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what does a furnace fan relay do

by Cale Dickens Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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The electric relay in a furnace is responsible for relaying electrical power to the heating elements and the blower motor inside the furnace cabinet. The heating elements provide the heat to warm the air, and the blower motor sends this warmed air through the ductwork.Nov 18, 2013

Full Answer

What does a Furnace Fan relay do?

What does a furnace fan relay do? The electric relay in a furnace isresponsible for relaying electrical power to the heatingelementsand the blower motor inside the furnace cabinet. Theheating elements provide the heat to warm the air, andthe blower motor sends this warmed air throughtheductwork.

What does a relay switch do in a furnace?

What does a relay switch do in a furnace? The electric relay in a furnace is responsible for relaying electrical power to the heating elements and the blower motor inside the furnace cabinet. The heating elements provide the heat to warm the air, and the blower motor sends this warmed air through the ductwork. Click to see full answer.

Why is my Furnace Fan not working?

What to Do When a Furnace Blower Fan Won't Start

  • Blower Relay. One of the most common problems with furnace fans is a bad blower relay. The first thing to do is check the relay or voltage from the board.
  • Fan Control. This is another common reason behind faulty blower fans. ...
  • Thermostat. Another way to diagnose the problem is by jumping out the thermostat. ...

How to replace the fan limit switch in a furnace?

Where is the Furnace Fan Limit Switch Located?

  • Turn off the furnace. Switch the furnace off at the circuit breaker. Then switch off the power at the furnace too.
  • Remove the access panel. Most panels come off without removing any bolts or screws. ...
  • Locate the fan limit switch. The switch is mounted on the furnace air plenum and is easily recognizable due to the wiring. ...

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How does a furnace fan relay work?

1:459:17How the Blower/Fan Relays on a Furnace Control Board Work!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe voltage from alternating current to direct current you're going to supply direct current to thisMoreThe voltage from alternating current to direct current you're going to supply direct current to this coil. Through the board.

How do you test a furnace fan relay?

0:211:38How To Test HVAC Fan Relay | HD Supply - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSet your meter to the lowest resistance level. And you should read approximately 70 80 ohms ofMoreSet your meter to the lowest resistance level. And you should read approximately 70 80 ohms of resistance. We're showing 79 it's good now between the other side five and six should show closed two.

How does a fan relay work?

When the engine temperature approaches unsafe levels, the vehicle's computer or temperature switch turns on the cooling fan relay. The activated relay completes a circuit, allowing an electric current to flow through it and reach the cooling fans.

What controls the blower motor on the furnace?

A fan limit switch is a component of a furnace system that determines when the furnace blower assembly for hot air turns on and off. Essentially, this means that it determines when the hot air should be blown through your ventilation system. The fan limit switch also has two other functions.

How do you tell if a relay is bad on a furnace?

1:224:18How to test a relay - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOne test lead goes to terminal 1 and the other test lead goes to terminal 2 you should haveMoreOne test lead goes to terminal 1 and the other test lead goes to terminal 2 you should have continuity. Next check terminals 4 to 5 if either of these do not have continuity replaced the relay.

How do you know if a fan relay is stuck?

How Do You Know If Your Relay Is Stuck And Needs To Be Fixed?The air conditioner doesn't turn on when you try to use it.The air conditioner turns off unexpectedly.You hear a clicking noise coming from the air conditioner.Visible damage or debris on the relay.

How do you check a fan relay?

4:309:13How to Test Cooling Fan Relays - Low and High Speed - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you want to test AC relays. If you want to test grab this other one the cooling fan relays thatMoreSo you want to test AC relays. If you want to test grab this other one the cooling fan relays that we have here starter relays relays for actual you can hear it click well them. You hear that.

What causes blower motor relay failure?

In most cases, a blower motor resistor fails due to corrosion or overheating. Sometimes, the mechanical resistance to the motor rotation causes an excessive electric current that can overheat and prematurely damage the blower motor resistor.

How much does it cost to replace a fan relay?

The average cost for radiator fan relay replacement is between $68 and $75. Labor costs are estimated between $27 and $34 while parts are priced at $41. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.

What relay controls the blower motor?

The blower motor relay controls the current used to power the blower motor, and is subject to the constant on and off switching.

Why is my furnace fan not turning on?

If the fan does not start, you have a wiring issue (circuit breaker trips) or motor problem (circuit breaker does not trip). While your thermostat may be at fault, only an HVAC technician can diagnose and remedy the issue correctly.

Do all furnace blower motors have a reset button?

All furnaces are equipped with a reset button. They are generally red or yellow and are located inside the blower compartment. The reset button is a safety feature that will shut down the furnace when a problem is detected, often a hot or overheating furnace, before it trips the circuit breaker.

How do you test a furnace relay with a multimeter?

7:2212:47HVACR Fan Switching Relay, How it Works, Voltage, Terminals ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd presently the relay is not powered. And we are reading 0.1 ohms of resistance. So. Now we'reMoreAnd presently the relay is not powered. And we are reading 0.1 ohms of resistance. So. Now we're going to go ahead and power the relay with 24 volts to the coil at one and three.

How do I test a fan relay with a multimeter?

5:188:08How To Test a Relay (and How Relays Work) - in 8 minutesYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst thing you can do is perform a click test run a couple wires from the battery to the controlMoreFirst thing you can do is perform a click test run a couple wires from the battery to the control circuit pins 85 and 86. And see if the relay clicks.

How do you test a fan relay with a multimeter?

4:379:13How to Test Cooling Fan Relays - Low and High Speed - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo just take the leads turn those three and five and we should hear an audible alert.MoreSo just take the leads turn those three and five and we should hear an audible alert.

How do I know if my blower motor relay is bad?

If you have a faulty blower motor, you may experience low airflow from the vents, even when the fan is on high. There will be no air coming from the vents if your fan isn't working due to a bad blower motor resistor. Blown relay circuit fuses or melted relays are more serious signs of a bad blower motor relay.

How many spade relays are needed for a gas furnace?

Many newer appliances, particularly gas furnaces operate with a one-speed fan motor in heating and cooling mode; this requires a five spade relay.

Do fan relays work?

Fan relays have to work under harsh conditions, consider to the hot environment and the high amp-load at the fan motor start.

How many volts does a furnace fan need to run?

When you want to run your furnaces fan on constant to filter the air, it’s the fan relay that gets switched by the thermostat and powered by the 24 volt transformer to make the blower turn over and run.

Why does my furnace make noise?

A lot of noise issues come from lack of duct work or location of duct work in relationship to the furnace blower. Filters also have a great deal of influence on the proper amount of air flow across heating elements. Funny how these items seem to be the most neglected.

What Would Cause A Furnace To Trip A Breaker?

Their has been some argument about the breakers in a furnace being just a switch, but if that switch has an amp rating on the toggle then it’s a breaker and it can trip.

What does it mean when your thermostat calls for heat?

Just like your hair dryer or toaster. When you’re cooking your morning toast and see those red coils heating up, that’s what you could see deep inside your furnace when your thermostat calls for heat. Elements are nothing more than a coil of wire that when electricity is applied they will produce heat.

How many amps does an electric furnace use?

Breakers in electric furnaces are generally rated at 30 or 60 amps. You could have a few combinations of those breakers. In our area I’ve seen a few 90 amp breakers fed from one circuit. That takes some large wire and expense.

What is the number one force for a happy furnace and duct work system?

Number one force for a happy furnace and duct work system is air flow. Not too much not too little. To big of furnace or blower causes noise and inefficient heating and cooling. To small a blower is the leading problem in iced up air conditioner evaporator coil and burned out furnace elements.

How many 60 amp breakers are needed for a furnace?

If your furnace has two 60 amp breakers then your panel should have two 60 amp breakers. Those breakers, according to code, should be plainly labeled “furnace” so that anybody could identify them. Your main service panel will have two types of breakers.

What is the Cooling Fan Relay?

A cooling fan relay controls when the electric radiator cooling fan turns on and off. It does so based on the temperature information it receives from either your car’s electronic control module or a thermostatically controlled sensor.

How to Wire an Electric Fan with A Relay?

The type of electric fan cooling system you use depends on the amount of cooling you require. As such, you can opt either for single or dual cooling fans. Additionally, the installation procedure may vary depending on the electric fan relay kit you have.

Where Do the Four Wires Of an Electric Fan Relay Go?

Use our fan wiring diagram and guide to make sure you correctly wire your fans to your relay. Before that, let’s have a clear picture of where the four wires of an electric fan relay go.

How does a thermostatically controlled sensor work?

For example, if the thermostatically controlled sensor measures an abnormal engine temperature, it signals the cooling fan relay to send a 12-Volt electric charge to power the fan. Consequently, your radiator receives a constant gust of cool air bringing its temperature down. Once the temperature drops below the threshold, your car’s electronic control module sends a new signal to the cooling fan relay instructing it to switch off the charge.

Why do radiator fans need maintenance?

Dust, moisture, and debris can cause damage to your radiator fan and prevent it from functioning at its best. Therefore, conduct periodic maintenance checks to ensure that it is always in tip-top shape.

Why does my fan keep running even after turning off the ignition?

Your electric fan continues to run even after you turn off the ignition. Here, you may have a blockage within your fan relay system, causing the switch not to toggle between on and off .

Do electric cooling fans run after engine shut off?

However, you will find cars whose electric cooling fans continue running after the engine is shut off.

Where is the fan relay located?

However, it is typically located somewhere under the hood next to the fuse or relay box. Depending on your vehicle, you might find this box at the driver's side or the passenger's side close to the fender.

How to replace a bad cooling fan relay?

As we indicated earlier, the highest cost of replacing a bad cooling fan relay is labor . Therefore, many drivers like to learn about how to replace their vehicle's cooling fan relay.

What are the common symptoms of a bad cooling fan relay?

Although the cooling fan relay is a minor component in your cooling system, it can easily lead to significant damages to your engine when you don't take care of it as it gets bad . The good news is that your vehicle is smart enough to let you know that the cooling fan relay is getting worse before it even does.

How much does it cost to replace a cooling fan relay?

You can easily replace this relay and pay between $80 and $160.00 depending on your vehicle's brand and the location where you get the job done.

Why won't my cooling fan start?

Unsurprisingly, the cooling fan relay is the primary component that triggers the cooling fan, and when the relay is not in good condition or doesn't work , it is simply that the cooling fan won't start. Therefore, if you don't start when the engine temperature is getting high, and you don't hear any noise indicating that the fan started, it could be a problem with the cooling fan relay.

How to tell if a cooling fan relay is bad?

Think about the cooling fan relay as the primary monitor that controls the behavior of the cooling fan. If the monitor doesn't work, there's nothing to stop it when the fan starts working as the engine temperature drops to the required threshold.

How long does a cooling fan last?

Some customers indicated that sometimes the cooling fan or lake could last up to 30 years if it's been taken care of. However, in other instances, the cooling fan relay can get damaged in no time. Therefore, we recommend you keep an eye for the symptoms we discussed in the previous sections and reach out to your mechanic to replace the cooling fan relay when needed.

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1.How the Blower/Fan Relays on a Furnace Control Board …

Url:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbKAGD3DYq8

22 hours ago Gas Furnaces and Air Handlers use a fan relay to switch the blower motor ON and OFF. The fan circulates the warm or cold air inside the home. Most furnaces and air handlers using a two-speed motor, a high speed for cooling and a lower speed for heating.

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Url:http://applianceandair.com/furnace/Fan%20Blower%20Relay.html

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33 hours ago What does a fan relay do on a furnace? Gas Furnaces and Air Handlers use a fan relay to switch the blower motor ON and OFF. The fan circulates the warm or cold air inside the home. Most …

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24 hours ago This relay is normally used for one-speed fan motors In gas heaters and heat pump systems. MORE, Heavy Duty Six-pole Fan blower relay. This is the correct replacement, if your air-handler …

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