Air conditioners are one of the most common appliances found in Fenton, MO, households. But they’re also most likely to cause a power outage. If your air conditioner trips your breaker, it’s important to discover why to prevent it from happening again. The following are some of the most common reasons an AC system will trip a breaker.
Undersized or Faulty Breaker
Breaker size must match the load required by the AC unit. An undersized breaker will trip when the AC unit starts since the load will be more than the breaker can handle. A faulty breaker can also cause the AC unit to trip.
Broken Coil Fan
Air conditioning systems have fans that circulate cool air through the coils. Sometimes, coils in the fan can break, causing the fan to malfunction. A broken fan causes the coils to overheat and the AC unit to trip the breaker.
Dirty Air Filter
Air filters prevent dirt and dust from entering the AC unit. If the air filter is dirty, it can restrict airflow and cause the AC unit to overheat. Overheating systems are prone to tripping breakers because they place an excessive load on the electrical system.
Thermostat Issues
Thermostats can cause an AC unit to trip breakers when they’re not working properly. If the thermostat is set too low, the AC unit will run for longer periods and strain the electrical system. A faulty thermostat can also cause the AC unit to trip breakers.
Loose Wiring
All electrical connections must be tight and correctly done. If any of the wires are loose, it can cause a short circuit and trip the breakers. Always use qualified electricians to avoid loose wiring or shoddy work.
If you’re having trouble with your AC unit, it’s important to find out what’s causing the problem to prevent it from happening again. Contact Fresh Air Heating & Cooling if you want to schedule maintenance for your AC system. Our service technicians will diagnose and fix any problem you may have to avoid future breaker tripping.
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