I wanted to understand which wire is common wire on my Heat Pump

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I wanted to understand which wire is common wire on my Heat Pump

This is connected to my heat pump.

Question from user BeatAlive at heatpumps at reddit.

In a heat pump system, the common wire, often referred to as the "C wire," is an important component for providing continuous power to the thermostat. However, the specific wiring configuration can vary depending on the manufacturer and model of your heat pump.

Typically, the common wire is used to complete the circuit for powering the thermostat and is often connected to the "C" terminal on both the heat pump unit and the thermostat. The C wire is usually colored blue, but it can also be any other solid color, such as black or brown.

To determine the common wire in your heat pump system, you can follow these steps:

1. Turn off the power to your heat pump system by switching off the circuit breaker that supplies electricity to it. This is important to ensure your safety while working with the wiring.

   
   

2. Locate the control board of your heat pump. This is usually found in the indoor unit or air handler.

   
   

3. Look for a terminal strip on the control board where the thermostat wires are connected. The terminals are typically labeled with letters, including "C" for the common wire.

   
   

4. Examine the existing wiring and identify the wire connected to the "C" terminal. This wire is most likely your common wire.

   
   

5. If the wire colors are not clearly labeled, you can use a multimeter or voltage tester to verify which wire is providing a continuous 24-volt power supply. The common wire should show a voltage reading between 23-28 volts.

   
   

Once you have identified the common wire, you can connect it to the "C" terminal on your thermostat. However, I must emphasize that working with electrical systems can be hazardous if you are not experienced or comfortable doing so. If you're unsure or uncomfortable with the process, it's best to consult a professional HVAC technician to assist you with the wiring.