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In automated and mechanical appliances, circuit boards serve as the brain of the operations. Also known as the control board, these thin chips connect to the various components in a unit, giving commands, relaying data, and communicating processes to work the unit like a well-oiled machine.
The same goes for air conditioners. Air conditioners have control board chips that connect to the different parts of the unit. In this article, we'll take a look at PCBs, and why they are vital to the functionality of an air conditioner!
What is an AC Circuit Board?
An air conditioner circuit or control board, also known as the Printed Circuit Board or PCB, is the vital component of an HVAC system that controls the entire unit from the thermostat to the blower motor. The control board is similar to the motherboard of a computer, and controls the different processes within the air conditioner.
Air conditioner circuit boards control all the settings in air conditioners, like the compressor speed, temperature settings, line voltage, fan motor, and more. While air conditioners also have motherboards, the PCB is what connects to the components of an air conditioner through connections called conductive tracks.
The Importance of Air Conditioner Circuit Board
1. Controls Air Conditioner Processes
The main function of a PCB is to communicate command and data to the different parts of the air conditioner. It controls the capacitors, transistors, and compressors, as well as other components, giving the command to function or operate. It is a focal point in the unit that controls much of the air conditoner's operations.
2. Performs Safety Check
Before the AC circuit board sends an output signal to any of the aircon components, it performs a safety check to make sure its connections are stable and working properly. Modern air conditioning units can detect and self-diagnose common problems with your unit, and display an error code on the LCD screen of your unit in case of any issues.
Diagnosing a Faulty Control Board
#1 Inconsistent Settings and Commands
The circuit board relays commands to the rest of the air conditioner parts. Whether it's to change the temperature, switch between aircon modes, or increase the fan speed the AC circuit board relays the data. A faulty control board, however, may fail to relay the correct command, or it may not relay the command at all.
If you notice your air conditioner operation is different from the settings you input, then your AC circuit board may be starting to wear down. It is best to have a knowledgeable HVAC technician assess and fix the issue for you, especially when the problem lies with your air conditioner circuit board.
#2 Air Conditioner Won't Power On
Control boards connect to the power functions of air conditioners, and a faulty PCB may fail to send signals to activate the unit. Thus, your air conditioner won't power on. While this problem may have other causes, such as a tripped breaker, a power outage, or an unplugged unit, ruling out other causes may narrow down the source of the problem to the PCB.
If the circuit board is determined to be the problem, then you most likely need to have the control board replaced. Repairing a circuit board is not unheard of, but replacement may make your unit more durable rather than repairing the unit each time the circuit board breaks down.
Cost of Replacement Parts for a Faulty Control Board
A faulty board replacement will set you back between $100 to $700, depending on the model and make of the circuit board, and the severity of the repair. Replacement parts may up the price by $100 to $150, while labor will differ depending on the aircon service company. Take note that not all technicians will be able to replace the circuit board properly as well.
Why Luce Aircon?
Get rid of those doubts, and rest assured when you have your air conditioners repaired at Luce Aircon. Our technicians have the experience and training when it comes to different air conditioner issues, and they will be able to repair or replace your faulty circuit board properly! Going to Luce Aircon is the best care you can provide your air conditioning unit!
Got a problem with circuit boards? Contact us at Luce Aircon, and we'll have a technician check your unit at your convenient schedule!
