not sure what you are doing, call your supervisor or arrange for a Construction Electrician to assist you.

An "open" is defined as the condition of a component that prevents it from passing current. It may be a broken wire, a burned or pitted relay contact, a blown fuse, a broken relay coil, or a burned-out coil winding. An open can be located in one of two ways. For the components in series, such as the main disconnect switch, fuses, the wire from Point C to Point D (fig. 6-62), the relay contacts, and the wire from Point E to Point F, a voltmeter should be used. Set up the voltmeter to measure the source voltage (120 volts ac, in this case). If the suspected component is open, the source will be measured across it. To check part of the main disconnect switch, close the switch and measure from Point A to Point B. If the meter reading is 0 volts, that part of the switch is good; if the voltage equals the source voltage, the switch is open. To check the fuse F2, measure across it, Point B to Point C. Measuring across Points C and D or E and F will check the connecting wires for opens. One set of relay contacts can be checked by taking meter readings at Points D and E. These are just a few examples, but the rule of series components can always be applied. Remember, the three sets of contacts of relay K1 will not close unless voltage is present across the relay coil; the coil cannot be open or shorted. When testing an electrical circuit, follow the safe practices you have been taught and use procedures outlined in equipment manuals.

Opens in components that are in parallel cannot easily be found with a voltmeter because, as you know, parallel components have voltage across them at all times when the circuit is energized. In figure 6-62, the branch with the motor relay K1 and the dual refrigerant pressure control are considered a parallel circuit. Because when the main disconnect switch is closed and the fuses are good, there is voltage between Points C and H, regardless of whether the relay coil and pressure switch are open. To check for opens in these components, use an ohmmeter set at a low range. Disconnect all power by opening (and locking out, if possible) the main disconnect switch. This action removes all power and ensures both personal and equipment safety. To check the motor relay K1 to see if its coil is open, put the ohmmeter leads on Points C and G. A reading near infinity (extremely high resistance) indicates an open. The contacts of the dual refrigerant pressure control can be tested by putting the ohmmeter leads from Point G to Point H. Again, a reading near infinity indicates open contacts. You may need to consult the manufacturer's manual for the physical location of Points G and H. Notice the contacts of the control are normally closed when neither the head pressure nor the suction pressure is above its set limits.

Shorts

Shorts are just the opposite of opens. Instead of preventing the flow of current, they allow too much current to flow, often blowing fuses. The ohmmeter on its lowest range is used to locate shorts by measuring the resistance across suspected components. If the coil of the motor relay K1 is suspected of being shorted, put the leads on Points C and G. A lower than normal reading (usually almost zero) indicates a short. You may have to determine the normal reading by consulting the manufacturer's manual or by measuring the resistance of the coil of a known good relay. If fuses F2 and F3 blow and you suspect a short between the middle and bottom lines (fig. 6-62), put the ohmmeter leads between Points C and H. Again, a low reading indicates a short. Remember, in all operations using an ohmmeter, it is imperative that all power be removed from the circuit for equipment and personal safety. Don't fail to do this!

Grounds

A ground is an accidental connection between a part of an electrical circuit and ground, due perhaps, to physical contact through wearing of insulation or movement. To locate a ground, follow the same procedure you used to locate a short. The earth itself, a cold-water pipe, or the frame of a machine are all examples of ground points. To see whether a component is shorted to ground, put one ohmmeter lead on ground and the other on the point suspected to be grounded and follow the rules for locating a short. Be sure to turn off all power to the unit. It may even be wise to check for the presence of voltage first. Use a voltmeter set to the range suitable for measuring source voltage. If power does not exist, then use the ohmmeter.

The limited amount of instruction presented here is not enough to qualify you as an electrician, but it should enable you to find such troubles as blown fuses, poor electrical connections, and the like. If the trouble appears more complicated than this, call your supervisor or ask for assistance from a Construction Electrician.