Application Engineering Application Engineering

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AE10-1267 R1 Potential Nuisance Field Problem with Impedance Lock-Out Relays on Solid State Protected Compressors
There have been a number of eld complaints of control circuit lock-outs on systems utilizing solid state protected compressors with control circuits having impedance type lock-out relays. Investigation reveals that many of the problems originate in control circuit design that create conicts between the solid state module and the impedance relay. The solid state module incorporates a two minute "timeoff" relay utilizing the bleed-down capacitor principle. Any time the protection system opens or power to the module is interrupted, the two minute "time-off" delay is triggered, and the module will not reset for two minutes. Once the two minute period is passed, the pilot circuit contacts reset, provided the protection system is satised, (i.e. motor temperature is below a dangerous level) and power is applied to the module. Note that if the power circuit is broken, once the two minute period is passed, the pilot circuit contacts will reset without delay when power is reapplied. An impedance relay is basically a potential relay with a very high resistance in the relay coil. When the coil is wired in parallel with another current path, the high resistance of the impedance relay coil will effectively shunt all current to the alternate circuit and the relay will be inoperative. If the alternate circuit is opened so that full line voltage is imposed across the impedance relay coil, the relay will function. A simplied lock-out circuit with an impedance relay (IR) is shown in Figure I. In normal operation, the solid state pilot circuit M1-M2 is made, and the contactor circuit is completed through M1-M2, the normally closed high pressure control, the impedance relay contacts, and the thermostat. The high resistance of the I R coil shunts all current to the alternate circuit, and the I R relay contacts remain closed. Should the M1-M2 motor protector or the high pressure control open, the I R relay operates to open the I R contacts, and the contactor coil is locked out. Because of the high resistance of the impedance relay coil, the contactor coil will not pull in when the two coils are in series. Once the high pressure control and the motor protector are reset, the lock-out can be removed by opening and closing the thermostat or a manual reset switch. The problem arises if the power circuits to T1-T2 is broken, as might happen if a circuit breaker is opened. The module rst goes into its two minute "time-off" delay, and if the circuit breaker is closed during that period, the M1-M2 contacts will be open, and the impedance relay will lock the contactor out. If the circuit breaker is closed after the two minute delay the same problem may occur. It takes the solid state module a few electrical cycles to energize and close the M1-M2 contacts, and if the impedance relay reacts instantaneously, the contactor will be locked out. It appears on systems with this type of control circuit, if the circuit breaker is opened or the power interrupted, it will be necessary to reset the impedance lock-out relay after power is restored to the T1-T2 contacts on the solid state module.

U U L LL E L T E I B

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I AE10-1267 N R1
February 1988

Reformatted November 2010

2010 Emerson Climate Technologies Printed in the U.S.A.

Application Engineering B U L L E T I N
AE10-1267 R1

Figure 1 Simplified Impedance Relay Lockout Circuit C M1-M2 T1-T2 HP IR T ... ... ... ... ... ... Contactor Coil Solid State Control Circuit Solid State Line Circuit High Pressure Control Impedance Relay Thermostat

2010 Emerson Climate Technologies Printed in the U.S.A.