Beatrice Lang
Electric furnace control boards are essential for regulating fan and burner operations. However, spotting a faulty control board can be challenging. If you suspect that your control board is malfunctioning, you should first check the diagnostic/indicator lights. If the light is not blinking, you should check if power is getting to the control board. You can use a multimeter or voltage meter to test for electricity. If the control board has power but the diagnostic light is still out, the board likely needs to be replaced. Before attempting any repairs or replacements, it is crucial to cut the power to the furnace to avoid electrical hazards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Control board functionality | If the control board has power but the diagnostic light is off, the control board is likely faulty and needs to be replaced. |
| Control board location | The control board is usually located at the base near the blower. |
| Tools required | Voltage meter/multimeter, screwdriver, electrical tape, furnace manual, and a camera or smartphone to take pictures. |
| Safety precautions | Turn off the power to the furnace to avoid electrical accidents. |
| Troubleshooting steps | 1. Check for power entering the control board by locating the black wire with "120VAC Hot" and using a voltage meter/multimeter. 2. If the control board has power, check the diagnostic/indicator light. 3. If the light is not blinking, test the thermostat terminals by connecting and disconnecting wires with the furnace turned on and off. 4. If the furnace turns on, the problem is likely with the thermostat or another component, not the control board. 5. If the furnace does not turn on, use a multimeter to test the output power from the control board to other components. 6. If there is no power output, the control board may be faulty and needs to be replaced. |
| Repair or replacement | If the control board is faulty, you can choose to repair it if it is under warranty or replace it with an exact, compatible control board. |
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What You'll Learn
Check the control board's diagnostic lights
The control board of an electric furnace is an essential component that regulates and controls the functions of the furnace. It is the brain of the HVAC system, providing instructions to various components such as the igniter, blower motor, gas valve, and thermostat to generate and distribute heat. When the control board malfunctions, the entire system's performance can suffer.
To check the control board's diagnostic lights, follow these steps:
- Ensure that the power to your furnace is turned off. This is a critical safety measure before working with any electrical equipment.
- Remove the front access panels of your furnace. The control board is typically located in the bottom access area, near the blower.
- Visually inspect the control board for any signs of damage, such as burn marks or strange smells. If there are obvious signs of damage, the control board may need to be replaced.
- Locate the control board's diagnostic/indicator lights. These lights are usually LED lights designed to indicate operational status and may be flashing or off entirely if there is a problem.
- If the indicator lights are flashing, consult the furnace manufacturer's manual or the chart inside the access door. This chart will explain the specific flashing patterns and their corresponding issues.
- If the indicator lights are not on at all, check if the control board is receiving power. Locate the wire that powers the control board, which is usually black and labelled as 120VAC Hot.
- Use a voltage meter to test if the control board is receiving sufficient electricity. If the readings are too low, the control board may need to be replaced.
- If the control board has power but the diagnostic light is still not on, the control board is likely faulty and requires replacement.
It is important to note that working with electrical equipment can be hazardous. If you are unsure about any part of the process or do not feel confident, it is always best to consult a licensed HVAC technician for assistance. They have the expertise and tools to diagnose and resolve any issues safely and effectively.
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Check for power entering the control board
Before checking for power entering the control board, it is important to take necessary safety precautions. Turn off the power to your furnace to avoid any electrical accidents. Once the power is off, you can proceed to remove the access panels to access the control board.
Now, let's move on to checking for power entering the control board:
- Locate the wire that connects your transformer to the control board. This wire is typically black and labelled as "120VAC Hot" or something similar.
- Use a voltage meter or a multimeter to test if there is power flowing through this wire.
- If your voltage meter or multimeter shows a reading of 120 volts AC, then the control board is receiving power as expected.
- If the control board has power but the diagnostic light is not on, the control board may be faulty and require replacement.
- On the other hand, if there is no power detected, there could be an issue with the power source or the control board itself.
It is important to note that working with electrical appliances and their components can be dangerous. If you are unsure or uncomfortable performing these checks, it is always best to consult a professional technician for assistance.
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Test the thermostat terminals
Testing the thermostat terminals on an electric furnace control board can be done through the following steps:
Firstly, ensure that power is applied to the control board. Check if the control board indicator light blinks. If the light is not blinking, refer to the first section of this article for further steps.
Next, turn off the furnace. Use a wire to connect and test the terminals, turning the furnace on and then back off between each test. To test the heat, connect the R and W terminals. To test the cooling, connect the R and Y terminals. If the furnace turns on after testing the terminals, the control board is likely not the source of the problem.
You can also test the wires for electrical continuity. Set the multimeter to the ohms (Ω) setting. Remove the thermostat from its base and disconnect the wires, taking a photo of where they are attached so you know where to replace them. Touch the multimeter probes to the wire terminals. A working thermostat will show continuity, usually displayed as a low resistance value on the multimeter.
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Check for power exiting the control board
Checking for power exiting the control board of an electric furnace is a complex task that requires some electrical knowledge and tools. It is recommended that if you are in doubt, contact a professional technician. However, if you have the knowledge and want to give it a DIY try, here are the steps to check for power exiting the control board:
First, cut the power to the furnace to ensure safety and prevent any hazards or injuries. Then, locate the furnace's control board, which is usually found in the bottom section, near the blower, behind the access panel/door. You may need to remove other components to get to the control board.
Once you have accessed the control board, the next step is to check for power exiting the board. This can be done by using a voltage meter or multimeter to test the power supply and output. Locate the voltage wires that connect the control board to the power source, and set your multimeter to measure line voltage, usually denoted by "V." Carefully place the probes of the multimeter on each wire, ensuring they do not touch any other metal surfaces. A typical reading for a functioning control board should be between 110-120 volts.
If the control board is receiving power but the diagnostic indicator light is not on, this could indicate that the board is not functioning properly and may need to be replaced. The diagnostic light may also flash in a specific pattern, which can be referenced in the furnace manufacturer's manual to determine the specific problem.
If the control board is not receiving power, there may be other issues such as blown fuses, tripped circuit breakers, or wiring problems that need to be addressed before power can exit the control board.
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Check for signs of damage
Checking for signs of damage on an electric furnace control board is important to ensure that your furnace is operating correctly. Firstly, you will need to gather the required tools, such as a screwdriver and a voltage meter, and then remove the access panels for your furnace. The control board is usually located at the base near the blower, inside the control panel of your furnace.
Some control boards show apparent signs of damage, such as burn marks, bad or loose wiring, or blown fuses. If you don't see any damage, you may notice strange smells or burning odours. Additionally, you can check for diagnostic indicator lights, which are usually LED lights that indicate when there is a problem with the furnace's operation. These lights may be flashing in a specific pattern or may be off entirely, indicating a specific problem with the furnace.
You can also use a voltage meter to test the control board's power supply and power output. Locate the shared wire connecting your transformer to your control board, which should have a black exterior and a 120VAC Hot label. Use the voltage meter to check if there is power flowing in the line. If the readings are too low, you may need to replace the control board.
If your furnace is not turning on at all, it could be due to a faulty control board. Other signs of a malfunctioning control board include the blower fan running constantly, uneven heating in your home, the burners turning on and off unexpectedly, or the fan running when the furnace is not heating.
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few ways to identify a faulty control board. Firstly, check the diagnostic/indicator lights on the control board. If the light is not blinking, check if power is getting to the control board. If the control board has power but the diagnostic light is still out, the board is likely faulty and needs to be replaced.
First, check if your furnace has a door switch to test the power coming into the control board. Tape the switch down to prevent electrical accidents. Then, locate the wire leading from the transformer into the control board. This wire is usually black with "120VAC Hot" on it. Use a voltage meter or multimeter to check if there is power flowing into the line. If the control board has 120 volts of power entering it, then it has power.
If your electric furnace control board is faulty, you have two options: repair or replace. Repairing a control board can be complex as it involves working with wires and electrical circuits, so it is recommended that you contact a professional technician. If you choose to replace the control board, you must ensure that you have the exact, compatible control board for your furnace.
