Solving Wiring Problems Efficiently
As a HVAC tech, being able to problem solve quickly and efficiently matters. You can quote jobs with more accuracy, schedule appropriately and provide quality service to customers.
Each job comes with some guesswork, and the more tools you have in your proverbial toolkit, the more you’ll be able to pivot and find the best solution for each job.
That’s where HVAC wiring extenders come in. Wiring extenders allow you to add or upgrade HVAC equipment without installing new cables.
An installation example would be converting an air conditioner to a heat pump. On the AC unit, you may only have two conductors on a low voltage cable going outside. With a wiring extender, you can get a full heat pump multi-stage system running off of only two wires.
Another installation example would be putting in a thermostat that doesn’t have a common wire. With a wiring extender, you can easily add a common wire, allowing you to get the job done more efficiently. This makes even more of an impact in tighter spaces like apartments, condos or busy commercial buildings.
To get a bit more technical, a wiring extender is typically a 2-part kit, which includes a sender and a receiver. When adding functions between a thermostat and indoor unit, the sender is connected to the existing thermostat cable and the new thermostat. The receiver is connected to the other end of the existing cable and the indoor unit. HVAC wiring extenders can also be used between an indoor unit and an outdoor unit.
The sender and receiver communicate over the existing cable providing a reliable hard-wired (not wireless) connection. There is no limit to the number of wiring extenders that can be used in the same building as the units do not affect other wiring extenders or other electronic devices. The wiring extenders don’t require any batteries and the distance between the sender and the receiver can be up to 1,000 feet apart.
There are various wiring extenders on the market that are compatible with major thermostat brands like Nest and Ecobee. To learn more, check out your local supply house for your next wiring solution.