The contactor on my old 3 ton A/C has been making an usual noise and I'm getting ready to purchase and install a new one. I was surprised to see that the original contactor is only a 1-pole unit and that only one hot leg is interrupted. Turns out this is common, one reason being to allow a crankcase heater to be active when no cooling is energized. (I always thought heaters were for heat pumps or maybe operation in cool climates although why need air conditioning?)
Any one know if and/or why the compressor uses a heater in summer operation? Just wondering if it would be OK to disconnect the heater wires and use a 2-pole contactor for added safety?
[BTW: The unit stopped working several weeks ago and it turned out one of the crimped wire terminals at the compressor had deteriorated and created an "open". I fixed it but will replace all 3 with new ones when I get the contactor.]
Any one know if and/or why the compressor uses a heater in summer operation? Just wondering if it would be OK to disconnect the heater wires and use a 2-pole contactor for added safety?
[BTW: The unit stopped working several weeks ago and it turned out one of the crimped wire terminals at the compressor had deteriorated and created an "open". I fixed it but will replace all 3 with new ones when I get the contactor.]