Air Conditioner / Electrical Question HVAC

StrokedWJ

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Location
Fletcher, NC
We've been having some issues with our '07 Goodman Heat Pump/AC unit. Had a guy out to the house to recharge it with freon on Friday 6/6/14. I was outside tonight when the unit kicked on and saw some sparks fly from where the electrical supply goes into the unit. I pulled the service disconnect out and popped off the inspection cover to find this.

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This wire is obviously seeing a lot of heat...but why? Friday's AC guy tested the capacitor, but as far as I know didn't touch or even look at these wires. Can anyone ID what that part is called? I think its a relay of some kind. Its where the power wires come into the unit.
 
It's a contactor/relay and looks like what happened is it rubbed against the box and is (barely) shorting when the AC kicks on. Before long it will either A melt the wire in half or B trip a breaker. That is an easy fix though.
 
looks like 12 gauge wire that has a split in the insulation right near the bottom of the metal there. Most people run thhn stranded that is solid wire.
 
Thanks for the replies. Does the contactor looked damaged? Or would I be ok to cut back the damaged part of the wire and reconnect? The lug was tight when I put the screwdriver on it. I think it just wore through the insulation and allowed the arcing.

*update* new contactor and new wiring installed. Unit is up and running again.
 
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