Troubleshooting Thermostat Wiring

These practical demonstrations will help maintenance managers and engineers troubleshoot a variety of wiring problems.   December 22, 2023


By Ryan Hoger, Contributing Writer


In this short, instructional video, Ryan Hoger guides viewers through troubleshooting thermostat wiring issues. He emphasizes the need for specific tools, including wire nuts or jumper cables, an electrical voltmeter, and hand tools like screwdrivers. The troubleshooting process involves identifying and resolving problems with thermostat wiring, and Hoger demonstrates how to use a voltmeter to test and diagnose issues. 

Hoger's examples include searching for faulty wiring by connecting wires to a jumper or wire nut to create a continuous loop from the rooftop unit to the thermostat and back. By doing this, users can test the continuity of the wires using an electrical voltmeter.  

Hoger also discusses troubleshooting scenarios where there is a call for heating, cooling, or fan, but nothing happens on the rooftop unit. In these cases, it's important to distinguish whether the thermostat or the rooftop unit is causing the issue.  

In another example, Hoger creates a call for the fan from the thermostat, illustrating how to initiate the request for equipment operation. He measures the voltage at various thermostat terminals to confirm that the fan call is being transmitted to the rooftop unit. 

These practical demonstrations will help maintenance managers and engineers troubleshoot a variety of thermostat wiring problems.  

Watch more videos from Slipstream:   

How to Wire a Heat Pump 

How to Wire a Thermostat on a Gas Rooftop Unit  

Watch videos from the Facilities In Focus series: 

Sustainability Comes of Age at UC-Irvine Health 

Indoor Air Quality Impacts Student Performance and Comfort   

Ryan Hoger is a contributor with Slipstream.    

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