Air conditioners are meant to keep you comfortable in the hot and humid St. Louis summers. But imagine the horror of your AC stopping suddenly leaving you sweating and flushed, unable to figure out what went wrong. We certainly hope you do not have to go through this struggle, but your AC tripping circuit breaker is not uncommon. The real challenge is identifying why it happens.
If it is a one-time incident, there is nothing much to worry about. You can simply reset the circuit breaker and continue to enjoy the cool comfort. But if your AC tripping the circuit breaker is a recurring problem with your HVAC system, there could be an underlying problem that needs repairing.
Call a professional HVAC contractor to get it fixed. If you are looking for reliable heating and air conditioning repairs and maintenance in the St. Louis area, call us at 314-993-1110.
Reasons Behind Your AC Tripping the Breaker
There are some common problems that result in AC tripping circuit breakers. So if you are experiencing problems, it would be a good idea to check if your HVAC unit is having any of these issues.
- A short circuit in the motors: A common reason for AC tripping circuit breakers is a short circuit. Short circuits most often happen in the motors that run the blower fans and compressor. If the motor overheats, the insulation in the electrical wiring around it could melt resulting in a short circuit. In this case, the circuit breaker trips to prevent the risk of a fire. If that is the problem with your HVAC, you will need to contact the HVAC repair contractors to get the shorted-out motor replaced.
- Dirt or grime on the outdoor condenser coils: Another probable reason for the AC tripping circuit breaker could be dirty condenser coils. Condenser coils, being in the outdoor unit, can gather dust, dirt, and grime over the year. If these coils are not cleaned occasionally, the layer of dirt will not let the heat from the refrigerant to dissipate well enough. As a result, the air conditioner has to work harder and if the system is overloaded, it could result in the AC tripping circuit breaker. Regular air conditioner servicing and maintenance can ensure that the coils remain clean and free to dissipate heat efficiently.
- A hard-starting compressor: Lastly, one of the most likely reasons for an AC tripping circuit the breaker could be a hard-starting compressor. This is when the compressor takes too much effort (or power) to start at the beginning of the cooling cycle of the refrigerant. This can again overload the system and cause the circuit breakers to trip. This can also be corrected by professional HVAC technicians who have a hard-start kit that supplies the extra power needed to start the compressor.
Other Common Reasons for Overload and Your AC Tripping the Circuit Breaker
It must be clear by now that the circuit breaker mostly trips when the system is overloaded. There are several other reasons that could cause this as well. Some of the common reasons are:
- Broken condenser coil fan causing heat to be retained in the coils
- Not enough refrigerant in the system causing the HVAC unit to work harder
- Dirty air filters restricting the flow of air, increasing the effort required to circulate the air
- Damaged compressor
Get Your HVAC Unit Checked By Experienced Professionals to Avoid the AC Tripping the Circuit Breaker
The best way to avoid your AC tripping the circuit breaker frequently, is by getting it checked and maintained regularly. Galmiche & Sons has been in the HVAC maintenance and repairs industry for over 70 years. Our HVAC experts can pinpoint the problem and solve it for you in a jiffy. Call our St. Louis heating & air conditioning experts today.
