4 Common Reasons Your Air Conditioner's Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping

Every air conditioning system utilizes a circuit breaker, and that's a key part of what keeps the system safe. When a power overload is detected, the circuit breaker will trip, which in turn shuts off the power. This might seem inconvenient, but it protects the system's electrical parts and helps prevent fires.

In many cases, the circuit breaker will trip simply because of a power surge in your local area. This often happens during a thunderstorm. In such cases, you'll only need to reset the breaker. However, you may find the breaker keeps tripping. If so, you shouldn't just keep resetting it. To avoid costly repairs and potential damage, you really need to contact a professional to check the problem out.

Here are just four common reasons it might be happening.

1. Bad Circuit Breaker

While your first thought might be of the air conditioning system, the circuit breaker itself may be at fault. This can happen regardless of the breaker's age due to amp surges or simple wear and tear. You should be especially cautious if your breaker feels hot or emits a smell of burning. Luckily enough, this common cause of a tripping breaker is also one of the easiest and cheapest to solve, so don't delay in contacting a professional.

2. Loose Wiring

Any poor wiring connections within your air conditioner's electric systems can become loose, which will cause the circuit breaker to trip. In some cases, poor wiring can lead to shorts that result in too much power passing through certain wires or other systems. Rewiring is usually essential to prevent further damage.

3. Dirty Parts

While issues with the circuit breaker are often down to an electrical problem, other parts of your air conditioning system can also play a role. If one of them isn't working as it should, it will require more power to operate, which can in turn place enough stress on the system to trip the circuit breaker. This often occurs when other parts become clogged or dirty. For example, a clogged air filter will need to run harder and therefore consume more electricity. If any filters haven't been replaced or any parts look dirty, fixing these issues could stop the breaker from tripping.

4. Motor Issues

Your air conditioner's electric motor is one of its hardest working components, so it's a common culprit when it comes to circuit breaker problems. If the motor runs too harder or too long, interior parts can start to fail. This commonly occurs when the insulation around the wiring starts to break down. The motor can be an expensive replacement, so it's best to have this issue checked as soon as possible.

For more info, contact a company like Fleming & Sons Electrical.

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