How To Wire An Inline Duct Fan into A Furnace Blower

You can connect an Inline Duct Fan to your furnace blower to help move more air, but you need to follow the right wiring steps. Mistakes like bad connections or wrong installation can cause electrical fires, shocks, or hurt your furnace. Always make sure the fan works only when your blower is on.

Key Takeaways

• Always use a relay when wiring your Inline Duct Fan. This makes sure the fan works only when the furnace blower is on. It helps stop electrical problems.

• Wear safety gear like insulated gloves and safety glasses. This keeps you safe from possible electrical dangers.

• Check local building codes before you start your project. Following these rules keeps your home safe. It also makes sure your work is covered by insurance.

Tools and Preparation

Get ready before you wire your Inline Duct Fan into a furnace blower. You need the right tools and supplies. Good planning keeps you safe and helps you follow HVAC rules.

Tools Needed

You will need different tools for this job.

Have these tools ready to use:

• Wire strippers

• Flat and Phillips screwdrivers

• Voltage tester

• Drill with drill bits

• Electrical tape

• Needle-nose pliers

Materials List

Get all your materials before you start. You will need:

• Qinxin Inline Duct Fan or another brand

• Relay (24V/110V, right for your fan)

• Electrical wire for furnace use

• Junction box (metal or plastic, fixed in place)

• Wire nuts

• Mounting hardware

Tip: Always connect the fan to the motor control on the air handler. This makes sure the fan works only when the blower is running. Do not connect to variable speed motors unless the maker says it is okay. Make sure your power source follows code.

Safety Gear

Wear safety gear to keep yourself safe. You should use:

• Insulated gloves

• Safety glasses

• Dust mask

• Work boots

Look for dangers in your work area before you begin. Turn off the power at the breaker box. Never touch live wires.

Inline Duct Fan Wiring

Locate Blower Wires

Start by finding the wires that control your furnace blower. Look inside the furnace control panel. You will see several colored wires. The green wire, marked as 'G', usually controls the blower fan. Use a voltage tester to make sure the power is off before you touch any wires. You need to identify the switched hot and neutral wires. These wires will connect to the relay and help control when your Inline Duct Fan turns on.

Install Relay

You need a relay to make sure your Inline Duct Fan only runs when the furnace blower is on. Do not connect the fan directly to the blower wires. Direct connections can cause serious problems:

1. Electrical shocks, overheating, or fire risks from system overloads.

2. Damage to the blower fan motor or other parts.

3. Short circuits and blown fuses.

4. Lower system efficiency and poor airflow.

5. Electrical overload that can drain the battery or cause the fan to run nonstop.

A relay acts like a switch. It uses the 'G' signal from your thermostat to turn the Inline Duct Fan on and off. Most people use a solid state relay or a relay in a box (RIB) for this job. These relays work well and are easy to install.

Choose a relay that matches your fan’s voltage and amperage. For example, a Qinxin relay rated for 5 Amps at 125VAC can handle most Inline Duct Fan setups. Always check the label on your fan and relay.

• Relays have AC and DC ratings.

• A 5 Amp relay at 250 Volts AC can switch 1,250 AC Watts.

• For fans, pick a relay that can handle 2-3 times the starting amperage.

Connections

All wiring connections must go inside a permanently attached junction box. This keeps the wires safe and meets code. Use wire nuts to join wires and cover them with electrical tape.

Follow these steps:

1. Mount the relay near the furnace blower, inside a junction box.

2. Connect the 'G' wire from the furnace control board to the relay coil input.

3. Connect the neutral wire to the relay coil as shown in the relay instructions.

4. Run power from the circuit breaker to the relay’s load side.

5. Connect the Inline Duct Fan’s hot and neutral wires to the relay’s output terminals.

6. Use the right wire gauge for safety.

Note: Qinxin Inline Duct Fan models work well with 14 AWG or 12 AWG wire for most home systems.

Inline Duct Fan Testing

After you finish wiring, test your Inline Duct Fan to make sure it works with the furnace blower. Turn the power back on at the breaker. Set your thermostat to 'Auto' and raise the temperature. The blower and Inline Duct Fan should start together.

If the fan does not turn on, follow these steps:

1. Check the thermostat. Make sure it is set to 'Auto', not 'On'.

2. Inspect the blower door. It must be closed for the furnace to work.

3. Examine the circuit breaker. Reset it if needed.

4. Check for blocked vents. Clear any obstructions.

5. Inspect the filter. Replace it if dirty.

6. If the fan still does not work, call a local HVAC technician.

Safety and Code

Electrical Safety

Always think about safety when working with electricity. Turn off the power at the breaker before touching wires. Wear insulated gloves and safety glasses to stay safe. Do not work by yourself. If you are not sure, stop and get help. After wiring your Inline Duct Fan, check every wire connection. Make sure all wires are tight in the junction box. Test the system to see if it works right.

Code Compliance

Local building codes are rules that keep your home safe. You must follow these rules when you install or wire anything. If you skip steps or use wrong parts, you could get fined or lose insurance. Many insurance companies want a licensed pro to do electrical work. If you do it yourself and there is a problem, insurance might not pay for damage.

When you finish, check your work. Use this table to help you remember what to check:

When to Call a Pro

Call a professional if you are not sure what to do. A licensed technician knows how to wire a Qinxin Inline Duct Fan safely. They also make sure your system follows all codes. This keeps your home safe and helps protect your insurance.

To safely wire your Qinxin inline duct fan, do these things: First, make sure it works with your furnace blower. Next, check how much electricity it needs. Always use a relay and put all wires in a junction box. Test everything when you finish. If you are not sure, ask a professional for help.

FAQ

Can you wire an inline duct fan to run all the time?

You should not wire the fan to run nonstop. This can waste energy and wear out the fan. Always use a relay for control.

What size wire do you need for a Qinxin Inline Duct Fan?

Most Qinxin Inline Duct Fans work well with 14 AWG or 12 AWG copper wire. Always check your fan’s label for the correct size.

Do you need a relay for every inline duct fan?

Yes, you need a relay for each fan. This keeps each fan working only when the furnace blower runs. It also helps protect your system.