Secondary drain pan – float switch

HVAC systems generate condensation around the evaporator coil, which must be collected and removed. One of the primary functions of an air conditioner is to eliminate condensation from the air, preventing your home from feeling like a tropical jungle. The condensate drain pan captures excess water and humidity removed from the air, ensuring it is properly disposed of outside the home.

Having a secondary drain pan can serve as a valuable indicator of an overfilled primary pan and help prevent potential issues arising from a clogged drain line. If you require a new secondary condensate drain pan, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Without this pan, the risk of water damage increases significantly.

AC codes mandate float switches on air conditioners. In a split system, two float switches can be installed above the ceiling: one integrated into the main drain of the air handler and the other in the auxiliary emergency drain pan. This setup provides redundancy, ensuring safety in case of a primary device failure.

For instance, if the main drain line becomes obstructed, causing the drain pan to overflow, the float switch activates, shutting down the air conditioner. This safety mechanism prevents water damage to floors, ceilings, or merchandise.