Troubleshooting Electrical Motor and Compressor Problems
A good digital multimeter (DMM) is key to diagnosing compressor problems in general. For instance, in a previous article (May 15 issue of The NEWS) we discussed using the DMM to read suction and discharge pressure, discharge line temperatures, overnight temperatures, and valve performance. A clamp meter, on the other hand, is a great tool for troubleshooting electrical motor and compressor problems.
Meters designed to accurately measure both AC voltage and AC current are especially useful. They let you measure current without breaking into the electrical circuit.