What Causes Your Home’s Air Conditioner to Trip the Circuit Breaker?
You can’t use your air conditioning because the breaker is tripping constantly. Circuit breakers act as safety mechanisms to protect your home from electrical overload and potential fires. If the A/C is tripping the circuit breaker every time you turn it on, it’s a sign of a serious underlying problem.
Wiring and Breaker Issues
Problems with your wiring could be causing the breaker to trip. The constant heating and cooling that an electrical circuit goes through can cause the wires to expand and contract. Over time, this can loosen the circuit’s wire connections. An electrician should check this problem as soon as possible.
A bad breaker might also be the culprit. Breakers can last a long time, but they will fail occasionally. If the breaker is hot to the touch, emits a burning smell, or has burnt or frayed wires, have a licensed electrician look at it immediately.
The A/C Is Drawing More Amps Than Normal
The circuit that powers your air conditioner is rated for a certain number of amps. If the air conditioning system starts drawing more amps than it’s rated for, this will cause the breaker to trip. There are a few reasons why this could be happening.
A dirty air filter may be the culprit. A clogged filter can cause the entire cooling system to work harder, drawing more amps. Try changing the air filter and see if that does the trick. If it doesn’t, you have more serious issues.
A leak in the refrigerant line, a malfunction with the condenser fan, a bad capacitor, or a component that’s shorting out may also be to blame. All of these are areas that should be looked at by a licensed HVAC specialist.
If your A/C is tripping the circuit breaker constantly, check Nicholson’s air conditioning repair solutions or give us a call at 828-697-2638.