AC Malfunctioning: Do I Have A Bad Transformer? (2021)

Bad Transformer Symptoms Of HVAC Systems

Your HVAC system is key to keeping your house functioning and comfortable. It is made up of machinery that includes numerous large and small parts. It is complex in machinery and normal that breakdowns or misfunctions will happen. The most important thing that you need to do is deal with the problems promptly and efficiently. The best option available to you is to call a local HVAC company. However, if you want to be proactive, you should know some of the potential problems that can arise with your HVAC system. When you have at least some basic knowledge, no one can quickly take advantage of you. Our goal is to educate you on problems that you might be faced with involving your HVAC. We are going to discuss the transformer in this article. The transformer in the HVAC unit is susceptible to developing faults. How can you feel confident about that? We will be talking about transformers and discussing what your HVAC system can potentially generate adverse symptoms. 

What Are Transformers?

They are devices that can increase or decrease the voltage of an alternating current or AC. A transformer is a kind of passive device. It transfers electric energy in between circuits. The process that achieves this is electromagnetic induction. 

Role Played By HVAC Transformers 

A transformer is utilized whenever electricity voltage coming in needs to be increased or decreased to meet the requirements of specific electrical components or parts. The transformer’s job is to change the energy traveling from a circuit board over to an HVAC unit. That progression enables the air conditioner and fan to work synergistically as it cycles on and off. The use of electricity can be increased or reduced depending on the amount of power that is needed.

Where Is The Transformer Located In An HVAC System?

The HVAC unit’s transformer is located inside the furnace. However, in under 10% of cases, it might be located inside the outside AC unit.

Bad Symptoms In Transformers 

There are several symptoms of a bad HVAC transformer, which include: 

1. Humming And Vibrating – A transformer makes a reasonable humming noise. The sound is generated by the expansion and contraction of the laminations or iron core. However, if the sound increases drastically, in addition to the accompanying strong vibrations, it can be an indication that there may be a bad transformer inside your HVAC unit. There may be other possible causes of the humming sounds and waves, such as improper installation or a faulty capacitor. So the best option is o call a technician to check it out to determine what the problem is with your system.

2. Tripped Circut Breaker – When the transformer turns bad normally, it will cause the circuit breaker to trip. It does that to avoid having a voltage surge. If a voltage surge does occur, parts can be fried throughout your furnace and AC, which can cause the equipment to break down significantly.  

3. HVAC Unit Is Not Working – Whenever there is a bad transformer in your HVAC unit, it won’t work even if there is a sufficient power supply. This protective mechanism protects your unit from becoming severely damaged.

Check To Determine If You Have A Bad Transformer 

Your HVAC unit is broken ad you have gone through all of the possible causes. However, nothing seems to solve your problem. In this situation, you need to call a professional to have them confirm your findings and look for the actual cause. Things you have attributed to a basic issue could be bad transformer symptoms inside your HVAC unit. In order to verify that a bad transformer is what the problem is, it must be checked out. To do that, you need a multimeter, along with some basic knowledge on how to properly use it. When a transformer is faulty, it will give an infinite or wide-open reading. A non-faulty transform will read starting at zero all the way to 10 ohms which is an indication of a closed circuit.

Bad Transformer Causes. Adverse transformer symptoms can be caused by the following issues: 

1. Bad Contactor – More often than not, a bad contractor will cause a blown transformer. Having a bad contractor places the whole unit under a lot of stress. Whenever the tension or the strain gets to be too much for an HVAC unit to handle, a blown transformer will usually be the result.  

2. Wiring Problems – Loose wires or cables inside the transformer can fry the transformer and cause a short circuit.  

3. Power Surge – A power surge can also cause a transformer failure, which is a type of electrical failure.