Circuit breakers are a crucial part of your home’s electrical system. They protect the wiring, electrical appliances, and devices, such as your air conditioner, from an electrical overload or a short circuit. Let’s take a closer look at how your air-conditioning circuit breaker works and the issues you may encounter with this safety device.
How Does Your AC Circuit Breaker Work?
The designated breaker for your air conditioner is a safety switch that protects your unit by shutting it off immediately when an electrical overload is detected. The circuit breaker trips and opens to stop the flow of electricity to your AC unit when your unit draws in more power than the breaker is rated for.
Your AC circuit breaker protects your system, since an electrical overload can damage AC equipment. What’s more, the device protects your family because overloaded circuits can start a fire, which is why you have to keep an eye on your circuit breakers.
What Causes Your Air Conditioner to Trip the Circuit Breaker?
Several factors can cause your air conditioner to overwork and draw in too much power that trips the circuit breaker. These include:
- Dirty air filter. A dirty filter blocks airflow, which may make the AC motor overheat and trip the circuit breaker.
- Refrigerant leaks. A drop in the refrigerant levels may make your AC unit work harder trying to cool your home or cause short-cycling leading to a circuit-breaker trip.
- Dirty coils. Dirty coils make it harder for heat transfer to and from your AC refrigerant, leading to your air conditioner working harder than necessary.
- Compressor issues. As your compressor ages, it may have trouble starting up and could pull too much power and trip the breaker.
- Faulty circuit breaker. Sometimes, the breaker itself could be at fault.
Regular AC maintenance helps you avoid most issues that lead to tripped circuit breakers.
If a dirty air filter is the cause of your tripped AC breaker, replacing the filter and resetting the breaker should solve the issue. If the breaker trips after you’ve reset it or you’re unable to reset it correctly, it’s safest to call a professional. If you have a problem with AC circuit breakers or any other air-conditioning issue in the Yuma area, don’t hesitate to contact us at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Company.
