When there’s a problem with heating or cooling that can be attributed to wiring. Most air conditioning units have a switch that the main power goes directly to after entering the casing. It works differently with window and central units. Follow the steps below to learn about air conditioner wiring, first for window units, and then for central units.
Step 1: Remove any casing of the air conditioner to access internal wiring. On a central unit, the thermostat sends 24 volts that switch the power off and on.
Step 2: The remaining two wires (black and white) are split. Looking at the rear of the selector switch, you will see many wires. This is the point where the black wire comes into the selector and is sent to important parts like the compressor and fan motor. In central units, both wires (relay and contactors) are needed. Inside the blower, the transformer takes the voltage down to 24 volts. The red wire goes to the thermostat and power is then sent to the relays, or switches as temperatures vary.
Step 3: The white wire will go to the fan motor and compressor. This wire comes in from the plug to inside the unit. The wire is connected to the connector on the rear of the selector switch, and all of the wires are common to one another.
Tips
- The white wire in window units is always connected to the fan and compressor since a switch is not used. In troubleshooting, all that needs to occur is for the black wire to send power through the switch to the compressor and fan.
Warnings
- If you are wiring an air conditioner yourself, try to find a professional to do the job or at least supervise because electrical work can be dangerous to amateurs.