Help!!!! Circuit tripping

[msb87]

First post and not a Heat pump master. I came home (Phoenix) and the inside fan was on but no warm air (yes we actually do use it sometimes :p ) No action at the outside unit. The breaker on the wall at the unit was on but the main breaker was tripped. The main breaker trips as soon as the outside unit starts. If I turn the system off at the stat the breaker will stay on and there is a slight hum coming from the outside unit. Any help would be awesome. I have a voltmeter and I'm not afraid to use it, well a little anxious with 240v. I don't know where to start. Could it be as simple as the breaker? Why 2 breakers? The unit is a Carrier. I assume a 5 ton since I have a 2 story, ~2900 sqf house. Thanks in advance.

Michael

[Ed Imeduc]

Well you could put a amprobe on the wires to the compressor and have some one turn the unit on and see what you read there. But sounds like a dead short out there and could be the compressor or the fan I think more on the compressor. You could with the power off open it up out side and see if and wires burnt off or lose anywhere in it .

ED ;)

[msb87]

Thank you so much for the response. It is really nice of you. I went out, in the daylight this time, I took off the service panel and the top with the fan still attached. No lose or burnt wires. The same problem still exists. But the good news is that I was able to locate the low hum when I have the breaker on but before I turn the system on. The humming is coming from the fan motor. I can feel it when I put my hand on it and hear it. Is the fan supposed to make that noise when the system is off? Is the fan motor something I can replace myself? Do I replace the blades and motor or just the motor. Again, Thank You and have a great Thanksgiving. :)

[heatpumpman]

that would be the thing to check. It's a silver can with three separate wiring terminals on top of it. Don't change anything until this is confirmed one way or another.

[msb87]

How do I check the capacitor? There is also 2 of those. One big, one small. The wiring from the fan leads to the small. Thanks.