My central A/C is just fine. I'm a mystery writer and I need a question answered for manuscript purposes. Is it possible for the electric company's transformer to blow and affect the central air unit enough to knock it out but be repairable by an electrician? Or would my character have to buy a new one? And if a blown transformer would kill the air conditioning for good, is there some other electrical problem that could be fixed by an electrician?
Carol, Los Angeles, CA
Many times when a transformer fails slowly it causes problems in the house electrical circuitry. If it was a sudden failure, it may not cause much trouble. Occasionally a transformer fails slowly, causing damage in the houses it supplies with power. I have seen electricians consulted first, and they replace faulty breakers, wiring and switches, and the air conditioner still fails to run. If the transformer failed slowly and gave intermittent voltage, it could damage the circuit board and possibly other components. An air conditioning technician would diagnose the problem and make repairs by replacing the components. Also if the voltage was low for a period of time, it could damage the compressor irreparably which would present the option for replacement of the entire unit, rather than pouring a large amount of money into an old system. Replacement often would include the indoor furnace, at which time an electrician would be required by many city codes to pull a permit and make the power wiring connections. Also, a dramatic transformer failure occurs when lightning strikes the power line or transformer, with resulting damage such as holes burned in the side of the house where power comes in, and blackened power receptacles and multiple failures of televisions, garage door openers, alarm clocks, computers, and any other components, along with air conditioning damage. The power company replaces the transformer and, sometimes, the wiring to the house, the electrician repairs damages to the home wiring and breaker panel(s), and the air conditioning technician repairs the air conditioner, or an installation crew replaces the system. Whichever way you write your story, we would really like your character to call their local ARS/Rescue Rooter branch to repair or replace their air conditioning system.