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1st callback

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B_roche

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
ok I just got a callback a few minutes ago. the job is about 2 hours away, it's an advance auto.

I was there today and found that the main breaker was tripping after about ten minutes of runtime. my probe was set on max hold and read 32.2 amps. the breaker was a 60.

the broker agency dispatched an electrician to replace the breaker.

advance just called saying that the electritian said the breaker is, in fact, not the problem. it is unsure weather or not he tried a new breaker.

the equip is monitered by a power monitering agency. I just called and they said the unit has been running for roughly 7 minutes and kicking off at around 20 amps.

I should mention that I checked the unit for faults to ground immidiatly after the breaker kicking and found none.

unless I can come up with something to look for I'm not going to go.
 
#4 ·
the equip is monitered by a power monitering agency. I just called and they said the unit has been running for roughly 7 minutes and kicking off at around 20 amps.
Click to expand...
Does this monitoring agency have the ability to control or cycle the equipment? If so, maybe their computer system or whatever form of control is short cycling the compressor.

Please post more info, such as make/model # of unit, tonnage, FLA or RLA, rated circuit ampacity of unit (all on nameplate if it's still legible or present), if system has unloading capabilities, etc.
 
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Discussion starter · #5 ·
well it's not going out on any kind of re-start, it's going out during a steady run. my amp probe doesn't pick up any spike in amps before shutdown...granted it's digital but it is a hacr type fuse so I'd expect to see something.

man I wish I had a megger.

it's a single phase so I don't expect any voltage irregularity, reading 120 to each leg, 240 across.

I spoke with the manager and he's upset that the electrician did not bother changing the fuse, knowing it went out at 29 per the power moniter.

it's got me thinking though, knowing it's tripping w/ low amp draw, what did he do that makes him confident its not his equip.

 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
shophound said:
the equip is monitered by a power monitering agency. I just called and they said the unit has been running for roughly 7 minutes and kicking off at around 20 amps.
Click to expand...
Does this monitoring agency have the ability to control or cycle the equipment? If so, maybe their computer system or whatever form of control is short cycling the compressor.

Please post more info, such as make/model # of unit, tonnage, FLA or RLA, rated circuit ampacity of unit (all on nameplate if it's still legible or present), if system has unloading capabilities, etc.
Click to expand...
man I just noticed this. yeah they control the equip but I had a the unit in test mode.

it's a trane voyager, 5 ton. mca was something like 46.5.

both compresser and fan were running below their own rla's, heater's disconnected.
 
#7 ·
Dammit Greenears, get yourself a cheap Supco megger. I think they're around $100 bucks. Put the metter down and visually inspect the wiring. Shake them around to see if something's rubbing. Check the disconnect for bad connections or a bad fuseholder. I've found that's one of the best uses for an infrared thermometer. Then call Mr. Beach at Comfort Systems and tell him you fixed it.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
well I've been upgrading tools to the extent that I'm sittin home on friday night....broke.

just got myself an hk35 fieldpiece w/ rh attachment and the megger is next week's new toy. I've needed it about ten times in the last few weeks but the amp clamp broke off of my last meter. I had to elec tape it together for this one.


Man I checked every wire I could find for any looseness.

actually, comfort systems doesn't want us getting into breaker boxes.
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
of all these voyager units I service NONE of them have the manual. I think every tech that works on one jacks the first one they come across. they are an odd creature.

and the wiring diagrams......whew, tough to follow.

I had a 60 amp breaker with me too, but they told me to stay out of it.
 
#14 ·
Add an IR Thermometer to the warchest, then you can read temp of breakers. I've caught breakers beneath in panels causing problems as well as main busses going south. What brand of breaker panel is it?
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
I think it's a murray. It'd have been nice to have an infered thermometer at the time. the breaker didn't feel hot but that doesn't really say anything.
 
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