An AC circuit breaker may trip for a variety of reasons. These include a dirty condenser coil, a bad circuit breaker, insufficient refrigerant, and a frozen evaporator coil. Learn how to fix these issues and get your AC running again.
Dirty condenser coils
Your AC may be tripping the breaker because it is overheating, or it may be due to a dirty condenser coil. Dirt and debris can collect on this coil because it is exposed to the elements. Therefore, cleaning the coil regularly is essential.
Dirty condenser coils affect the efficiency of the air conditioner by absorbing and dispersing heat. As a result, the AC has to work harder to keep the house cool. When you notice that the air conditioner is working harder than it should call an HVAC professional to inspect it. If the coils are dirty, a technician can clean them for you and improve the efficiency of the unit.
Bad circuit breaker
If your air conditioner is constantly tripping the breaker during the summer, you may want to have it checked out. This happens when the air conditioner is consuming more power than the circuit breaker is rated for. This can be especially true for heavy-duty models, which can draw more than the breaker is able to handle. This can lead to a short circuit.
One of the most common causes for an AC unit tripping the breaker is an electrical short. In this scenario, the “hot” and “neutral” wires come in contact, allowing more electricity to flow than is safe. Eventually, this leads to overheated wires, which can start a fire. The best way to prevent this from happening is to make sure that your AC circuit breaker trips before the problem worsen.
Insufficient refrigerant
When it comes to AC problems, a lack of refrigerant can be a major cause. Low refrigerant levels will force the AC to run longer and harder to cool the home. If this occurs, the unit will overheat and eventually trip the circuit breaker. Fortunately, there are some ways to fix the issue.
Another common cause of AC trouble is dirty air filters. Dirty filters prevent the AC from dispersing hot air properly, which can cause it to overwork itself and trip the breaker. The best solution is to have a professional AC technician inspect the unit and replace faulty parts.
Frozen evaporator coils
If your AC keeps tripping the breaker, frozen evaporator coils could be the culprit. In humid climates, this problem is particularly severe. In such climates, the evaporator coils work more than they should to remove humidity from the air. As the humidity leaves the coil, it forms condensation. The condensate is then drained away from your home through the drainpipe. However, when the drainpipes are clogged, the water top backs up and freezes, further aggravating the problem. To prevent this problem, thawing the coils with a hair dryer can help.
There are various reasons that cause evaporator coils to freeze. The first is that the air temperature outside is too low. This causes the cooling system to work overtime, making the coil freeze. Another possible reason for frozen evaporator coils is that the air is oversaturated. Excess moisture in the air can be caused by humid weather, rains, and humidifiers.
Frozen motors
There are a few things you can do to stop frozen motors from tripping your AC circuit breaker. First, you should clean the fan blades. Dirty fans will cause the AC motor to use more energy and trip the breaker more often. If you see that this problem is occurring frequently, it might be time to have the motor replaced.
A dirty evaporator coil will pick up moisture and freeze at 32F (0C), which causes a cascading effect in the AC system. You should also check the indoor unit coil and replace it regularly. If it’s still dirty, call a professional to do the job. Also, do not try to clean the evaporator coil by yourself, as you may damage the motor.
Dirty air filters
If your air filter is clogged, you may be experiencing frequent circuit breaker trips. This is because dirty filters will restrict air flow, which will cause the fan to work harder than it should and draw too much electrical current. Replacing your air filter is an easy way to resolve the problem.
Dirty air filters can also affect your outside unit, which can cause the breaker to trip if it can’t disperse heat well. A dirty air filter can also cause the compressor to work too hard, causing it to consume more electricity. If the fan is working extra hard, it may start to trip the breaker, especially if it’s hot outside.
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