Disconect

[tlp7]

Have any of you ever ran across a bad blade style disconect. the blade is not making a good connection at times and the unit wont start. i bump the blade and unit works. i have checked all connections and this is the only loose part. I am going to replace it monday when i can get a new one. is this a common part to go bad and can they be fixed or should they always be replaced.

[ryan1088]

You can't squeeze the female part to get a good connection?

[dandyme]

replacing the disconnect is the only thing that will resolve the issue

generally see that problem on older disconnects

[matt1124]

Replace it. Sqeezing the socket closed a little is only a short term solution. As disconnects get old they eventually wear out, it's a common thing.

[timebuilder]

Yep. Replacement is the answer.

Ever see what happens when it gets worse?

[tlp7]

ryan if it was a lever type that might work but this is the pulll out type so with out taking it all the way apart i dont think that will work. still not sure if i would have access to the part that needed to be squeezed.it looks to be incased in plastic. yes dandy it is older about 12 yrs old. they are cheap and easy to replace i had just never ran into a bad one before.

[shaworth1]

always replace a suspected faulty disconnect, there not that expensive and the homeowner deserves as safe a system as possible.

[timebuilder]

Have any of you ever ran across a bad blade style disconect. the blade is not making a good connection at times and the unit wont start. i bump the blade and unit works. i have checked all connections and this is the only loose part. I am going to replace it monday when i can get a new one. is this a common part to go bad and can they be fixed or should they always be replaced.

A little help on terminology.

The three phase disconnect in the picture I posted has blades, or "tines."

A typical residential disconnect has "blades" or "tines" as well. So, these terms don't tell the reader (or listener on a phone call) which type of disconnect you mean.

Whenever I want to describe the residential type, I say "pull disconnect." You can also distinguish between "fused pull disconnect" and "unfused pull disconnect." Both types are available at the supply house.

I have found that most of the pull disconnects I see, need to be replaced. They typically show a LOT of scorching of the tines, as if they have been used to interrupt power to a locked rotor compressor, and several times by the look of them.

If the disconnect is suspect, replace it!

[hvacvegas]

always replace a suspected faulty disconnect, there not that expensive and the homeowner deserves as safe a system as possible, for techs to work on.

Dang straight.

[cavitech]

Its a common enough issue that all AC installs I do get a Breaker switch style disconnect with a GFI outlet. Cause I'm lookin out for the next guy.

[matt1124]

Pull out types are like 8 bucks for a name brand. If it's that type I always replace it when replacing the condensor.

[Thorazine]

Change it out. You won't wake up at 2:00 am thinking I should have changed that disconnect........

[dandyme]

OP, eventually you will see more

always enjoy finding those big knife switches screwed up