Electrical Issue

fc3sbah · 08-04-2012, 01:55 PM

I have just replaced my old fan motor with a new fan motor. I hooked up all the wires and everything was working fine until the breaker pooped. I then reset the breaker and it pooped immediately. I unplugged everything from the coil and one by one tried to see what tripped the breaker. I came to the conclusion that the lead wire to the compressor was what it was pooping the breaker. But why would this happen? Do i need a new capacitor? i didnt get one with the new motor for the fan.

turnermech · 08-04-2012, 02:31 PM

Compressor most likely failed and is shorted to ground. the only other possible is that the spade terminal has burnt off and shorted to ground. check wiring under terminal cover of compressor. If intact and you are tripping the breaker with only the compressor hooked up then its a bad compressor.

fc3sbah · 08-04-2012, 06:11 PM

ok i will check that then and let you know what happens.

scottmcd9999 · 08-05-2012, 08:14 AM

Also: You should ALWAYS replace the capacitor when you install a new fan.

If the compressor wires aren't burnt, then you can confirm the compressor is the trouble by doing this:

1) Remove power from the furnace. Be 100% sure you've done so - check it with a meter.
2) Remove the wires from the compressor terminals. Isolate them so they don't touch ground anywhere.
3) Turn power back on.
4) Turn the system on at the stat

If the breaker does not trip with the compressor out of the circuit, then you've got a bad compressor. Time to call a reputable HVAC company for assistance.

If the breaker does trip, then the compressor is not at fault. You'd need to remove the other components in a similar fashion to determine the short.

techpappy · 08-05-2012, 04:24 PM

scottmcd9999?

I think you forgot to take the word "not" out of your last sentence "confusing a confused mind is confusing" techpappy

scottmcd9999 · 08-06-2012, 06:42 AM

Quote:

I think you forgot to take the word "not" out of your last sentence

You're right ... thanks for letting me know, I've edited it.

fc3sbah · 08-06-2012, 01:11 PM

OK well i got the capacitor tested today and it was good. So i did what you said and disconnect the compressor wires and turned everything on and the fan spun and the breaker stayed on. So my luck its the compressor. As soon as i plug in the compressor and turn it on it pops.

scottmcd9999 · 08-06-2012, 01:13 PM

Quote:

As soon as i plug in the compressor and turn it on it pops

Yep - compressor is bad. This isn't something for a DIYer, so you'll have to find a competent HVAC company to take over from here.

fc3sbah · 08-06-2012, 01:52 PM

Ok well thank you all for your help.