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Troubleshooting Air Conditioning Compressor

Motors Like A Pro Search...

Air conditioning compressor motors are very simple to diagnose but can be confusing. If you nd
that an AC compressor is getting the proper voltages, has a good capacitor, and will not run or is
tripping the circuit breaker, it could be that the motor windings are the problem. Recent

There are only 3 motor winding failures:

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Open Winding – This is when one of the wires that make up the motor windings is broken or Crisis
separated.
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Shorted Winding – If the insulation on the windings has failed, sometimes one part of the winding
is making electrical contact with another part of the winding.

Grounded Winding – This is similar to the shorted winding but the wire with the broken insulation Coming Soon –
is making electrical contact with the compressor casing or ground. HVACTraining.TV

Here is how to check the compressor motor if you suspect it has failed;
Nitrogen Purging and
Brazing
Disconnect power

Remove the top of the outdoor condensing unit

Current Relays
Unplug the 3-prong plug on the compressor Commercial…

Set your multimeter to ohms

Measure and record the resistance (ohms) measurement of each winding

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troubleshooting chart!
 

A good motor will read something like this:

Pin 1 to Pin 2 – 3 ohms

Pin 2 to Pin 3 – 6 ohms
Pin 1 to Pin 3 – 9 ohms

The lowest reading should be below 10 ohms (this is the run winding).

The second highest reading should be about 2-4 times higher than the lowest reading (this is
the start winding).

The highest reading should be the sum of the resistance read across the two smaller windings

If any of these readings read in nite or over range on your ohm meter, you have an open winding.
A reading of zero ohms indicates a short in a winding.

If you nd all the ohm measurements are correct:

Set your ohm meter to its highest range

Place on meter lead on the metal case of the condenser (make sure you scrape of any rust or
paint to make sure good contact)

Measure each pin to the ground

Any measurement that does not read in nite indicates a grounded winding

These measurement are often times very di cult to make because there is usually a shroud
around the compressor terminals and you have to stand on your head to get to them. If you can,
nd a scrap AC unit at your shop and grab a compressor plug and strip the 3 wire ends. Then
when you remove the compressor plug you can plug-in your plug with the bare wires and easily
make your resistance measurements.

Note – If you suspect you have an open winding, make sure the compressor isn’t overheated
(touch it). If it is hot to the touch it could be the internal overload has tripped due to overheating.
Use a water hose to cool it down and recheck your measurements. Many good compressors are
replaced due to this mistake.

Click the image below to download your free compressor

troubleshooting chart!

 
 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ron Walker
After retiring from the U.S. Marines and achieving his B.S. degree, Ron
Walker entered the HVAC eld. He has been an HVAC technician, service
manager, and business owner. Working as a service manager, he spent many
years training HVAC technicians to be more technically competent and
really understand their trade. His passion for teaching and helping others resulted in the
creation of HVAC Training Solutions, LLC.

HVAC Training Solutions, LLC, 4475 U.S. 1 South #607, St. Augustine, FL 32086, (904) 671-7144
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