Why Is My A/C Tripping the Breaker?

It is common for air conditioners to trip their breakers from time to time. This can be a nuisance, as it requires resetting the breaker in order to restore power to the unit. Fortunately, most tripped breakers can be easily fixed by identifying and addressing the underlying problem. Understanding what causes an air conditioner to trip its breaker and how to fix it are essential skills for any homeowner.

The most common reasons an air conditioner trips its breaker are dirty condenser coils, refrigerant leaks, and broken or damaged condenser coil fans. These issues can be addressed through cleaning the condenser coils, refilling the refrigerant, and replacing the condenser coil fan respectively. Fortunately, these tasks can usually be completed without professional help, saving homeowners time and money.

Understanding why an air conditioner trips its breaker and how to fix it is important for any homeowner. By following the steps outlined above, homeowners will be able to quickly identify and address any issues with their air conditioner that may cause it to trip its breaker.

Common causes of A/c tripping breakers are dirty condenser coils, refrigerant leaks, and broken/damaged condenser fan. Cleaning, refilling, and replacing can usually be done without professional help.

What Causes a Tripped Breaker?

Air conditioners are complex machines, and when one trips the breaker, it can be difficult to determine the exact cause. Fortunately, there are a few common problems that can lead to an A/C tripping its breaker.

Dirty Condenser Coils

The condenser coils are responsible for releasing heat from the refrigerant. When these coils become dirty, it reduces their ability to effectively dissipate heat and causes the compressor to work harder than normal. This can lead to an increase in current draw that will eventually trip the breaker.

Refrigerant Leak

A refrigerant leak can also cause an A/C to trip its breaker. Refrigerant is necessary for the cooling process, and when it leaks out of the system, it reduces the efficiency of the unit. This can cause the compressor to work harder than normal and draw more current than usual, which will eventually result in a tripped breaker.