How Do I Know If My Furnace Has A High Limit Switch?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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You will know your high limit switch is engaging or

tripping when your “short cycles

.” The furnace will turn on normally, run for a little while without producing heat – or without bringing your home's temperature up to the thermostat set point – and then turn off. The cycle repeats again every few minutes.

Where is fan limit switch on furnace?

Your fan limit switch is located

inside the furnace panel cover

, usually near the upper right corner. The fan limit switch is responsible for turning the blower on and off at the appropriate times.

Do all furnaces have a fan limit switch?


Fan/Limit switches are used on all types of building heating furnaces

. CLICK HERE to see a CLOSE-UP [image] of the FAN OFF, ON, and HIGH LIMIT OFF factory settings on this fan limit control. 1- FAN OFF: the low temperature at which the furnace blower fan will STOP to prevent blowing cool air onto room occupants.

How do I know if my fan limit switch is bad?

The most common sign of a malfunctioning limit switch is

the continuous operation of your furnace's blower

. Just as the limit switch won't allow the fan to turn on until the warm air has reached the right temperature, the limit switch also shuts down when the air cools to a certain temperature.

Do all furnaces have switches?


Furnaces have another switch

, simply known as the “furnace switch.” It's a power switch that often looks like a regular light switch. It can be located either on the unit or—because electricians often work before the furnace is installed—on a wall nearby. Often this switch is unlabeled.

Can you bypass a limit switch?

1 Answer.

Yes

, you can bypass the high limit switch for testing. It's as trivial to do as it sounds.

Why does my furnace high limit switch keep tripping?

If the air inside your furnace gets too hot, the limit switch trips to prevent overheating. If the furnace high limit switch trips due to overheating,

there is likely an airflow issue that is preventing proper air movement through the system

. … A dirty filter is the most common cause of airflow issues.

How do you reset a fan limit switch?

  1. Locate your furnace's heating duct. …
  2. Locate the white limit switch. …
  3. Look at each arm to identify the settings. …
  4. Identify the component (setting) located in between the two arms. …
  5. Set the temperature on the middle component to approximately 105 to 115 degrees Fahrenheit.

How much does it cost to replace a limit switch?

Another safety control is a high limit switch, which measures the temperature of the furnace to ensure it is running within safe temperatures. Both of these are small but critical parts for safe furnace operation, and they will run from

$150 to $400

to repair.

Where is the limit switch located?

A limit switch is a device that's located

under your furnace's supply plenum

. It reads the temperature of the plenum and waits until it gets appropriately warm. Once the plenum reaches a specific temperature, the limit switch sends a signal to the air handler to begin running and delivering warm air to your home.

Is it safe to turn off power to furnace?

We

recommend you shut down the electrical power to the furnace through the breaker panel

. This will also prevent the furnace from turning on automatically because of someone playing around with the thermostat settings or because of a brief cold snap.

Is it OK to turn off furnace breaker?

Go to your circuit breaker. … Gas furnaces use electricity to power the blower, sensors, and safety system.

Turn off the breaker for the furnace

. Doing this will eliminate any “ghost” power use from the furnace during the summertime.

How do I know if my furnace gas valve is bad?

If you notice strange noises from your furnace,

airflow distribution

is weak, or it starts to cycle between on and off settings continuously, you likely have problems that don't involve the gas valve. A service visit to troubleshoot the problem is needed.

Can you bypass furnace limit switch?


There is no good reason for a consumer to bypass

a furnace limit switch. Furnace switches are reliable, inexpensive to replace, and are designed for protection of the consumer. Bypassing a furnace limit switch or any home heating component can create dangerous safety and fire hazards.

What causes a limit switch to open?

The limit switch shuts off the burner when the temperature exceeds a preset temperature. When the temperature reduces to normal, the burner will come back on. The most common reason for limits to open is

a plugged filter or a dirty blower wheel

.

Why does my furnace keep hitting the reset button?

If a furnace isn't receiving enough airflow, it may

overheat

and trigger the reset button to trip. Make sure to clean or replace the air filters and keep the air vents open enough for proper airflow. … Keeping the flame sensor rod clean by wiping it off regularly will help keep this from happening.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.