An AC wet switch is a savior to prevent flooding and damage to your house. You desperately need it running, especially on summer days when your AC needs to be on most of the time. What do you do when you cannot reset your AC wet switch? This is an irritating problem, so we have gathered information from experts to help you out.
The AC wet switch won't reset because there may still be residue the unit detects. It may look ready and dry, but the round absorbent pad is still not.
A hairdryer or a paper towel can do the job to dry it. Set your hairdryer on low heat. It should dry the pad quickly. You can also grab a paper towel and dry the pad. Your reset switch should be good to go as soon as it's done.
To reset your wet switch seems like a no-brainer, as seen above. But you might be wrong! Continue reading to learn more details regarding the overall operation of your wet switch. Let's get into it!
Resetting AC Wet Switch
You need to reset your wet switch after a test or repair. The reason it’s not able to reset is there is moisture detected that causes the automatic system to shut down or the MOISTURE LED is still on a red signal. It leaves the reset button without an option.
Drying the Pad
You don’t see any water in the unit, but the felt pad may still be slightly wet, which may cause false detection. Drying the absorbent pad should make it work for you. The recommended tools with further instructions are as follows:
Using Hairdryer
It dries the absorbent pad in no time. Don’t forget to put the heat on a low setting throughout the drying time. Wanting the absorbent pad to dry more quickly and turning blow dryer on high heat may damage it. Once it dries, you can now press the reset button. Voila!
Using Paper Towel
It works just as fine. Simply dry the absorbent pad with a paper towel. Make sure that the pad is completely dry before pressing the reset button. Any absorbing cloth will also do.
Keeping your Wet Switch in Good Condition
So is your wet switch up and running alright? How would you know if it’s still in a good condition? The following explains its basic operations:
- Up and Running: Press the POWER ON button to supply power to your device. Now, the LED light must be green and the MOISTURE LED light should be off.
- Conduct Test: Press the TEST button to apply moisture detection and approve proper function. See if your device is still working its functions properly. The MOISTURE LED should light red and the POWER LED light is off.
- Must Reset: Press the RESET button to return the wet switch to its normal state after a test or repair. This button should be pressed when solving a moisture problem.
- The Absorbent Pad: The hydrophilic pad, also called the felt pad or absorbent pad, is located at the bottom of the wet switch. It is an advanced polymer fiber that effectively absorbs water into the sensor array. It applies the technology called the capillary action.
- Safety Precautions: You should never forget. Whether opening, repairing, or maintaining your AC, safety should always be the first thing in mind. Here are the safety tips you should be familiar with:
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- Remove the Power Supply: When attempting to repair your unit or wet switch, make sure to unplug or remove any supply of power to your device.
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- Clean the Filters: It can't be reiterated enough. Cleaning or changing your filters ensures the prevention of most issues in your unit. Never neglect to clean the unit interior. If necessary, replace it.
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- Check Overall Function: AC functions accordingly for different seasons. You set the mode depending on the climate. Thus, tuning up your AC before another season comes gives you less of a hassle, especially during extreme weather.
Also, examine your AC if it's not operating as it should. Notice any changes, even the small ones. If you notice any disturbances in the sound or its functions, do not hesitate to seek help from a professional.
What causes a wet switch to trip?
The common cause of the wet switch tripping is water exceeding the level the pan can take. There is an overflow or water excess.
In short, the pan is full. You may experience a wet switch that keeps on tripping. Just do what was mentioned earlier. Always check your pan. A dry pan is a healthy unit.
Where is the reset switch on my AC unit?
Usually, the reset switch is easy to find. First, look around the exterior, followed by the interior behind the service panel. The button is small and colored red. You should have seen it by now. If not, check your user's manual.
If you still can't find it, your AC unit might not have a reset button. Some air conditioners don't have one.
Don't panic! Most window air conditioners don't go with a reset button on them, whereas outdoor air conditioners can have no reset button. So if you need to reset your unit, the option is to do it manually.
How do you manually reset an air conditioner?
Do a manual reset if your unit doesn't have a readily installed reset button. Don't panic if your AC doesn't have a small, red switch. Do these simple steps to reset your AC:
- Look for the 240 V circuit power supply. It is in the main electrical panel of your house. After finding the 240 V circuit, shut it off.
- To be sure, unplug the unit from the power supply board. Safety first!
- Wait for 20 to 30 minutes for the whole system to cool down. Don't do anything with it. Be patient!
- Set your thermostat to cool. You're almost there!
- Turn back on the circuit and plug in the unit again. It works!
How long does it take for an AC unit to reset?
You need to wait about 30 minutes for an AC to reset completely. After turning the system back on, the internal system connections need to settle back in. Half an hour is the expected time frame.
What does it mean to reset AC?
Do you just press the reset button without apparent reason? Reset, in other words, is restart or reboot. Here are some reasons why you need to reset your air conditioner:
Basic Troubleshoot
Like all other devices or technologies, reset is the standard option when a device is simply not working well as it is supposed to. However, an AC needs more careful reset steps since we're dealing with high-powered technology.
Power Outage
Blackouts usually come when a strong thunderstorm or hurricane hits. No matter the cause of the outage, the AC unit could be prone to damage and be severely affected.
Thus, when the power returns, one of the first things you need to do is check your appliances. One of them is your AC. Of course, promptly plugged out your unit during an outage.
Warm Air
Reset is processed when the unit is blowing warm air when you set it to cool. That's a system issue right there. It might be due to a thermostat error as well. Examine further if that is the case. If so, perform a hard reset as advised.
To learn more about thermostat errors, check out this article:
Room Temperature Doesn’t Match Thermostat Setting—What To Do?
Early Signs
There can be more underlying problems when you reset your unit multiple times. Try to observe some signs.
If you think the problem is repetitive or might cause further damage to your circuit, calling a contractor company might save you time and money. Or it could be that it's time to purchase a new air conditioner if you can't remember when you installed your unit.
In Closing
An air conditioner is a necessity in every household. Summer can hit and drain you down. It is important to stay cool and make sure to maintain a normal body temperature.
A reset issue with your AC wet switch, especially when it's summer, can be stressful. But this handy information is always ready for you, so you'll be able to beat the summer heat!
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