QA

Quick Answer: Why Is My Air Conditioner Tripping The Circuit Breaker

Typically, your AC breaker trips when there’s a short circuit, the AC is overworking or a part is bad or malfunctioning. If you continue to run your AC, you could permanently damage the air conditioner. Get a professional AC repair tech out as soon as you can.

How do I stop my AC from tripping the breaker?

AC circuit breaker tripping: WHAT TO DO FIRST Turn the air conditioning system OFF at the thermostat(s). At your electrical panel, turn the AC circuit breaker switch to the ON position. IMPORTANT: wait 30 minutes with the air conditioner OFF. After 30 minutes, set your air conditioner back to COOL.

Why is my AC tripping the breaker?

Well, an air conditioner usually trips the breaker because it’s pulling in more amps than the breaker is rated for. That is, if you have a 20-amp breaker and the AC pulls 30 amps, the breaker trips. That’s why breakers trip: to protect you from overcurrents that can damage equipment and cause fires (yikes).

How do you reset an air conditioner breaker?

Just look for a switch that is “tripped,” meaning that’s it’s moved to the neutral position. To reset the circuit breaker, turn it to the “off” position (right), then the “on” position (left). Now, wait 30 minutes. During this time, the internal breaker in your air conditioner will reset.

How much does an AC capacitor cost?

The average HVAC capacitor cost is around $170. Prices generally range between $120 and $250, including professional installation. Branded units are more expensive, costing upwards of $400 or more. The price you pay depends on the brand, model, voltage and the labor required for installation.

Why does my outside AC unit keep shutting off?

If you haven’t had regular AC maintenance, the short cycling could be caused by dirty condenser coils. These coils are in the outside unit of your air conditioner and are responsible for dissipating the heat from your home to the outside air. And as your air conditioner struggles, it can overheat and shut off.

Do all AC units have a reset button?

Find the button. Most air conditioning units are equipped with a reset button. These buttons tend to be red and quite small. If you’re having a tough time finding it, consult your owner’s manual. (If you can’t find it, most are published online for quick reference).

Can a power surge damage your air conditioner?

A power surge on your modern AC could be devastating and result in a breakdown of the system. Many times, a spike in electricity could cause hidden problems inside your air conditioner. These are problems that you may not notice for months, such as premature wear and tear on vital internal components.

Can I replace my own AC capacitor?

Answer: Yes and yes. It could be a capacitor, or it could be the compressor. Since capacitors are cheap it may be worth a try to see for yourself if that’s it, if not you will need a technician. There is really no “DIY” fix when it comes to repairing or replacing a capacitor.

How long should an air conditioner capacitor last?

Like with everything in life, a capacitor has a lifespan as well. In general, you can expect most AC capacitors to last about 20 years. This is a fairly long lifespan, which is why most heating and AC repair companies will take a look at the capacitor last.

How often should I replace my AC capacitor?

Capacitors are one of the most common parts that need to be replaced on residential air conditioning systems. They typically provide several years of service, but you’ll need to replace them at least once if you keep the same air conditioner for more than ten years. Your system might have one or more capacitors.

Why is my AC cycling on and off?

Low Refrigerant Another common cause of short cycling is low levels of refrigerant. Like a clogged air filter, low refrigerant can produce excess stress on your AC system and make it work harder. And it also causes overheating, which could lead to the frequent turning on and off.

Why does my AC compressor go out after a few minutes?

If there’s something wrong with your air conditioner that makes it shut off after just 15 minutes, it’s usually one of these issues: Unit is overheating: This often means there is simply a buildup of grime inside the compressor unit, but it could also mean there’s a refrigerant leak or another problem.

Why does my AC turn on and off every few seconds?

If your air conditioner keeps turning on and off your AC system is most likely short cycling. An AC system may turn on and off repeatedly due to dirty, broken, or failing parts or for various other mechanical or electrical reasons. It also causes extra wear and tear on the mechanisms that work to turn on your AC.

Where is the reset button on outside AC unit?

Look for it first around on the exterior of your machine, especially along the bottom edge near the ground. An AC’s reset button is typically red and visible, so it should be easy to spot. If you don’t see a reset button on the outside, it could be located inside the unit behind the service panel.

Is there a breaker on the outside AC unit?

Your air conditioning unit has two breakers; one operates the outside unit while the other operates the inside. If the breakers appear tripped, turn the breakers off and then back on to reset them.

Why does the reset button on my air conditioner keep popping out when I plug it in?

Disturbances in your electrical current can trip (Reset button will pop out) the power supply cord. Electrical overloading, overheating, cord pinching or aging can trip (Reset button will pop out) the power supply cord. -After correcting the problem, press and release.

Why is my AC blowing warm air in my house?

One of the most common causes for AC blowing warm air is low refrigerant. A refrigerant is essential to maintain your unit’s best performance. If your AC is not cooling, it may be because the refrigerant is leaking and whatever is left is not enough to effectively keep your home cool.