Why does my AC unit keep tripping the breaker?

Motor has Shorted The electric motors in your air conditioner can run for hours, and when they are left running for too long, the wire insulation can break down leading to an electrical short. More electricity passes through than the wires can handle, which then trips the breakers.

Where is the breaker for my central air unit?

The circuit breaker box (a grey metallic box) is usually located in these areas: garage, basement, closets, laundry room or an exterior part of your home. Just look for a switch that is “tripped,” meaning that’s it’s moved to the neutral position.

Will a bad AC capacitor trip the breaker?

Bad Capacitor A weak or defective capacitor could trigger a tripped breaker if the compressor doesn’t receive adequate starting power. A failing start capacitor is a component that can be easily diagnosed and replaced by contacting your local HVAC contractor.

Do AC units have breakers?

Your air conditioning unit has two breakers; one operates the outside unit while the other operates the inside. If the breakers appear tripped, turn the breakers off and then back on to reset them.

How many amps does a central air conditioner draw?

The central air conditioning is powered by 230 volts. The central air units are hard-wired into the electrical box. A 2-ton central air unit can draw up to 20 Amps.

What to do if your air conditioner is Tripping the circuit breaker?

Turn the air conditioning system OFF at the thermostat (s). At your electrical panel, turn the AC circuit breaker switch to the ON position. IMPORTANT: wait 30 minutes with the air conditioner OFF. Be sure that the thermostat remains OFF so that your air conditioner’s internal circuit breaker can reset.

What is the purpose of a circuit breaker tripping unit?

The main objective of circuit breaker tripping units and protective functions in general is to detect faults and to selectively isolate faulted parts of the system.

Why do I need an AC circuit breaker?

The AC service company or an electrician? 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 trip every time I Turn on the AC?

Reconnecting the outside safety switch caused the breaker to immediately trip again. Later, we tried turning off the air conditioning in the house, resetting the circuit breaker, and turning the AC back on. The circuit breaker didn’t trip as soon as it was reset, but when the AC was turned back on inside, it immediately tripped as before.