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Variable Speed ECM Condenser Fan Motors are used in condensers for the high efficient models so that the fan speed for the condenser can be modulated according to the load of the system. The ECM variable-speed fan motors are used in condensers that have a modulating compressor. They are also used in condensers that have two compressors or two-stage compressors. The ECM motor adds to the efficiency of the system by modulating the condenser fan motor. The speed matches the compressor that runs based on demand.
Variable Speed ECM Condenser Fan Motors - Peak Operation

This high SEER Trane condenser uses an ECM variable-speed fan motor
On sweltering days, you need more air conditioning capacity to satisfy the heating load demand. The demand put on your home in the summer. In milder weather, you do not need to run the air conditioner at 100% to satisfy the higher demand. HVAC equipment manufacturers have introduced systems that can run in two stages so that on hotter days, you can satisfy the demand. On the cooler days, you can run the system at a lower setting, thereby using less energy.
Using less energy is the objective, so how do we do this? The solution is two-fold for having an efficient running system. One is to reduce the heat gain by insulating the home. Additionally, adding things to the house, such as attic fans.
These things help reduce heat gain in the living areas that you want to condition with cool less humid air. The second thing you can do is to purchase a higher efficiency system. Staging or modulating from a high level for higher demand to a lower level for lower demand.
Variable Speed ECM Condenser Fan Motors - Efficiency
HVAC Manufacturers introduced two-stage compressors. There are also modulating compressors that will run according to the demand. Demand-based on exactly what you need to condition your space.
Since the compressor would stage based on the demand, they needed a condenser fan motor that would also stage based on demand. Some manufacturers use a standard PSC multi-speed fan motor while others use an ECM fan motor.
These motors facilitate a higher speed for the increased demand. When the system is calling for higher demand, the fan needs to run faster. And lower speeds when the system is calling for lower demand. So when the compressor is running at a higher speed, the condenser fan motor will also run at high speed. When the compressor is running at a slower speed, the fan motor will run at a slower speed.
Variable Speed ECM Condenser Fan Motors - Troubleshooting Tips
The ECM condenser fan motor connects to an electronic control module. The wires from the motor are hooked up to this control module. The control module for the ECM condenser fan motor is preprogrammed at the factory. This is done for the particular motor for a particular function based on the program inside the control module. The parameters for the program are likely based on several different things. Things such as head pressure and the outdoor ambient temperature along with run-time of the condenser.
Manufacturers have diagnostic tools for the ECM motors. Typically you have to unplug the wires going to the control module or at the control module and plug in the diagnostic tool to troubleshoot the ECM. It is a good idea not to pull on the wires but to disconnect the Molex plug carefully. That is so you don’t pull the wires out of the Molex plug. Then all you do is follow the instructions for the diagnostic tool you have hooked up. Some are rudimentary, and some are advanced and will tell you what the problem is if any.
The rudimentary diagnostic tools for the ECM motors will have a flashing light. It will flash so many times to give you a code. You must have or know the code for however many flashes you get to tell you if something is wrong or that everything is good to go. The chart for the code is usually available at the dealer that sold you or gave you the diagnostic tool for troubleshooting the ECM motor.

ECM Motor and Control Module
Variable Speed ECM Condenser Fan Motors - Additional Tips
- Of course, safety first! Make sure you disconnect the power before working with the control module or the ECM motor.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. That means reading the instructions even if you have done it before. Things change, and you need to make yourself aware of the changes. Following the manufacturer’s service bulletins is difficult even for the best technicians (inside joke for someone I know))).
- Always make sure you have the properly rated voltage for the main power. The ECM control module and the motor are sensitive to power issues.
- Always make sure the unit is properly grounded. Follow the grounding out. Check back to the breaker panel if necessary to make sure everything is properly grounded. Electronic devices such as the ECM control module, especially electronic devices that convert AC to DC and the DC power are susceptible to grounding issues.
The Basics
- If replacing the old control module with a new module, always make sure you are using an exact replacement from the manufacturer. Using the wrong control module will cause serious issues or cause the motor not to run efficiently as designed. An exact replacement is always the best replacement for any electrical part.
- If dip switch settings are used, double-check the dip switches. Never assume they are set properly for the application.
- With ECM condenser fan motors always check the obvious things first. Check for clean condenser coils and possible moisture issues around the motor or control module. Most manufacturers do a pretty good job of protecting the ECM condenser fan motor and control module from moisture. However, make sure nothing out of the ordinary is causing moisture issues such as a lawn sprinkler or anything such as that.
- It will likely be obvious, but sometimes it is not, but insects love control panels. Sometimes they cause serious issues in electrical components.
Variable Speed ECM Condenser Fan Motors - Conclusion
As time goes on, the systems become more and more efficient as a result of technological leaps. Some of it is fueled by government regulations forcing manufacturers to make things more efficient. Some of it is innovation. Either way, the systems grow more complex as they grow more efficiently. We must hone our skills and adapt to the changes. Some old dogs can learn new tricks, but you have to want to learn.
Sometimes we cannot forget the old tricks as they can also help us with the newer modern and more complex systems coming out today. This article is in no way comprehensive for ECM condenser fan motors, but it’s a good start.
Variable Speed ECM Condenser Fan Motors
I have a newer (less than one year old) Goodman DSZC180361. This condenser uses a two speed ECM for the fan. However, now after just a few months of operation, the motor is intermittent in operation. Sometimes it will work (on compressor start) and other times it will not. Twice it has resulted in a compressor lockout (from not running, high head pressure I assume). It will sometimes (maybe 60% of the time) fail to start for both cool or heat. So my question is when ECM’s fail, can they fail as so to only start on an intermittent basis? Have you seen this with ECM’s?
I haven’t checked the relays for the ECM signal wires (three, 24v, power, low, and high speed) on the condenser PC board yet (I will soon) but my gut says the ECM module is failing.
Can’t really say for sure. You’ll have to use the test tool for that specific motor to test it. I’m guessing you are in the ballpark. I’ve found bad boards and bad modules but to be certain you need to test first.
What did you determine was the cause and how did you fix the problem? I am experiencing the same problem on my goodman 18SEER 5T unit.
I have a Armstrong 20 seer recently installed at my home, when the unit is not cooling I heard a humm noise on the electronic board that control the compressor and when the unit starts I heard a pitching noise from the electronic card, could you tell me why those noise are generated.
thank you.
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What about damage to psc motors? Are the motors specifically designed to rotate at various voltages in order to avoid burned windings? When I worked for a Carrier dealer we had an add on modulator control we would add for places that needed cooling in winter months such as tanning salons, etc. Are those still available? The reason I ask is that where I currently live we experience a wide temp swing day to night and often times cooling becomes problematic with frost-back overnight. I can’t count the times I’ve had to thaw the evap coil in the am when this happened. Are there aftermarket devices made that can safely be added to my system?
What about damage to psc motors? Are the motors specifically designed to rotate at various voltages in order to avoid burned windings? No, PSC motors are designed to run at a set voltage with a tolerance of (typically) plus or minus 10%. I have seen the problem you are experiencing and my fix for the customer was to add a temperature switch on the evaporator coil. Like a freeze stat. I positioned the temperature probe on the evaporator coil and set it for 34 degrees. When the evaporator coil got down to 34 degrees a switch would open and kill the condenser. The blower keeps running until the temperature rises to a certain temperature where I set the switch to close and turn the condenser back on at 50 degrees or so. I also added a timer switch to the circuit to prevent short cycling of the condenser in case of temperature swings within a five minute period. The customer never had a problem again with the system freezing up. Depending on your system you really need a good HVAC technician who knows what he is doing to modify your system as I describe here.