24
SERVICING
As more and more electronic's are introduced to the
Heating Trade, Polarization of incoming power and phasing
of primary to secondary voltage on transformers becomes
more important.
Polarization has been apparent in the Appliance industry
since the introduction of the three prong plug, however, the
Heating Industry does not use a plug for incoming power,
but is hard wired.
Some of the electronic boards being used today, with
flame rectification, will not function properly and/or at all
without polarization of incoming power. Some also require
phasing between the primary and secondary sides of step-
down transformers.
THIS IS L1 OR THE
HOT POWER LEG
INCOMING POWER
THIS IS THE COMMON
OR NEUTRAL LEG
METER READS
120 VOLTS
METER READS
0 VOLTS
GN
D
GN
D
VOLT / OHM
METER
VOLT / OHM
METER
These then should be wired to the furnace accordingly.
Checking for Phasing - Primary to Secondary of
Unmarked Transformers*
.
. .
.
. .
VOLT / OHM
METER
GN
D
PR
IM
A
R
Y
S
EC
O
ND
AR
Y
TRANSFORMER
R
C
METER READS
24 VOLTS
LINE VOLTAGE
(NEUTRAL)
LINE VOLTAGE
L1 (HOT)
VOLT / OHM
METER
METER READS
120 VOLTS
VOLT / OHM
METER
C
R
GN
D
N
L1
VOLT / OHM
METER
READS 96 VOLTS - IN PHASE
C
R
GN
D
N
L1
VOLT / OHM
METER
READS 144 VOLTS - OUT OF PHASE
If meter reads approximately 96 volts - the primary to
secondary are in phase - if reads approximately 144 volts
out of phase - reverse low voltage wires.
*NOTE: For flame rectification the common side of
the secondary voltage (24 V) is cabinet grounded.
If you were to bench test a transformer the
primary neutral and secondary common must be
connected together for testing purposes.
Some transformers will display phasing symbols as shown
in the illustration to the left to assist in determining proper
transformer phasing.
Checking for polarization and phasing should become a
habit in servicing. Let’s start now.
NOTE: Newer integrated ignition controls have
a diagnostic flash code for reversed polarity
(Refer to Troubleshooting-Diagnostic Chart for
LED Codes).
C
R
GN
D
NEUTRAL
L1
PHASING SYMBOL
24 V
120 V
CUBIC
FEET
1
1
One
