POLARIZATION AND PHASING
40
As more and more electronic's are introduced to the Heat-
ing 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 re-
quire 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*
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 diagnos-
tic flash code for reversed polarity (Refer to
Troubleshoot-
ing-Diagnostic Chart
for LED Codes).
.
. .
.
. .
VOLT / OHM
METER
G
ND
P
R
IM
ARY
SEC
O
N
D
A
R
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
G
N
D
N
L1
VOLT / OHM
METER
READS 96 VOLTS - IN PHASE
C
R
G
N
D
N
L1
VOLT / OHM
METER
READS 144 VOLTS - OUT OF PHASE
C
R
G
N
D
NEUTRAL
L1
PHASING SYMBOL
24 V
120 V
