Why does my AC keep tripping the breaker?

Why does my AC keep 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).

Can heat cause circuit breakers to trip?

Ambient heat in the air surrounding the breaker can impact the components, too. When outdoor heat causes the strip to flex and hit a contact, the circuit breaker will trip even though there is no excess electricity causing the heat. This could also impact the bimetallic strip and cause circuit breaker tripping.

Will flipping breaker fix my AC?

Your breaker will trip on occasion. If this occurs very infrequently there is really no issue. You flip the breaker back on and things will work normal. If your breaker trips often though, it is time to call a competent air conditioner repair service.

What does a hot breaker mean?

Overloaded circuit Also, if a breaker is hot it may be an indication that the circuit is overloaded and that this overloading condition is causing the breaker to be hot. In either case, an electrician should be consulted.

What would cause a breaker to get hot?

The Most Common Cause of a Circuit Breaker Getting Hot Electrical resistance increases at points of loose connection and that generates heat. This means that your overheated breaker may simply be loose. If the breaker is already seated, the problem may be that the wire connected to it is loose.

Why does my AC blower trip the breaker?

Below are common causes of an air conditioner tripping the breaker! If your AC filter is blocked, the blower has to to work longer and harder to circulate air through the filter which causes more energy usage, which in turn causes the blower to draw more electricity and trip the breaker. What to do: Change the air filter and maintain it regularly.

What to do when your AC breaker trip?

Here are the first steps to take when your AC circuit breaker trips: Turn the air conditioning system OFF at the thermostat(s). At your electrical panel, turn the AC circuit breaker switch to the ON position.

Why do I need an AC circuit breaker?

Here’s the most important thing to know: your AC circuit breaker is a safety switch that protects your equipment from damage by turning off the power when an overload is detected. It also protects your safety since overloaded circuits can result in a fire.

Why does my AC run for hours at a time?

Wires connected to the breaker may be loose or the breaker itself may be bad and needs replacing. This is a relatively inexpensive fix. Solution: Have a tech tighten connections to the AC’s breaker or replace the breaker. Electric motors in your AC can run for hours and hours and can take quite a bit of abuse.