I think what I am saying that it is difficult to follow wiring and such without
a diagram. If one has a volt meter he can check to see if the coil is getting
voltage, check to see if the power is feeding through the contacts of each
contactor, relay, sequencer, whichever it is called. Continuity can also be
checked on each heating element. I don't think a element is the problem on
this since there usually multiple one of these. Being trained on furnaces also
gives one the knowledge of what order things are supposed to happen. Called
sequence of operation. Knowledge is power. The more you know the easier it
is. Being able to use a voltmeter and ohmmeter is just about a must unless one
is lucky and sees a wire that has fallen off. And yes that is a highly likely
problem. I will stop here before I confuse things too much.
Ron
----- Original Message -----
From: Kevin Doucet
To: [email protected]
Sent: Friday, December 25, 2009 5:53 PM
Subject: Re: [BlindHandyMan] help friend's electric heat out
Am I right to think this of which you speak would
be for a person versed in the workings of a furnace and not for the lay
person?
At 03:36 PM 12/25/2009, you wrote:
>
>
>If this just a electric furnace then one of the
>many relays, sometimes called sequencer in a
>electric furnace has the magnetic coil or a
>contact not making. There should be some where
>on the inner door of the unit a schematic or
>wiring diagram. There are a number of these as
>there a number of elements. There is likely
>circuit breakers in the furnace also. Abad
>element would likely trip only one of these. The
>sequencing relays bring the elements on in order
>rather than all at once which would cause
>massive current surges. Doing it in stages
>brings them on in steps that minimizes surges.
>So a failure in the early stages stops the entire process.
>Now if you have a heat pump with electric
>furnace backup it becomes more involved with a
>two stage thermostat. The heat pump should come
>on with a minor temperature drop. When it drops
>more the electric furnace should come on. A
>thermostat failure could cause a problem. All
>depends on many things. Really to follow a
>diagram for the untrained to get anywhere.
>Ron
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Kevin Doucet
>To: <mailto:blindhandyman%40yahoogroups.com>[email protected]
>Sent: Friday, December 25, 2009 9:40 AM
>Subject: [BlindHandyMan] help friend's electrick heat out
>
>Hi,
>
>A friend's electrick fernice has stopped working. The unit clicks and
>starts blowing air when the target temp is raised above the current
>indoor temp, but, it never gets hot or changes the indoor temp.
>
>We have reset all breakers but to no joy.
>
>Any ideas as what to try.
>
>Thanks for any help!
>
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>
>
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