GeneralAire GA50A20 User Manual
Page 12

12
PROBLEM
PROBABLE CAUSE
REMEDY
System fan is not on.
Turn system fan on.
Unit does not function 
correctly. Power light 
and performance indi-
cator light are OFF. 
Wiring improperly connected.
Check wiring or if plug is inserted and receptacle is powered.
Defective power switch.
Check power switch for continuity with ohmmeter. Replace if defective.
Defective safety interlock.
Remove door and press safety interlock with a screwdriver. If lights 
come on, bend interlock lever towards front and close door. 
Unit does not function 
correctly. Power light is 
ON and performance 
indicator light is OFF. 
Short in cells due to: 
1. Broken ionizing wire. 
2. Large particles wedged between cell plates. 
3. Cells washed recently and are still wet. 
4. Cell end plate insulator is dirty or damaged. 
5. Cell plate(s) are bent. 
 
1. Remove wire or wire fragments. Replace. 
2. Shake large particles out or wash cell. 
3. Allow cells to dry completely. 
4. Clean or replace end plate insulator. 
5. Straighten plates with pliers. 
Defective performance indicator light.
Determine whether high voltage is present by testing power board. If 
voltage is present, replace indicator light. 
Defective power board.
Adjust high voltage potentiometer on power board counter-clockwise. If 
high voltage is not present, replace power board. 
Air Proving Switch (APS) sensor is burnt out.
Remove power box lid and blow lightly for 10 seconds on APS sensor 
at bottom of power box. If light does not come on, replace APS. 
Air Proving Switch is not getting enough air 
across the sensor. 
Check that sensor is located in the plastic bushing at the front of the 
power box. 
Check that the return duct is installed flush to the top and front edge of 
the Air Cleaner duct opening. 
Ensure there is a minimum of 360 CFM of air to the air cleaner. 
Off board 24V transformer is not working.
Verify output of transformer. Replace if necessary.
Defective power switch.
Verify output of switch. Replace if necessary.
Power light is OFF and 
performance indicator 
light is ON. 
Defective power switch light.
Replace power switch.
Cell makes loud hissing 
noise or causes radio 
interference. 
Internal cell contacts are not touching plates.
Test contacts and repair.
Copper contacts on high voltage tray not making 
good connection on cell. 
With needle-nose pliers, gently pull contacts down or replace contacts.
Cells arcing excessively 
(power light and per-
formance indicator light 
ON or flashing).  
Cells wet from washing.
Allow cells to dry completely.
Particles lodged in cell or broken ionizing wire.
Wash cell. Shake particle out of cell. Replace wire, if necessary.
Ducts were not cleaned prior to installation of air 
cleaner. 
Clean ducts.
Cell plates are bent.
Remove cells and adjust to original spacing using needle-nose pliers.
Dirty cells.
Wash cells and clean ionizing wires.
Voltage is too high.
Adjust high voltage potentiometer on power board clockwise.
High voltage wires are on wrong copper contact. Reposition high voltage wires on proper contact (see Fig. 5).
Internal contact on cell out of alignment.
Realign cell contact.
Humidifier (if installed) is leaking water on air 
cleaner. 
Repair humidifier. If possible, move humidifier to different location.
Cells arcing excessively 
at top of cell near cop-
per contacts (power 
light and performance 
indicator light ON). 
Copper contact on high voltage contact board 
are broken or bent upward. 
If possible, pull down contacts with needle-nose pliers or remove power 
box and replace contacts. 
Cells not collecting dirt 
(power light and per-
formance indicator light 
ON). 
Arrow on cells not pointing towards fan blower.
Reposition cell handle and place cell in properly.
System fan is on “Automatic” setting (air cleaner 
not on continuously) 
Use “Fan On” system fan setting for continuous fan operation.
Not enough voltage on collecting cells.
Adjust high voltage potentiometer counter-clockwise on power board.
Ozone odor
Cell plates are bent.
Straighten with needle-nose pliers.
Loose or broken ionizing wire.
Replace wires.
Dirty cells.
Wash cells and clean ionizing wires.
Air Cleaner is on when system fan is not run-
ning. Air cleaner wired incorrectly or air proving 
switch is defective. 
Check operation and wiring of air switch and air cleaner.
Incoming voltage is higher than 120V.
Adjust high voltage potentiometer clockwise on power board.
Air Cleaner is oversized for house. Not enough 
airflow to cover surface area of cells. 
Use correct size of Air Cleaner.
Home is extremely dry.
Repair or install central humidifier.
Clean lint dust too heavy to remain airborne.
Keep fan running continuously. Ensure that return air grilles are not 
obstructed. 
White dust
Gaps around Air Cleaner.
Seal or use duct tape around Air Cleaner cabinet.
Table 4
— TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
