Sound-based motor diagnostics for a condensing unit

A method of diagnosing a motor of a condensing unit, comprising:

• determining that there is a demand to operate a fan disposed within the condensing unit;
• receiving a first audio signal from a sound sensor associated with the condensing unit;
• determining an audio signature of the received first audio signal;
• determining that the motor is not in a first mode of operation based on the determined audio signature;
• determining whether a second audio signal is received from the sound sensor;
• in response to determining that the sound sensor received the second audio signal, determining a fault type based on the determination of the audio signature present within the first audio signal;
• and
• outputting a recommendation based on the determined fault type.

An analysis device, comprising:

• a memory operable to store an audio signature library comprising a plurality of audio signatures, wherein:
• each audio signature identifies one or more attributes for a portion of an audio signal;
• and
• each audio signature is associated with one or more fault types for one or more of a motor, a fan, or mounting hardware associated with a condensing unit;
• and
• a processor operably coupled to the memory, configured to:
• determine that there is a demand to operate the fan disposed within the condensing unit;
• receive a first audio signal from a sound sensor associated with the condensing unit;
• determine an audio signature of the received first audio signal;
• determine that the motor is not in a first mode of operation based on the determined audio signature;
• determine whether a second audio signal is received from the sound sensor;
• in response to determining that the sound sensor received the second audio signal, determine the fault type based on the determination of the audio signature present within the first audio signal;
• and
• output a recommendation based on the determined fault type.