the full "in" position will be intentionally delayed. This results in the slightly tube to the other through the
longer Medium trip time delays that are used from general purpose applications. small hole.
• When a heavy viscosity fluid is used, the result will be a very Long trip time delay. These • Thus, there is a short interval,
delays are commonly used in motor applications to minimize the potential for nuisance due to the oil flow, between the
tripping during lengthy motor start-ups. time the motor starts up and
• Hydraulic delay protectors have the added advantage of tripping slightly sooner when the time the overload would
operating in higher temperature conditions and slightly longer in lower temperature break the circuit.
conditions. This characteristic mirrors the protection needs in most applications.

Troubleshooting: • The transformer in a heating or cooling system provides the low voltage power
• An ohmmeter can be used to test the contacts in both pilot duty and line break source for the control circuit.
overloads. • It transforms line voltage to the lower voltage needed for the control system.
• In some cases, there will be a break in the heater or coil, depending on the type • Most residences and small commercial installations use a 24-volt control
of overload you are checking. system.
• This element of an overload can also be checked with an ohmmeter. • The transformer for a residential unit is
used to convert line voltage to 24 volts.
• Some commercial and industrial high-
voltage equipment use transformers that
drop the line voltage to 240 or 120 volts.
 4/13/2019

Operations
• Transformers are stationary inductive devices that transfer electric energy from
one circuit to another by induction.
• The transformer has two windings, primary and secondary.
• An alternating current voltage is applied to the primary winding of a transformer
and induces a current in the secondary winding.
• Many different types of transformers are used in the industry.
• A step-down transformer induces a secondary voltage at a lower rate than the
primary. This type of transformer is used for the power supply of a low-voltage
system.
• A step-up transformer induces a secondary voltage at a rate higher than the
primary. This type of transformer is used to boost the voltage.

Operations Sizing Transformer

• Transformers are like many other electric components. They are not 100%
efficient.
• In other words, there is a loss between the primary and secondary windings.
• This loss must be considered when sizing transformers for a certain job.
• Transformers are rated by their primary voltage, secondary voltage, and
voltamperes (VA).
• System equipment must be considered in transformer sizing along with the
transformer rating.
 4/13/2019

Sizing Transformer Sizing Transformer

• The selection of a transformer vitally affects the performance and life of electric • Even when transformers are sized correctly, care should be taken to avoid an
components in heating, cooling, and refrigeration equipment. excessive voltage drop in the low-voltage control circuit.
• A transformer too small for the control circuit will result in a lower-than-normal low • When using a 24-volt control system with a remote thermostat, size the thermostat
voltage to the control circuit. wire to carry sufficient current between the transformer and the thermostat.
• This will result in improper operation of contactors or motor starters due to • The capacity of a transformer is described by its electric rating, primary voltage,
chattering or sticking contacts, burned holding coils, or the failure of contacts to frequency, secondary voltage, and the load rating in voltamperes.
close properly. • The maximum load of a transformer used in an air-conditioning control circuit is
• All these conditions can cause system failure and possible damage to the 100 VA. The maximum voltage is 30 V.
compressor. • Fuses can be used on the secondary side of the transformer for protection.

Sizing Transformer Troubleshooting

• Transformers should be selected so they will operate all 24-volt loads without • Transformers can be easily diagnosed by two methods.
overheating. • An ohmmeter can be used to check the continuity of the windings of a transformer
• Transformers used only on furnaces will generally be rated 20 VA or less because for an open, shorted, or good condition.
of the light low-voltage loads. • However, it is difficult to diagnose a transformer with a spot burnout unless the
• Air-conditioning systems usually require a transformer rated at 40 VA or larger, second method of diagnosis is followed.
depending on the low-voltage loads.
• When replacing transformers in the field, use the following guidelines:
1. For replacement, select a transformer the same size or larger than
the one being replaced.
2. For new applications, follow the manufacturer’s recommendation.
 4/13/2019

Troubleshooting • In the heating, cooling, and refrigeration industry, many of the motors used are
• A voltmeter can be used to check the secondary voltage of a transformer with the protected by internal overloads in the motor or by some external means, such as an
correct line voltage applied to the primary. overload relay, magnetic overload, or thermal elements.
• When checking with a voltmeter, a load should be applied to the transformer. • A contactor is a device that opens and closes automatically and allows voltage to
flow to the equipment.
• In some cases when a load is applied, the transformer secondary drops below an
acceptable level, but this condition is rare. • Most air-conditioning equipment uses a contactor with a separate means of
overload protection.
• When replacing a faulty transformer, the low-voltage control should be checked,
because a short in the circuit will cause the transformer to burn out again. • In many cases, especially with three-phase equipment, manufacturers use a
magnetic starter, which incorporates a means of overload protection along with the
• This is a common occurrence when a contactor coil or relay coil shorts out.
ability to stop and start current flow to the equipment.

• A magnetic starter is an electromagnetically • The coil is the heart of the

operated switch which provides a safe system.
method for starting an electric motor with a • All functions of the total control,
large load. and stopping and starting the
• Magnetic starters also provide under-voltage equipment, are accomplished
and overload protection and an automatic by the coil being energized or
cutoff in the event of a power failure. de-energized.
• A magnetic starter is composed of four • The contacts open and close,
sets of contacts, a magnetic coil to close the depending on the action of the
contacts when the coil is energized, and a coil.
set of overloads.
 4/13/2019

• The magnetic starter • Due to the electromagnet in the contactor, if

also has a means of power to the machine should fail the contactor
overload protection, will automatically disengage.
which de-energizes the • Unlike machines with an ordinary latching
coil in the event that an switch (such as a common light switch), when
overload occurs. the power is resumed the machine will not
• Figure shows a simple operate until being turned on again.
wiring diagram of a • As a result, magnetic starters often
starter controlled by a use momentary switches for "off" and "on"
thermostat. functions, as this type of switch returns to a
defined normal position when released.

Operation Types & Operation

• Typically starters are operated by two push switches, a "start" switch which is • The overloads used in a magnetic starter are of three general
normally-off (i.e. push-to-make) and a "stop" switch which is normally-on (i.e. classes: bimetal relay, thermal relay, and molten-alloy relay.
push-to-break). • The bimetal relay is composed of two metals welded together
• When the motor is not running, although line voltage is available, no current is with different expansion qualities.
drawn by the starter or motor. • One end is fastened securely, and the opposite end can move.
• When the "start" button is pressed, the motor is not powered directly, rather the • When this element is heated above a certain temperature due to
electromagnet in the contactor is energized. the current flow to the equipment, it will warp and thus break the
• The magnetic switch in the contactor then engages, simultaneously switching circuit, causing the starter to open.
current to the motor and providing self-sustaining current to maintain its own
• The thermal relay operates on the heat going through a wire to
state. determine the current flow.
• Thus when the start button is released, the magnetic switch remains engaged
• If the heat is great enough to indicate an overload, the contacts
and the motor remains running.
of the relay shown in Figure will open.
• Pressing the "stop" button breaks the circuit to the contactor which
consequently de-energizes its electromagnet thus cutting current to the motor.
 4/13/2019

Types & Operation Troubleshooting

• The molten-alloy overload element, shown in Figure, is nothing more than a link of • Magnetic starters are used on most three-phase equipment because they contain
material that is a good electrical conductor. overloads and can effectively control the operation of loads in a heating, cooling, or
refrigeration system.
• A ratchet wheel is soldered to the conductor with a special alloy.
• Some common faults of magnetic starters occur in the contacts, solenoid coil
• When the current flow produces a higher-than-normal temperature, the solder
heaters or overloads, and the mechanical linkage.
melts, allowing the ratchet wheel to open the contacts.
• No matter what part of the magnetic starter is faulty, it must be treated as
• No matter what type of overload relay a unit at the beginning of the diagnosis.
is used, it should be sized correctly to
• The service technician must first be certain that the magnetic starter is at fault.
work properly.
• If the magnetic starter is at fault, it must be replaced, or the faulty section must be
• Manufacturers of magnetic starters
repaired.
distribute much information on how to
size starters and overloads (sometimes • The contacts of a starter can be checked by visual inspection or by checking the
referred to as heaters). voltage drop across each set of contacts.

Troubleshooting • Push-button stations or switches are

• If the contacts are badly pitted, or if there is a voltage drop across the contacts, then switches that are controlled manually
they must be replaced. by the pressing of a button.
• The coil of a contactor can easily be faulty; it can be shorted, open, or grounded. • They can have two switches (for stop
and start) or many switches (for such
• The linkage that connects the movable contacts to the solenoid plunger can be
functions as on, off, start, stop, jog,
worn or broken and will not close the contacts even if the coil is energized.
reverse, and forward).
• The overloads are difficult to troubleshoot because of the different types.
• They are designed in many forms and
• Overloads are designed to open a control circuit when an overload exists. with many different functions.
• The overload circuit of a magnetic starter is connected within the control enclosure. • There are relatively few instances in the
heating, cooling, and refrigeration
industry where push-button stations are
used.
• They are used mainly for motor control,
circuit control, and magnetic starters.
 4/13/2019

• The temperature in any structure, regardless of its age, location, or design, can be
maintained at comfortable levels with a thermostat.
• Thermostats are designed and built in many different forms and sizes to meet the
applications required in the industry.
• Thermostats play an important part in the total operation of most systems in the
industry.

• Push-button stations are easy to troubleshoot. The service technician must know, or
be able to find out, the normal position of the switch.
• In some cases, push-button switches may be quite complex, but this will not
occur very often. An ohmmeter can be used to diagnose the condition of the
switch.

Application Application
• The basic function of a thermostat is to respond to a temperature change by • An air-conditioning or heating thermostat would basically control the temperature
opening or closing a set of electric contacts. of a given area for human comfort.
• Many different types of thermostats are used in the industry to perform a variety • Refrigeration thermostats are designed to maintain a specific temperature within a
of switching actions. refrigerated space, such as in a domestic refrigerator, walk-in cooler, display case,
and commercial freezer.
• There are many types of special application thermostats used in the industry, such
as outdoor thermostats and safety thermostats.
• Whatever use a thermostat is put to, it serves the same function: reacting to
temperature with the opening and closing of a switch.
 4/13/2019

Application Application
• A heating thermostat closes on a decrease in temperature and opens on an • The thermostat is merely a switching device that routes the voltage to the
increase in temperature. correct control for the operation prescribed by the thermostat setting.
• A cooling thermostat closes on an increase in temperature and opens on a
decrease in temperature.
• This is a very important factor to consider when ordering or installing thermostats.
• The heating and cooling thermostats are usually built so that the switch reacts
either for heating or for cooling, with no intermediate position; in other words, a
single-pole–double-throw switch.
• Some thermostats must isolate the heating and cooling contacts and therefore
must use a separate set of contacts for heating and for cooling.
• Modern thermostats have a system switch that will determine whether the unit is
heating or cooling.

Controlling Elements and Types Remote Bulb Thermostat

• Two types of thermostat controlling elements are commonly used. The The power element, which is the bulb, and the diaphragm
controlling element of a thermostat is the part that moves when a change in are connected with a section of small tubing.
temperature is sensed. The bulb is filled with liquid and gas and is then sealed.
• The bimetal thermostat is commonly used to control the temperature of air in The pressure exerted by the diaphragm on the mechanical
an air-conditioning or heating application. linkage will open and close a set of contacts.
• The remote bulb thermostat is commonly used to control the temperature of As the bulb temperature changes, so will the pressure
any medium, whether liquid or vapor, in many applications. exerted on the diaphragm.
If the temperature of the bulb increases, so will the
pressure.
If the temperature of the bulb decreases, so will the
pressure.
The increase or decrease in pressure causes the contacts to
open or close, depending on the design of the thermostat.
 4/13/2019

Bi-metal Thermostat Bi-metal Thermostat

• The heart of most other types of thermostats is a • If the temperature of these two metals is
bimetal element. increased, one will become longer than the other
• The element gets its name from the fact that it because of the different expansion qualities.
uses a bimetal to cause the movement that opens • This causes the bimetal to arch.
and closes a set of contacts. • If the metal is anchored at one end, leaving the
• A bimetal is a combination of two pieces of metal, other end to move freely, it will move up and
that are a given length at a certain temperature. down according to the temperature surrounding
• The metals are welded together. it.
• Each metal has a different coefficient of • In a low-voltage thermostat, the bimetal works
expansion. better and gives better control if it is large.

Bi-metal Thermostat Bi-metal Thermostat

• The first type of bimetal thermostat that was produced. • A thermostat must have a means of making a good
• It was unsatisfactory because of the unstable pressure from the bimetal that connection with the contacts. This is accomplished by
held the contacts together. a snap action of the thermostat bimetal to the fixed
• It would react (close or open) to a relatively small change in the temperature contacts.
around the room thermostat. • If a permanent magnet is placed near the bimetal arm,
it will cause a snap action when the bimetal expands
enough to move the contacts close together.
 4/13/2019

Bi-metal Thermostat Bi-metal Thermostat

• Two methods in common use enable • The mercury bulb thermostat also provides
thermostats to be snap acting: a permanent snap action because of the globule of
magnet and a mercury bulb. mercury moving between two probes sealed
• A permanent magnet mounted near the inside a glass tube.
fixed contacts will cause the action of the
bimetal to be snap acting.
• The bimetal will make good contact once it
is in the magnetic field of the permanent
magnet.

Line- Voltage Thermostat Line- Voltage Thermostat

• The line-voltage thermostat is designed to operate on line voltage, for example, Figure shows the wiring diagram of
120 volts or 240 volts. a common 240-volt window air
• The line-voltage thermostat is used on many packaged air-conditioning units conditioner with a line-voltage
and refrigeration equipment of commercial design. thermostat.
• This type of thermostat is used to open or
close the voltage supply to a load in the
system.
 4/13/2019

Line- Voltage Thermostat Low - Voltage Thermostat

Figure shows a line-voltage thermostat used • The low-voltage thermostat is used on control systems with a 24-volt supply.
to control an electric baseboard heater. • The low-voltage thermostat is used on all residential heating and air-
The line-voltage thermostat lacks many conditioning systems and many commercial and industrial systems.
good qualities that are obtained with low- • The low-voltage thermostat can be used for heating operation, cooling
voltage thermostats. operation, automatic operation of fans, manual operation of fans, and automatic
For example, depending on the application, changeover from heating to cooling.
the line-voltage thermostat functions only to • The difference between a line voltage and a low-voltage thermostat is in the
open or close a set of contacts. size of the bimetal element.
Line-voltage thermostats are commonly • With the larger line voltage contacts, more pressure is needed to close the
used in the industry. contacts, and, therefore, larger bimetal elements are required.

Low - Voltage Thermostat Low - Voltage Thermostat

• Figure shows a wiring schematic of a • The low-voltage thermostat is more
residential heating and cooling system with accurate, less expensive, and requires
low-voltage thermostat. smaller wiring than its counterpart, the
line-voltage thermostat.
• Figure shows a low-voltage thermostat
used to control the temperature in a
residence.
 4/13/2019

Low - Voltage Thermostat Low - Voltage Thermostat

• Figure shows a digital low-voltage thermostat used in a residence. • Digital thermostats have many
advantages over the old
mechanical bimetal thermostats.
• The primary advantage for the
home owner is that the readout
on the thermostat is digital and
much more accurate than the
old bimetal thermometers that
were placed on the cover.
• This is also the temperature that
is the controlling element of the
digital thermostat.

Anticipator Heating Anticipator

• The success of any thermostat depends on the system being correctly sized, the • A thermostat that has no means of heat anticipation will allow a wide swing from
air flow being balanced, and the thermostat being correctly placed. the desired temperature, especially on forced–warm-air systems.
• It is almost impossible for thermostats to maintain the exact temperature of any • If the thermostat is set on 75°F, the furnace will come on for heating.
given area without spending an unreasonable amount for controls. • But there is a delay before any warm air is carried to the conditioned space
• A heat anticipator is an electrical resistor device mounted in the center of many because a warm air heating system must heat the furnace first.
mechanical thermostats. It fine tunes the point at which the thermostat turns off • This delay will allow the air temperature to drop to 74°F or lower before the blower
the furnace burners. begins operation, and heat is carried to the conditioned space.
• Thus, anticipators are used to give a more evenly controlled temperature range. • The temperature difference between the closing of the thermostat and the time
There are two types of anticipators: heating and cooling. when warm air begins to reach the thermostat is called system lag.
• As long as the furnace remains on, the temperature will continue to rise. If the
thermostat differential is 2 °F, the thermostat will open at 77°F and stop the burner.
• However, the furnace is still warm and the blower must be operated until the
furnace cools, which will carry the temperature up to 78°F or higher.
 4/13/2019

Heating Anticipator Heating Anticipator

• The temperature difference between the opening of the thermostat and the
time when the warm air is no longer being delivered to the room is called
overshoot.
• The overshoot and system lag can produce an additional temperature swing of
as much as 5°F. The wide difference in temperature can be controlled by using
a heating anticipator in the thermostat.
• The heating anticipator is nothing more than a small source of heat close to the
bimetal element.
• This allows the bimetal to be a little warmer than the surrounding air.
• The heating anticipator is placed in series with the contacts of the thermostat.
• When the contacts close and energize the burner, the current must also flow
through the heating anticipator, which causes it to heat the bimetal to a certain Figure: Effect of system lag and overshoot on room temperature, if
temperature. there is no thermostat setting if and there is no thermostat
anticipator.

Heating Anticipator Heating Anticipator

Figure: Reduced temperature swing when thermostat anticipator is used

and set properly.
 4/13/2019

Heating Anticipator Cooling Anticipator

• Two types of heating anticipators are used: fixed • The cooling anticipator operates
and adjustable. somewhat differently from the
• The fixed heating anticipator is nonadjustable and is heating anticipator.
not very versatile. • This type of anticipator is also
• The adjustable heating anticipator can be matched known as an off-cycle anticipator.
to almost any control system.
• The adjustable heating anticipator should be set on
the current draw of the primary control of the gas
valve.
• For example, if a gas valve had a current draw of 0.2
amp, then the heating anticipator should be set on
0.2 amp.

Cooling Anticipator Cooling Anticipator

• The cooling anticipator adds heat to • The anticipator drops the voltage to a
the bimetal on the “off” cycle of the point that will not energize the
equipment because of its parallel contactor because of the series
connection in the circuit. connection.
• When the thermostat contacts close, • The current flow through the
the current takes the flow of least anticipator heats the bimetal and
resistance, which is through the causes the thermostat to anticipate the
contacts rather than the cooling temperature rise.
anticipator. • The cooling anticipator is not as
• On the “off” cycle the current passes important as the heating anticipator
through the anticipator and the because cooling equipment operation
contactor coil. is almost instant, whereas there is a
delay in the heat delivery of a forced–
warm-air system.
 4/13/2019

Installation Installation
• Choose a location that will be most suitable for • When installing thermostats in applications where some
maintaining the correct temperature in the desired area. medium such as water is being controlled, mount or
• Thermostats installed in applications that require control insert the thermostat bulb or controlling element in the
of the temperature of some enclosed area, such as a system so that the correct temperature is being sensed
refrigerator, walk-in cooler, or walkin freezer, or some by the thermostat.
medium, such as water in a chilled water system, should • When replacing a thermostat on a system, make certain
be installed where the correct temperature can be that the thermostat is the correct type and that it is
sensed by the thermostat without interference from some installed in the same way as the one being replaced.
other source of heat or cold. • The thermostat should not be installed where there is a
• Thermostat installations in commercial refrigeration possibility of interference by some other installation.
applications should be where the thermostat can sense
the temperature that reflects the average temperature of
the box or case.

Installation Troubleshooting
• The thermostat in an air-conditioning application should • When troubleshooting thermostats, the technician will be involved in three basic
be located in the conditioned space on a solid inside wall areas: calibration, diagnosis, and maintenance.
where there is normal air circulation and where it will not • A common complaint is that the thermostat does not turn the equipment on and off
be subject to any artificial heat or cold from at the proper temperature or that the temperature does not agree with the
lamps, televisions, appliances, or hot water pipes. thermometer on the thermostat.
• The thermostat should be installed about 5 feet above the • Calibration is a means of resetting the thermostat so that the temperature more
floor. accurately reflects the temperature of the structure.
• Common complaints about thermostats are:
• excessive temperature swing,
• short cycling,
• the “on” cycle running too long, or
• the thermostat working incorrectly in regard to heating and cooling or not
working at all.
 4/13/2019

Troubleshooting • A pressure switch is a device that opens or closes a set of contacts when a
• In many cases that involve temperature swing and cycling time, correctly setting certain pressure is applied to the diaphragm of the switch.
the heat anticipator, if the thermostat has one, will correct the problem. • A high pressure switch is connected to the discharge side of the system to sense
• Most line-voltage thermostats do not have heat anticipators. discharge pressure.
• A low-pressure switch is connected to the suction side of the system to sense
suction pressure.
• Pressure switches can be used as safety devices, as main operating controls, or
to operate other parts of the system.

• Two types of pressure switches are used in the industry today. Notation and Terms
• A non-adjustable pressure switch is used by many manufacturers to prevent the • The differential of a pressure switch is the difference between the cut-in and cut-
pressure setting from hanging. out pressure of the switch.
• An adjustable pressure switch can be adjusted to meet any specific need that • The cut-in is the pressure of the system when the pressure switch closes.
might arise. • The cut-out is the pressure of the system when the pressure switch opens.
• Adjustable pressure switches are usually obtained for field replacement of a • The range of a control is the operating range of the system—for example, the
pressure switch. overall pressure—over which the switch can operate.
• These terms are used frequently when setting pressure to obtain the correct
operation of the system.
 4/13/2019

• Pressure switches can also be classified as high pressure or low pressure. These • A dual-pressure switch contains both a
switches open or close on a rise or fall of pressure. high-pressure and a low-pressure switch.
• Pressure switches are manufactured with a case enclosing the switch and for
mounting in a control panel without the case.

• Figure shows a compact pressure switch that is presently being used in the High Pressure Switches
industry. • A high-pressure switch is usually used as a safety device to protect the compressor
• Pressure switches can be obtained for most any purpose that would arise in the and system from excessively high discharge pressure.
industry. • A high-pressure switch used as a safety control must open on a rise in pressure to
shut the equipment down.
• The high-pressure setting of the switch must correspond to the type of refrigerant in
the system.

• The setting of a high-pressure switch used with Freon

134A would be different from the setting of a high-
pressure switch used with Freon 22.
• High-pressure switches may also close on a rise in
pressure to operate a device that would control the
high side pressure.
 4/13/2019

Low Pressure Switches Low Pressure Switches

• Low-pressure switches are used as safety devices, as operating controls, and as • If the low-pressure
devices to operate any component by the suction pressure of the system. switch opens, it should
• All low-pressure switches are connected to the suction side of a refrigeration break the control circuit
system. Low suction pressure can damage the compressor. that operates the
compressor.
• Therefore, low-pressure switches are often used as
safety devices to prevent damage to the system when • Low-pressure switches
the suction pressure drops below a predetermined can also be used as
operating controls to
point.
operate the system by a
pressure setting that
corresponds to a
temperature setting.

Troubleshooting Troubleshooting
• The contacts of pressure switches often cause problems because of pitting, wear, • The pressure connections of a pressure switch can leak and cause a faulty control
mechanical linkage faults, and sticking. or no control at all.
• The contacts should be checked to see if they are closed or open in relation to the • To check for a leak, use an acceptable method for locating refrigerant leaks. Never
setting of the control. replace a pressure switch before its correct position and purpose have been
• If the contacts show continuity, the resistance should also be checked. determined.
• If the resistance is above allowable limits, or if the contacts prove to be faulty, the
pressure switch should be replaced.
• If any resistance is read through a set of contacts, voltage is being lost.
• A reading of 2 or 3 ohms of resistance in a set of switches indicates that the switch
should be replaced or at least that the voltage should be checked across the
contacts.
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