Split Airconditioner Control

Troubleshooting

Here are some basic split airconditioner control troubleshooting guide that
may help you to understand more of the electronics control of your
equipment. This is a non-inverter type of control.

Take note that you need to have a good electrical knowledge to do this as
the power supply to the printed circuit board is LIVE. It is always a good
practice to disconnect and isolate the power supply when you are
troubleshooting the control board. If you are not sure, get a qualified
technician to check your unit.

A split air conditioner is also commonly known as ductless split or mini split
where there is an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. The outdoor unit consists
of a compressor, a fan and the condenser. This is the place where heat from
the indoor is transferred from the indoor to the outdoor and is rejected to the
surrounding.

The indoor unit basically consists of an evaporator, an expansion valve and a

fan. Copper pipes are used to connect the flow of refrigerant between the
indoor unit and the outdoor unit. The power input can come from the indoor
unit to the outdoor unit.

The non-inverter split air conditioner basically consists of a ON/OFF

compressor where the compressor is either ON fully or OFF fully. The inverter
based compressor can regulate the speed of the compressor depending on
the load required.

Here is the breakdown of the typical controller for better understanding.

Main Control Printed Circuit Board

The main control board can be divided into input power supply, a
microcomputer controller integrated circuit, temperature sensor inputs and
outputs to control the compressor, indoor fan speed, outdoor fan speed and
air swing. The AC input from the mains has to be converted to DC voltage
where it can be used to power the integrated circuits and drivers in the
electronics circuit.

There are two ways to do this. One is by using a step down transformer
where the AC voltage is stepped down to voltage such as 25V AC or 12V AC.
This voltage is then converted to DC by the use of diode bridge as rectifier
and electrolytic capacitor to smoothen the rectified voltage.

A 3-pin voltage regulator is used to get a fixed 5V DC or 12V DC power

supply. This low voltages are used to power the microcomputer, DC relays
and other integrated circuits in the circuit.

A simple linear power supply circuit.

The other method is to use switched mode power supply or SMPS which
makes the dimension of the printed circuit board smaller as the bulky
transformer can now be replaced with a smaller transformer. This design is
becoming more common as the quest for smaller space is becoming more
critical.
There is usually a surge absorber or a varistor connected across the input of
the power supply. This device acts to protect the internal circuit in the event
of lightning or power surge.

When the power input to the device exceeded its voltage rating, it will clamp
the voltage by bypassing it to the input source.

This is one device that can be easily damaged if the power surge or lightning
occurred beyond its maximum rating.

A fuse is placed in series with the input power supply to cutoff any
overcurrent or short circuit that happened in the circuit.

This is another protective device used in most electronics circuit. It has to be

replaced once it is blown.

Infra-Red Receiver Board

In order for the handheld remote control to send the settings to the
controller at the air conditioner unit, there is at least an infra-red receiver
printed circuit board that receives the signals from the handset. This receiver
is usually located in front of the indoor unit and can be identified by a
specially made sticker that allow infra-red frequency to pass through.

Handheld Remote Control

Also known as handset, this is where you can control the air conditioner
settings remotely by pointing your handset towards the air conditioning unit.
Temperature, timer, operating mode, energy saving function, air swing
direction, fan speed, ionizer and sleep mode are some of the functions that
are usually available depending on the manufacturer of the unit.

Split Airconditioner Control Troubleshooting Guide

Here is a list of split airconditioner control troubleshooting guide that you can
use if you need to troubleshoot your split air conditioner unit. When
troubleshooting, make sure mains power is disconnected before
proceeding to check the printed circuit board to prevent electric
shock.

Possible How To
Problem
Causes Check
 A) CHECK
TRACK OR
COMPONENT
A) LIVE- BURNT
NEUTRAL B) FUSE,
SHORTED VARISTOR OR
1) BURNT
B) LIGHTNING TRANSFORMER
C) SURGE OF BURNT
POWER LINES C) FUSE,
VARISTOR OR
TRANSFORMER
BURNT

A) USE TEST
PEN TO CHK
AVAILABILITY
OF POWER
SUPPLY
A) FUSE B) USE TEST
BLOWN PEN TO CHK
B) VARISTOR AVAILABILITY
BURNT OF POWER
2) NOT C) SUPPLY
WORKING TRANSFORMER C) USE
PAD LIFTED MULTIMETER
D) TO CHECK
TRANSFORMER RESISTANCE (
BURNT 2-3 OHM)
D) USE
MULTIMETER
TO CHECK
RESISTANCE (
2-3 OHM)

A) USE
MULTIMETER
TO CHECK
A)
RESISTANCE
THERMISTOR
OF
OPEN/SHORT
THERMISTOR
3) COMP. B) CRIMPING
B) USE
CANNOT OF
MULTIMETER
CUT IN THERMISTOR
TO CHECK
AND OUT NOT GOOD
RESISTANCE
C) PAD AT
OF
THERMISTOR
THERMISTOR
LIFTED
(VERY HIGH
RESISTANCE
> 1 MEGA
 OHM)
C) USE
MULTIMETER
TO CHECK
RESISTANCE
OF
THERMISTOR
(VERY HIGH
RESISTANCE
> 1 MEGA
OHM)

4)
TRIPPED REFER TO
AFTER FUSE RATING
OVERCURRENT
FEW OF
HOURS DISTRIBUTION
ON

A) USE
MULTIMETER
A) WRONG
TO MEASURE
THERMISTOR
CORRECT
B)
5) NOT THERMISTOR
THERMISTOR
SENSITIVE B) CHECK TO
PLACE AT
ENSURE
WRONG
THERMISTOR
LOCATION
AT RETURN
AIR

A) USE
MULTIMETER
TO CHECK
6) RESISTANCE
A) CRIMPING
SENSOR OF
NOT DONE
WIRE THERMISTOR
PROPERLY
LOOSE (VERY HIGH
RESISTANCE
> 1 MEGA
OHM)

A) OFF UNIT
7) PCB A) BUZZER AND ON
NOISY SHORTED AGAIN, CHECK
BUZZER
 A) USE TEST
PEN TO CHK
FOR POWER
A)
SUPPLY
OVERCURRENT
B) USE TEST
B) LIVE AND
8) FUSE PEN TO CHK
NEUTRAL
BURNT FOR POWER
SHORTED
SUPPLY
C)
C) USE TEST
OVERVOLTAGE
PEN TO CHK
FOR POWER
SUPPLY

A) USE
MULTIMETER
TO CHK
9) A)
VARISTOR
VARISTOR OVERVOLTAGE
B) USE
BURNT B) LIGHTNING
MULTIMETER
TO CHK
VARISTOR