The air conditioner fuse is a consumable item that is easy to replace with a new one. However, before installing a working part, you should find out the reason for the critical increase in current in the circuit. Otherwise, the new air conditioner fuse blows immediately after turning on the device. It is worthwhile to figure out where the protective part is and how to replace it at home.
Fuse designation
A distinctive feature of fuses is that they cannot guarantee complete protection of the radio components of the split system from damage. This is due to the fact that they are inertial elements. Such parts are designed to prevent fires and more serious accidents caused by excessively high currents.
The internal elements are placed in a capsule made of ceramic or glass. It contains a metal wire through which only a current of a certain magnitude can flow. If the current exceeds the permissible value, the wire melts and the electric circuit opens. Thanks e
This protects the wires and the air conditioning board.
A sharp increase in amperage can be caused by a short circuit or other reasons.
Causes of burnout
Often an element fails after replacing the refrigerant in the split system. One of the symptoms is that the split system does not respond to the control panel. When the air conditioner is turned on, it emits a characteristic sound signal - a click. If it is not, then you should check the health of the plug and the integrity of the fuse.
There are several reasons why a fuse blows when the air conditioner is turned on:
- Burnt varistor. It is a protective element of the circuit that changes resistance when changing voltage. The varistor burns during power surges, lightning strikes, overvoltage of 380 V instead of 220 V. An increased voltage can come when the neutral burns out or when it is disconnected. To replace the varistor, you will need a soldering iron and soldering skills.
- Short circuit. May occur in compressor windings, integrated drain pump, or in a fan motor.
- Breakdown of elements of a switching power supply: diodes and diode bridges, power switch, microcircuits.
- Incorrect wiring. With the correct wiring position, measure the compressor current.
The listed reasons for the burning of the protective element during circuit diagnostics are important to consider first.
Location
The air conditioner fuse is located on the power supply board. It is best to navigate the place where the main power wires are installed. Before this, you need to remove the case and find the control board. Near it is a transformer. Here you need to look for the part. The protective element may be located in the indoor and outdoor units.
You can find the fuse according to the scheme located in each block. The part is marked by two empty circles, between which a wavy line is drawn.
Where to buy a security element
You can purchase a protective element on the radio market, at the point of sale of electrical goods or in a hardware store. There are several varieties of protective elements:
- Placed in clamping pads and protected on top with a plastic case that prevents the spread of fragments during operation.
- Sometimes parts are used that have soldered leads - they are more scarce, but are easier to replace with conventional ones - by soldering.
When buying a fuse, consider the rating of the part. The allowable voltage indicator should be the same as the old part.
Bug instead of fuse
You can find the value of the protective element on its base or on the board - at the installation site. Often, repairmen after the second combustion of the fuse install a "bug" - a jumper wire that replaces the safety element.
The bug can be made from one copper core. Even thin options have a trip current of several tens of amperes. At the same time, the standard fuse in the air conditioner is designed for 3-6 A. For this reason, boards of split systems often burn out after installing a bug. For such situations, the following malfunctions are characteristic:
- burning board tracks;
- open transformer windings;
- failure of the remaining winding elements;
- sticking of relay contacts;
- burnout of diode bridges;
- combustion relay.
These malfunctions are quite costly. It is necessary to rewind the transformer, change the relay, buy new radio components, etc. For this reason, when replacing the fuse, you must select the part with the current indicated on the old element or on the board itself.
How to replace a fuse
Inside the burned-out element, you can see an open jumper in the holder. Replacing a failed fuse is quite simple, knowing where the part is.
The procedure for replacing a burnt fuse of a split system is carried out in several stages. First, the old protective elements are removed from the installation. They are checked for serviceability. Having identified a faulty fuse, it is replaced with a new one.
Sequencing:
- Before replacing the protective element, the faulty device is de-energized. To do this, the machine in the switchboard is turned off, which passes electricity to the split system.
- Carefully remove the door on the power supply to find the location of the safety elements.
- After removing the fuse, it is inspected. It is important to determine if it is damaged. If they are not visible externally, the part is checked with a multimeter or voltmeter.
- If all the data indicates that the split system is not working due to a fault in the fuses, it is recommended to remove the faulty elements and determine their characteristics. Replace parts only with components with the same specifications. Depending on the model of the air conditioner, fuses rated for 3.15-45 A can be installed.
- New fuses are mounted with tweezers. After installation, all components of the split system are assembled.
By installing a new fuse, the air conditioner is connected to the mains for a test run. If the split system operates in the scheduled mode, then the part is replaced correctly.
The old element can only be replaced with a part with the same characteristics. This is important because in devices of different models protective components can be installed, designed for different current strengths. When installing a new protective element, it is unacceptable to choose its rating “at random”, according to approximate characteristics.
The fuse is primarily intended to protect the elements of the device from fire. It may not prevent damage to circuit board components. If after installing a new protective element, the split system starts to work with certain complaints, breakdowns of some nodes or welding of the terminals are possible. In this case, it is better to contact the service center.
