AC|FAN MOTORS|BLOWER MOTORS|air conditioning and heat by tom durbin|dallas|dfw

Tom Durbin AC and Mechanical

972-203-1317

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AC FAN MOTORS

Click Image to Enlarge

Device is the small
Thermally protected
part at the end of the
two red wires.

Just a little bit about condenser fan motor's . This is the motor that is
located in the outside unit at your home or business. Fan motor with
attached blade is what transferrers the heat of the condensing unit to the
outside air. The reason I want to write a page about this particular control,
is that it has a lot to do with compressor failure. Residences condenser fan
motor's are assisted by a run capacitor. They also have a device that most
homeowners are not aware of. This is called an internal thermal overload
protector. This is a small device wired into the motor wiring that protects
the motor from burning up. This is a small thermostatic type electricity
switch that allows the motor to cool down,then resets and restarts the fan.

The importance of this device, is that it keeps the motor from
self-destructing or catching a fire. The last thing you would want is a fire
within a few feet of your house. So it is a needed device. The problem with
this device is that when it operates properly it controls the fan blade and
motor. If the motor fails the compressor will continue to run but it will
exceed its pressure limitations. Forcing the compressor to start
malfunctioning and overworking its safety controls. In the compressor.
This will weaken the internal controls,and replacement of the fan motor
may result in a waste of money. There are two safety controls. An
internal overload pressure relief valve, and an internal electric overload
just as the fan motor has. In addition some units generally of the upper
quality have additional controls called high and low pressure freon
switches. All these controls have to work together to keep the compressor
from a failure.

I have placed some pictures at the top of this page there again so that you
can see and learn what we're trying to teach you. I think the more that we
teach our customers how an air conditioner runs and functions the better
they will be prepared to understand when a unit is having a problem. The
key symptom for this control malfunctioning is that the fan blade and motor
on your outdoor unit will stop turning. If you walk outside you will be able
to hear the compressor continuing to run the making several different
sounds than you've never heard before. This would be your first clue to
turn the unit off. It will also not be cooling normally inside. At this point it's
time to call someone for help.