9 Reasons Why AC Unit Keeps Tripping Breaker

Maintaining a working air conditioning system is crucial for your family's comfort and health. Since AC units involve complex electrical wiring and mechanisms, there are many ways they can malfunction. Systems that don't receive routine maintenance will likely experience more wear and tear than well-kept systems.

One common problem is that the AC unit keeps tripping the breaker. If your circuit breaker trips too often, it can break your entire HVAC system and require an expensive replacement.

It's crucial to hire an HVAC professional from a Vero Beach heating and air conditioning service when you notice that the air conditioner trips your breaker. Understanding how your air conditioner system might cause a tripped breaker is the best way to help professionals quickly resolve the problem.

The Amount of Time Until Your Circuit Breaker Trips Matters

Depending on what is wrong with your system, your breaker might trip seconds, minutes, or even hours after turning on your air conditioning. Pay attention to this factor to more accurately identify the cause.

The Top 9 Reasons Why AC is Tripping Your Breaker

These are the top nine reasons your AC unit keeps tripping the breaker. Each is either an issue with the circuit breakers or a problem with your air conditioning system. The first three causes are circuit issues, while the following six have to do with your HVAC system.

Faulty, Undersized, or Loose Circuit Breaker (Trips Breaker Immediately)

Circuit breakers serve different power outputs and come in various sizes. If your breakers aren't large enough to handle the wattage necessary to run your air conditioning system, this will cause your breaker to trip immediately.

Similarly, a loose fitted or broken breaker will also be unable to handle the wattage required to run your system. If you notice your breaker tripping immediately after your turn on your air conditioner, call professionals to check the breakers and ensure they can handle your HVAC unit's power needs.

Incorrect or Misplaced AC Wiring (Trips Breaker Immediately)

The wiring within your breaker system distributes the wattage effectively. Most common with newly installed HVAC systems, incorrect wiring might cause a surge of power that overwhelms the wrong breaker. These issues are simple to address and merely require hiring an HVAC professional who understands how to correct the wiring misplacement.

Unsheathed Wires Cause Short Circuiting (Trips Breaker at Any Time Interval)

Short-circuiting is a defense mechanism to protect your circuits from electrical charges beyond their limit. However, wires that aren't adequately insulated might short-circuit more quickly and cause the breaker to trip. This issue is more common with older breaker systems with wire insulation that has worn down throughout years of operation.

Dusty, Rusted, Frozen, or Dirty Condenser Coils (Trips After a Few Hours)

Your outdoor unit's condenser coils are responsible for the cooling functions of your air conditioning system. Improperly working condenser coils can cause various problems for your HVAC system and might require replacing the entire AC unit.

Since your condenser coils cool outdoor air, dirt and rust from nature can quickly accumulate on them. Also, leaking refrigerant might freeze the already dirty breakers, overheating the system. If your system's condenser coils experience this problem, your breaker will trip in only a few hours.

Restricted Airflow From Dirty Filters (Trips Breaker at Any Time Interval)

Dirty air filters are a simple problem to fix. However, if they remain unnoticed or unaddressed for too long, they can easily cause your breakers to trip. Get professionals to replace your filters if you notice restricted airflow, less cooling productivity, or increasingly expensive utility bills.

The Compressor Starts Too Slowly or Not At All (Trips Breaker Immediately)

When the compressor starts too slowly or fails to start, it quickly overheats your system since it cannot compress the refrigerant required for cool air. If you notice warm air blowing during cooling cycles, call an HVAC professional immediately.

Problems with your air conditioner's compressor unit can be complex and expensive to resolve. With almost any compressor issue, you will likely have to consider replacing this mechanism. However, compressor replacements can be so expensive that many homeowners choose to replace their entire HVAC system instead.

Wires Touch Compressor, "Grounding" It (Trips Breaker After a Few Minutes or Several Hours)

Unsheathed wires that touch your unit's casing are a less troublesome problem for your outdoor unit. These wires guide electricity to the ground, overpowering the unit and breaker. This grounding effect requires a professional to check wire insulation and placement, ensuring no wires are too close to your unit's casing.

Leaking or Low Refrigerant Levels (Trips Breaker at Any Time Interval)

Refrigerant is the chemical responsible for cooling the outdoor air that comes into your compressor unit. Without proper refrigerant levels, your system can quickly overheat and stop functioning correctly.

Issues or small leaks in your condenser coils might result from leaking and low refrigerant levels. This problem will display similar symptoms to dirty air filters and might cause warm air to flow through your system on cooling settings. Call a professional to resolve this problem immediately by refilling your refrigerant or patching leaks.

Overheating From Faulty Fan Motor (Trips Breaker After a Few Hours)

It's likely apparent that many breaker tripping issues result from overheating. Since the fan motor in your outdoor unit is responsible for expelling the excess heat generated during the cooling process, a faulty or malfunctioning motor can quickly cause problems for your system.

There are many reasons why a fan could become faulty. Primarily, the motor that powers the fan might not supply enough power. Because the fan can't eliminate the excess heat, overheating will trip your breaker after a few hours.

Resolve AC Unit and HVAC System Issues With Bates Air & Heat LLC

Bates Air and Heat LLC can help when you have issues with your AC unit tripping the breaker. To learn more about why your AC unit keeps tripping the breaker, know the reasons why water is leaking from your AC, or schedule service from our HVAC professionals, call (772) 837-5109 today.