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How to check an ac compressor
Turn off the power leading to your air conditioning unit.
It's important that your power is off so that you don't shock yourself when checking the compressor. Many central air units will have a power shutoff switch on the wall next to the unit.
Find the switch and switch it to the off position. If there is no switch, find the circuit breaker that controls the power to the area of the house where the ac unit is.