
Bulletin 30-20 —Page 20
© Copyright 2014, Unico, Inc.
STARTUP
! IMPORTANT !
The most important step when installing
the Unico System is making sure it has the
correct airflow. Be sure to record the am-
perage and voltage of every system in or-
der to verify the airflow through the unit.
Also, measure the airflow at each outlet to
verify the airflow in each room. Both meth-
ods are described later in this section.
Sequence of Operation
The sequence of operation depends greatly on the options
installed and type of control thermostat used. Most ther-
mostats have a fan AUTO-ON switch. When the fan
switch is set to ON, the “G” circuit is closed and the
blower relay is energized. The indoor blower starts after
about a 20 second delay. The following paragraphs de-
scribe the sequence of operation when the fan is set to
AUTO. If the fan switch is set to ON, the sequence is the
same except the “G” circuit is always closed and the in-
door fan is always operating.
Cooling Cycle (A/C or Heat Pump). When the ther-
mostat calls for cooling, the “Y” and the “G” circuits are
closed, and a 24 V signal is sent to the compressor con-
tactor in the outdoor unit and fan relay in the indoor unit.
After about 20 seconds, the indoor blower starts. At the
same time, the compressor and outdoor fan also start. De-
pending on the control circuitry in the outdoor unit, there
may be a time delay before the outdoor unit starts. If the
system was just turned off, the time delay could be as
much as five minutes. The cooling system is now operat-
ing.
For heat pump thermostats setting the switch to ‘cooling’
immediately closes the “O” circuit, which is used to ener-
gize the reversing valve solenoid if required by the heat
pump. Otherwise, the “B” circuit, which closes when
switched in heating, is used to energize the reversing
valve solenoid. (Refer to the heat pump manufacturer’s
instructions to see which mode the solenoid needs to be
energized –whether in heating or cooling.)
When the thermostat is satisfied, the 24 V signals are
opened and the outdoor unit stops. The indoor blower
continues to operate for about 40 seconds, then stops. The
system is now off.
Heating Cycle (Heat Pump). Setting the thermostat to
HEATING will automatically switch the reversing valve
solenoid. This setting closes the “B” circuit which sends
a 24V signal to energize the solenoid if required by the
heat pump. Otherwise the “B” circuit is not used and the
solenoid is not energized during heating.
When the thermostat calls for heating, the “Y” and “G”
circuits are closed, sending a 24 V signal to the compres-
sor contactor in the outdoor unit and the fan relay in the
indoor unit. This starts the indoor blower and the outdoor
compressor. There is a time delay of about 20 seconds for
the indoor unit. The heating system is now operating in
stage one.
If the first stage does not satisfy the thermostat, the second
stage thermostat calls for more heat. This closes the “W2”
contacts and energizes the sequencer for electric heat (if
installed). When the second stage thermostat is satisfied,
the “W2” circuit is broken and the sequencer is de-ener-
gized. The electric heating system is now off.
When the first stage thermostat is satisfied, the 24 V sig-
nals are opened and the outdoor unit stops. The indoor
blower continues to operate for about 40 seconds, then
stops. The system is now off.
Heating Cycle (Electric Heat-Only). When the ther-
mostat calls for heating, the “W” and “G” circuits are
closed. The W circuit completes the 24V signal to the se-
quencer in the electric duct heater, which cycles on the
electric heating elements. The G circuit completes the
24V signal to the fan relay in the indoor unit, which starts
the indoor blower after a time delay of about 20 seconds.
The heating system is now operating.
When the thermostat is satisfied, the 24 V signals are
opened and the indoor blower stops after about 40 sec-
onds. At the same time the sequencer cuts the power to
the electric elements. The system is now off.
Note: Use a thermostat designed for electric
heat. A normal heating-cooling thermostat will
not close the “G” circuit on heating.
Ventilation Cycle. When the thermostat is satisfied and
the fan switch is set to “AUTO”, the “G” circuit is open
so that power to the motor goes through the variable speed
controller and the motor runs at reduced speed. The speed
controller is set by the installer to a specific speed. (The
factory default setting for the speed control is “OFF”.)
Using the typical wiring schematic, the fan will operate
continuously if the variable speed control is switched on.
It will either operate at normal speed (full speed) or at a
reduced speed. Use the alternate wiring diagram to allow
the user to turn the ventilation mode off at the thermostat.
To turn it off simply move the fan switch to the AUTO
position.
Checking Air Flow
CAUTION
Do not operate blower with free dis-
charge or low static pressures (below 1-
inch w.c. (250 Pa)) to prevent motor from
overloading.
After the system is installed and before charging system,
check for proper airflow. Record the position of the re-
strictor plate, the plenum static pressure, and the motor
amperage. With this information, the amount of airflow
can be determined.