When your air conditioning system causes the circuit breaker to “trip” repeatedly, it is very tempting to push the switch and continue. However, when the breaker continues to trip, it is normally because there is a problem. Every once in a while the AC breaker trips, but if your AC Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping frequently, the occurrences should not be disregarded.
If you understand why your AC Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping, you’ll know when to call for HVAC services such as Comfort Monster Heating & Air and when it’s a maintenance problem you can handle yourself.
What causes an AC circuit breaker to keep tripping?
When the electrical current in a circuit gets way beyond its limits, the high current causes the circuit breaker to open and break the circuit. Air conditioners take a lot of electricity, especially when the compressor runs.
Multiple problems can lead to exceeding the amount of safe current that the circuit can handle:
- Wires or circuits damaged or faulty
- Restricted airflow
- Overheating components
- Bad compressor or motor
- Capacitor problems with the AC capacitor
Another possibility could be that there is an issue with the circuit breaker, although even when the circuit breaker is replaced, the underlying cause of an AC Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping issue might not be solved.
What are the most common issues behind a tripping AC breaker?
Putting a new and clean filter instead of the old one might be able to help you increase the energy efficiency of your air conditioner by 5%-15%. With the presence of a clogged filter, the airflow gets restricted, and as a result, the AC will have to work very hard to cool. At times, people are able to prevent such problems by replacing their filters.
Other possible factors are:
- Low refrigerant levels
- A failing compressor
- A faulty blower motor
- A damaged capacitor
- Partially obstructed duct or airflow
- The electrical circuit is undersized and/or damaged
If there is any problem with the refrigerator, too much strain may result.
Why does the AC breaker trip after the system has been running for some time?
The system may be overheating during operation. When a filter is clogged, the condenser coil is dirty, airflow is restricted, or the motor stops, temperatures will gradually increase.
A delayed trip may be due to any of the following:
- Overheating compressor components
- Dirty condenser coils
- Restricted airflow
- Refrigerant-related problems
In such cases, repeatedly resetting the breaker isn’t the real concern with an AC Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping situation — the risk is that it may result in the destruction of costly components if it’s not a normal condition.
Why does the breaker trip immediately when you turn the AC back on?
The tripping could have been caused by either AC electrical problems or by poorly designed motors. There is no need to continue switching the breaker on and off.
Electrical problems that can cause an immediate trip may include:
- Short circuits
- Ground faults
- Failed capacitors
- Damaged wiring
- A seized compressor
- A malfunctioning motor
Owners should avoid this, as AC electrical problems can result in hazards such as fires and shocks, and therefore should not try to fix the AC wiring themselves at home.
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What should you do if your AC circuit breaker keeps tripping?
If you experience a tripping AC breaker, turn off the AC and don’t reset it over and over; leave it off.
Some simple checks can be done safely, including:
- When a dirty disposable filter is installed, it should be replaced.
- Looking for obvious debris around the outdoor condenser
- Checking the clearances of the outdoor unit,
- Recording if the breaker trips at start-up or after a period of operation.
Services like those from Comfort Monster can even allow property owners to delve deeper into an ongoing problem with their AC unit rather than having to reset the electrical breaker every time it trips.
How do HVAC technicians find the cause of a tripping AC breaker?
The first step in an HVAC technician’s procedures is to review the electrical components and the operating conditions of the system.
They may inspect:
- Demonstrate knowledge of wiring and electrical connections.
- The circuit breaker
- Capacitors
- Motors
- The compressor
- The condenser coil
- Airflow and filters
- Also, check and adjust refrigerant levels and system pressures.
Electrical current can also be measured during the AC’s normal operation to find out if a component is being used more strongly than it needs to be. They can take a look inside the condenser coil, checking the airflow, filter, refrigerant system, and more, depending on the symptoms.
In conclusion
When your AC Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping, it’s a warning not to be taken lightly — the cause could range from a dirty filter to an A/C compressor failure to faulty electrical wiring. Do not keep turning on and off your A/C or resetting the circuit breaker, particularly when the circuit breaker keeps tripping immediately after you turn it on. While some reasons are preventable through routine household maintenance, others require professional diagnosis.
