Rudd - diagnose control board or limit switch - induced draft
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Rudd - diagnose control board or limit switch - induced draft
The furnace is a Rudd induced draft furnace about 20 years old. It has a 1012-925A control board. The furnace starts and goes through the heating cycle correctly. When the thermostat reaches temperature and the furnace enters the shut down cycle it gets stuck in a loop with the Induced Draft Motor running and everything else off. It does not exit this state.
If I turn off the breaker for a minute of so the furnace seems to reset. The next cycle starts correctly.
To repeat he issue occurs at the end of the cycle. The Induced Draft Motor remains running. The diagnostic flow chart indicates to check a 'Limit Switch' or replace the control board.
The chart shows a sequence of 4 switches in series, the first labeled Main Limit Control and remaining 3 each labeled Rollout Control.
Questions:
1. Is there a way do diagnose the Control Board vs. the Limit Switch?
2. Where is the Limit Switch. How can it be tested? (I have found the circuit and while the furnace is in the stuck loop removing a connection to the series loop only turns on the blower and does not reset the system)
If I turn off the breaker for a minute of so the furnace seems to reset. The next cycle starts correctly.
To repeat he issue occurs at the end of the cycle. The Induced Draft Motor remains running. The diagnostic flow chart indicates to check a 'Limit Switch' or replace the control board.
The chart shows a sequence of 4 switches in series, the first labeled Main Limit Control and remaining 3 each labeled Rollout Control.
Questions:
1. Is there a way do diagnose the Control Board vs. the Limit Switch?
2. Where is the Limit Switch. How can it be tested? (I have found the circuit and while the furnace is in the stuck loop removing a connection to the series loop only turns on the blower and does not reset the system)
#2
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So the unit actually reaches the set temperature and the burners shut off? But when the temperature is satisfied the inducer keeps running and gives a high limit rollout error?
What thermostat are you using?
What air filter are you using?
First test will be to use your meter to see if it’s a rollout or limit issue. They will be on a common circuit hence the common error come.
What thermostat are you using?
What air filter are you using?
First test will be to use your meter to see if it’s a rollout or limit issue. They will be on a common circuit hence the common error come.
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Thank you. I am using an old school mercury thermostat. It appears to be working correctly. It will turn the furnace off, and when on it will cause the furnace to start a cycle when the room is below temp.
Why did you ask about filters? I replaced the filters as part of starting to diagnose this problem. They are Honeywell medium quality Allergen Plus filters.
I have identified two switches. One is flat and attached to the sheet metal just above where the flame goes into the furnace. Another is round and facing toward the actual flame. I cannot identify the other two. I can identify the full circuit and there are only two parts.
The furnace has been cycling correctly for about 4 cycles now. I observed the blower motor during the cycle. It remains running while the gas is on. However when the gas goes off near the end of the cycle the Induced Draft Motor turns off. Then a short time later when the main blower turns off the system is off. It stays this way until the next cycle starts.
When the error occurs the Induction Draft Motor does not turn off.
Why did you ask about filters? I replaced the filters as part of starting to diagnose this problem. They are Honeywell medium quality Allergen Plus filters.
I have identified two switches. One is flat and attached to the sheet metal just above where the flame goes into the furnace. Another is round and facing toward the actual flame. I cannot identify the other two. I can identify the full circuit and there are only two parts.
The furnace has been cycling correctly for about 4 cycles now. I observed the blower motor during the cycle. It remains running while the gas is on. However when the gas goes off near the end of the cycle the Induced Draft Motor turns off. Then a short time later when the main blower turns off the system is off. It stays this way until the next cycle starts.
When the error occurs the Induction Draft Motor does not turn off.
#4
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Those filters may be too restrictive for the furnace.
What MERV are they?
Remember, the air filter is not there for your indoor air quality. It’s there to protect the furnace from dust and debris.
The filter can be used for indoor air filtering but this must be included in the design of the equipment. 4” or 5” media filters do a much better job at filtering fine particles while maintaining airflow.
The rollout switch(es) are above the burner.
What MERV are they?
Remember, the air filter is not there for your indoor air quality. It’s there to protect the furnace from dust and debris.
The filter can be used for indoor air filtering but this must be included in the design of the equipment. 4” or 5” media filters do a much better job at filtering fine particles while maintaining airflow.
The rollout switch(es) are above the burner.
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Follow up questions:
The schematic shows 4 limit switches, however on a breakout section two of the four are labeled field installed. This installation does not appear to have them installed Only two are identified. What is their purpose? Are they normally open or closed?
Second question: The circuit shows the Induction Motor to be controlled by a relay. I believe that relay is on the control board. Is that correct? Is it reasonable to assume if that relay were failing or intermittent the Induction Motor could remain on and that would prevent a cycle from starting?
The schematic shows 4 limit switches, however on a breakout section two of the four are labeled field installed. This installation does not appear to have them installed Only two are identified. What is their purpose? Are they normally open or closed?
Second question: The circuit shows the Induction Motor to be controlled by a relay. I believe that relay is on the control board. Is that correct? Is it reasonable to assume if that relay were failing or intermittent the Induction Motor could remain on and that would prevent a cycle from starting?
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Follow up to filter comment:
I have been testing the cycling with the cover off and the safety switch held manually closed. This is taking air directly in to the squirrel cage and excluding the filters from the circuit. This would support your comment about the filters.
All the switches and sensors are below the fan compartment in the burner area. That area is open via the vents to support combustion. How can restrictive filters be affecting the limit switch circuity? There do not appear to be any sensors in the fan area?
I have been testing the cycling with the cover off and the safety switch held manually closed. This is taking air directly in to the squirrel cage and excluding the filters from the circuit. This would support your comment about the filters.
All the switches and sensors are below the fan compartment in the burner area. That area is open via the vents to support combustion. How can restrictive filters be affecting the limit switch circuity? There do not appear to be any sensors in the fan area?