When testing a run capacitor, many techs pull the leads off and use the capacitance setting on their meter to test the capacitor. On a system that is not running, there isn't anything wrong with this test. However, when you are CONSTANTLY checking capacitors as a matter of regular testing and maintenance, that extra step […]

A while back, I had a tech who was having some trouble finding a 35 PSI (2.41 bar) make-on-fall pressure switch. One adjustable switch in the catalog said (SPDT), but he didn't quite understand what that meant. In that case, it means single-pole, double-throw, and the “double-throw” part means that the switch has terminals in both the […]

When I started in the trade in 1999, there were still many oilable blower motors in service. As part of the maintenance, we would remove the housing and oil the motor. We would also vacuum the motor and wipe it down. As oilable motors have become extinct, I see fewer and fewer techs pulling the […]