This is a Carrier system in my family's house -- system is about two years old. It started tripping out the breaker whenever it tried to run. Repairman came and tested the compressor windings. Shorted to ground, 0.6Ω between the start winding end and case ground, 2.0Ω between the run winding end and ground.

Tested it myself as well, so he's not blowing smoke. Compressor is under a parts warranty, but it's still $1000+ for the service call to evac the system, replace, and refill with freon.

What can be done to keep the compressor from frying again, assuming we didn't just get a lemon?
The house power comes from a rural power company that's pretty bad about brownouts, surges, and power quality in general. I know that I can install a whole-house surge-supressor at the breaker panel, but do you all have any suggestions for protecting the compressor against overheating due to undervoltage?

sounds like my problem Carrier too.I'm out in the rural area.Mine the winter bills were $400 a month.My electric heaters stayed on to much.Now it won't air condition.my unit 13 years old last year checked Freon and need a defrost timer.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran