Gauge It Right With Red Dot’s Wiring Pocket Guide

Air and refrigerant aren’t the only things that circulate through the A/C system. A third element needs to flow smoothly and unimpeded: electricity.

Most technicians start their electrical diagnostics with a check of the ground path. A loose connection, corrosion, or fleck of paint can create resistance, and they’re relatively easy to spot and fix. But sometimes the issue is the ground wire itself.

“The ground wire is part of the complete electrical circuit, just like the power line,” says Frank Burrow, Red Dot’s manager of product and warranty support. “The longer the power and ground wires, the more electrical resistance it will have. If you’re still getting voltage drop after a thorough inspection, make sure the ground wire is the appropriate wire gauge size for the length.”

To help you make that determination, Red Dot has created the Red Dot Wiring Pocket Guide. The chart shows the maximum wire length before 0.5 voltage drop occurs, as well as the voltage drop through various connectors.

Using the proper wiring gauge for the length of run is a basic concept, but it’s easy to forget when you’re in the process of troubleshooting a sticky electrical problem. “We put together a simple guide that technicians and customers can use to maximize component life and promote proper HVAC service,” Burrow says.

The Red Dot Wiring Pocket Guide is available as a PDF so you can quickly and easily print out as many as you need. Contact your Red Dot representative for more information. Download the PDF.