Why Does My AC Circuit Breaker Keep Tripping?

Imagine trying to relax on a hot summer day, only to have your AC circuit breaker repeatedly trip, causing both frustration and inconvenience. HVAC.com discusses common reasons why your AC circuit breaker keeps tripping and provides helpful solutions, ensuring your home remains cool and comfortable throughout the summer.

What Does an AC Circuit Breaker Do?

An AC circuit breaker is a safety device that protects both the air conditioner and your home’s electrical system. It automatically shuts off the power to the air conditioner if it detects an overload or short circuit to prevent electrical damage or fires. Typically, AC units have dedicated circuits to ensure they have enough electrical capacity without overloading other appliances on the same circuit.

Common Reasons Your Air Conditioner Circuit Breaker Trips

Dirty or Clogged Air Filter

Start by checking the air filter. A clogged air filter can cause several issues, from low airflow to overheating, and, yes, a tripped circuit breaker. Air filters covered in dirt and debris restrict airflow into the system, causing the blower to work harder and longer. This can lead to increased electricity draw, causing the circuit breaker to trip frequently.

Solution: Replace your dirty air filter with a new one.

Low Refrigerant Levels

Your air conditioner requires a precise amount of refrigerant to effectively cool your home by absorbing heat and releasing it outside. If there’s a leak and the refrigerant level drops too low, your compressor will strain, drawing more electricity and possibly causing your AC circuit breaker to trip.

Solution: Contact an HVAC technician to repair the cause of the leak and recharge the refrigerant.

Dirty Condenser Coil

The condenser coil, located in the outdoor AC unit, releases the heat that it absorbs from inside your home to the outside. If the coil becomes covered in dirt due to lack of maintenance or other issues, it can struggle to perform efficiently, potentially drawing more current and causing the circuit breaker to trip.

Solution: Have regular maintenance performed on your air conditioner. During an annual AC tune-up, a technician will inspect and clean the coil.

Issues with the Circuit Breaker

Frequent tripping can sometimes be caused by issues with the circuit breaker itself, such as wear due to age or loose wiring connections.

Solution: In such cases, a technician can either tighten the connections of the breaker or replace it with a new one.

Electrical Overload Due to High Demand

During extremely hot weather, your air conditioner may draw more current to keep up, exceeding the circuit’s capacity and causing it to trip to prevent overheating and potentially starting a fire.

Solution: Raise the temperature on your thermostat a couple of degrees to see if it eliminates the problem.

Faulty Capacitor

A faulty capacitor or a defective fan motor can cause excessive power consumption which trips the circuit breaker.

Solution: Contact an HVAC contractor to replace the faulty capacitor or repair the defective fan motor to restore proper operation.

Frozen Evaporator Coil

If the evaporator coil freezes due to restricted airflow or low refrigerant levels, your AC system may draw too much power and trip the breaker.

Solution: If your evaporator coil freezes, turn off the air conditioner to let it thaw. You can use a hairdryer to speed up the process; just don’t use a sharp object to chip away at the ice, as that can damage the coil. Regular maintenance can help prevent the coil from freezing.

Electrical Faults

Electrical faults such as loose connections, damaged wiring, or short circuits in the AC unit or electrical panel can cause intermittent circuit breaker trips.

Solution: Regular maintenance and prompt repairs by a qualified electrician or HVAC technician can address these issues.

Compressor Issues

Problems with the AC compressor, such as overheating due to age, wear, or mechanical failure, can cause the circuit breaker to trip.

Solution: Contact an HVAC contractor to inspect the system and make the appropriate repair.

What to Do If Your AC Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping?

If your AC circuit breaker keeps tripping, start by checking if it’s a one-time occurrence. Sometimes, a temporary power surge or an isolated issue may cause the breaker to trip, and resetting it once may resolve the problem.

However, if the breaker continues to trip frequently, begin by inspecting the air filter to ensure it’s clean and not restricting airflow, which can lead to overheating. Additionally, check for any visible signs of damage or wear on the AC unit’s wiring or components. If you’re comfortable, clean the condenser coils and ensure the area around the outdoor unit is clear of debris.

If these steps don’t fix the issue, contact a certified HVAC technician. They can perform a thorough inspection, diagnose the root cause and make the necessary repairs to prevent your air conditioner from tripping the circuit breaker.