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03-18-2010, 04:17 PM #1
See photo...FLOAT SWTICH QUESTION FOR THE HVAC EXPERTS
I have seen some older float switches that immediately shut down the unit when tested by lifting the float. Today I saw paired two AC units with the same brand of "Electrical disconnect" (Do not want to call it a "Float switch" since it may not be designed to "Float" but rather to "detect" water.
Anyway, these switches had a movable shaft that I lifted and held up for a minute. Neither AC unit was interrupted and contined to operate.
See photo. Does anyone know if these devices are "water detectors" or float switches"?? Went to the website and the specs did not really say how it worked. Should they shut off when I left the small sliding shaft?
By the way, these were brand new units in a brand new home.See photo.
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03-18-2010, 05:00 PM #2
Re: See photo...FLOAT SWITCH QUESTION FOR THE HVAC EXPERTS
They may have shut the outdoor unit (condenser unit) off and not the air handler.
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03-18-2010, 05:22 PM #3
Re: See photo...FLOAT SWTICH QUESTION FOR THE HVAC EXPERTS
Hi Jerry, the condensers stayed on. Full system stayed on.
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03-19-2010, 04:38 AM #4
Re: See photo...FLOAT SWTICH QUESTION FOR THE HVAC EXPERTS
The switch is not wired correctly, or no good. I wire them to break r so it shuts down the whole system and the homeowner knows there is a problem. I use those often and have yet to have a problem with any of them. I like them because the float height is adjustable to the pan depth.
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03-19-2010, 05:02 AM #5
Re: See photo...FLOAT SWTICH QUESTION FOR THE HVAC EXPERTS
Agreed, probably not wired right, but isn't any real water in the pan a sign of a problem ? Why not a wet switch ?
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03-19-2010, 05:07 AM #6
Re: See photo...FLOAT SWTICH QUESTION FOR THE HVAC EXPERTS
A sign of a problem is when there is water in the overflow/emergency pan!
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03-19-2010, 05:12 AM #7
Re: See photo...FLOAT SWTICH QUESTION FOR THE HVAC EXPERTS
I prefer float switches to sensors especially in attic installs.
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03-19-2010, 05:44 AM #8
Re: See photo...FLOAT SWTICH QUESTION FOR THE HVAC EXPERTS
Is there any problem with testing floats like this by hand? Does the AC equipment care if you shut it down and then back on again quickly, or repeatedly?
"There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception." -James Thurber, writer and cartoonist (1894-1961)
www.ArnoldHomeInspections.com
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03-19-2010, 06:51 AM #9
Re: See photo...FLOAT SWTICH QUESTION FOR THE HVAC EXPERTS
Only when the AC is on. It puts a strain on the compressor and the compressor won't kick on until it has been off long enough so that it won't overload the breaker.
Don't know about the heat strip on an electric heater though...
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03-19-2010, 09:17 AM #10
Re: See photo...FLOAT SWTICH QUESTION FOR THE HVAC EXPERTS
"There is no exception to the rule that every rule has an exception." -James Thurber, writer and cartoonist (1894-1961)
www.ArnoldHomeInspections.com
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03-19-2010, 10:25 AM #11
Re: See photo...FLOAT SWTICH QUESTION FOR THE HVAC EXPERTS
You could test it with the heat on!
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03-19-2010, 02:01 PM #12
Re: See photo...FLOAT SWTICH QUESTION FOR THE HVAC EXPERTS
You can't test it with the heat on unless it's a heat pump. The unit can be legitimately wired to disable only the compressor. If the unit utilizes heat strips it won't effect functionality.
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03-19-2010, 02:17 PM #13
Re: See photo...FLOAT SWTICH QUESTION FOR THE HVAC EXPERTS
When wired to break R you can test it in any mode. I use these in 95% direct vent horizontal furnace installs also.
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03-19-2010, 02:35 PM #14
Re: See photo...FLOAT SWTICH QUESTION FOR THE HVAC EXPERTS
But not everybody wires them to break R, most I know interrupt the condenser and break Y. If the condenser continues to run with the switch activated there is a problem.
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03-19-2010, 02:54 PM #15
Re: See photo...FLOAT SWTICH QUESTION FOR THE HVAC EXPERTS
The manufacturer of that secondary float switch specifies that the unit is be connected to R. I know some will wire it another way, but hey, that's what it says...
http://www.aquaguardusa.com/index.ph...id=140&lang=en
Dom.
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03-20-2010, 05:50 PM #16
Re: See photo...FLOAT SWTICH QUESTION FOR THE HVAC EXPERTS
Just as a sidebar, the condensate does not seem to be trapped before the tee connecting the pan drain. I can't tell from the picture whethter that is the primary or secondary drain but it should not be piped directly together without a trap.
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03-20-2010, 06:20 PM #17
Re: See photo...FLOAT SWITCH QUESTION FOR THE HVAC EXPERTS
What I think you are looking at, at least what I think I am seeing, is:
a) primary condensate on left which goes to a tee (with a clean out up? hopefully it is not a vent up) then down to ??? (a trap would be correct)
b) secondary condensate on the right which goes to down to a trap (hopefully, I see something behind the foam insulation)
c) drain from auxiliary drain pan
d) moisture detector switch of a float switch style
Hot Dang! That install at ALL the goodies!
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03-20-2010, 08:14 PM #18
Re: See photo...FLOAT SWTICH QUESTION FOR THE HVAC EXPERTS
Yep, and it is hard to tell from the picture but it looks like they have the primary drain vent pipe ahead of the trap which will waste air into the attic along with the secondary that is tied into the drain pan line. In short, there is a bunch of air leaking into the attic and it needs to be fixed with properly positioned traps and drain line vents.
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03-21-2010, 11:05 AM #19
Re: See photo...FLOAT SWITCH QUESTION FOR THE HVAC EXPERTS
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