Why Does My AC Keep Tripping the Breaker?

It’s a hot summer day. Your AC comes on and then quickly turns off. Was that the breaker again? How do you make this madness stop?

Circuit breakers are needed to prevent damage from electrical surges and short circuits. When the breaker is repeatedly tripped, it can indicate underlying issues. So, what causes your AC breaker to trip, and how do you stop it from happening? If your AC breaker keeps tripping, understanding why this is occurring can help you find the appropriate solution.

Understanding What an AC Circuit Breaker Is and How It Works

An AC circuit breaker is a safety feature that helps control the amount of electrical current flowing into your air conditioning unit.

Your AC was designed to handle a certain amount of electricity. But sometimes, the unit can draw too much, or power surges may occur, leading to an excessive amount of electrical current entering the system. Too much electricity can cause damage and even start a fire.

Circuit breakers are designed to trip, cutting off the flow of electricity to your AC unit, when they detect a surge or short-circuit.

Where Is My AC Circuit Breaker?

Your AC circuit breaker will be included in the main distribution panel (commonly recognized as a gray metal box) in your garage, basement, or closet. You may also find the panel outside your house instead. Inside the box, locate the breaker switch marked AC or HVAC. If the circuit breaker has tripped, you should see a red or orange indicator that shows which breaker needs to be reset. In most cases, you can switch the flip back to “on” to reset the breaker and restore the flow of electricity.

Keep one thing in mind: If the breaker keeps tripping, don’t keep turning it on. It’s a sign that something is wrong and should be corrected before you try the breaker again. Call an electrician or air conditioning professional for immediate service.

What Causes an AC Circuit Breaker to Trip?

When your circuit breaker trips, it’s protecting you and your home from electrical surges or other problems that could cause electric shock, damage, or fire. Trips can be caused by various factors, ranging from power surges to loose or damaged circuit connections. Take a look at some of the most common reasons AC circuit breakers trip:

Clogged air filter: A dirty air filter can restrict the flow of air, causing the fan to work harder. The AC will draw an extra electrical current from the strain, causing the breaker to trip. The simple fix is to change the air filter.
Dusty condenser coils: Your outdoor AC unit’s condenser coils absorb heat drawn from inside your home and transfer it outside. When the condenser coils in the outdoor unit become too dirty, the dirt prevents the efficient transfer of heat. This causes the AC to draw more electricity to cool your house, resulting in a breaker trip.
Loose circuit breaker connection: Your AC could be functioning properly, but the connection between the unit and the breaker may be the issue. A loose wire or faulty breaker switch could make the breaker trip.
Electrical short: Although the electrical motor in your AC can run strong for hours, if it heats too much too fast, it can melt through the wire insulation and create an electrical short, potentially starting a fire. That is, it would if your breaker didn’t trip. If you suspect your tripping breaker is caused by a heat-induced short in your air conditioner, you need service fast and should not run your AC until it can be serviced and a dangerous short repaired or ruled out.
Worn compressor: The compressor in your AC is responsible for converting low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant into a higher-pressure, higher-temperature form. This way, the warm air that has been absorbed from inside your home can then be properly condensed and released. So, when an AC compressor gets older, it sometimes needs extra juice to complete this conversion process, often resulting in it tripping the breaker. An HVAC expert will need to determine whether repair or replacement is needed.

Related Topic: AC Won’t Kick On? Try These Steps

Spotting Signs of AC-Related Electrical Problems

Electrical problems within your air conditioning unit can be challenging to spot at times. For instance, some symptoms are as subtle as noises when turning on or operating. But others are more obvious.

Here are some common signs that your air conditioning unit may need an electrical tune-up:

Strange noises: If you hear buzzing, clanging, rattling, or whistling noises when your AC kicks on or during operation, your unit may need a tune-up.
Burning smells or odd odors: If you notice burning, smoke, or hot plastic smells, your air conditioning electrical system may require urgent repairs. Give your local HVAC service professional a call immediately for inspection, and don’t run your AC until you verify it’s safe to do so.
Inconsistent temperatures: Weak airflow and inconsistent heating and cooling can be a sign your HVAC unit’s electrical system isn’t working at optimal levels.
Higher utility bills: Increased energy usage—and higher electricity bills—with no other explanation can be a sign of a wiring problem. While bills may increase seasonally during the summer and winter, unexplained increases or substantially higher-than-normal bills can indicate your HVAC unit is pulling more electricity and working harder than it should.
Regularly tripped breakers, or breakers that won’t reset: Finally, one of the most common signs your air conditioner might have an electrical malfunction is if you experienced frequently tripped breakers or breakers that won’t reset. As previously mentioned, tripped breakers indicate a power surge or short circuit within the unit. One isolated incident may not be cause for concern, but if your circuits trip regularly or you can’t get your breaker to reset, call a professional for an inspection.

Simple Troubleshooting Steps Before Calling a Professional

In some cases, your AC circuit breaker may trip even though your air conditioning is functioning correctly. If you’re not sure if it’s an easy fix or a problem for the pros, try these troubleshooting steps first:

Check your AC air filter. Dirty air filters make your HVAC unit work harder, which can lead to drawing too much electricity and a tripped circuit. Check your AC air filters for visible dirt, dust, or blockages, and wash or replace the existing filters before resetting the breaker again.
Give your air conditioning unit a visual inspection. You can also perform a quick visual inspection of your HVAC unit. Don’t try to take it apart, but assess it for damaged wires, corrosion, and dirty condenser coils.
Perform a hard reset. Your AC may need a hard reset to stop tripping the breaker. To perform a hard reset, turn the thermostat off to ensure that its signals don’t interfere with the reset process. Then, switch the AC circuit breaker to “on” in your main distribution panel. Wait a half-hour for the internal breaker to reset in the AC unit, then turn the thermostat back to cool. You should then feel the AC begin to blow cool air. If resetting the unit didn’t solve the issue, it’s likely time for professional HVAC repair and maintenance services.

How Do I Stop My AC From Tripping the Breaker?

No matter what type of air conditioner you have, one of the best ways to keep it from tripping the breaker is by scheduling routine maintenance services with a trained professional.

Your HVAC service professional will inspect the entire unit, clean the filters and coils, and repair any corroded, loose, or faulty wiring. As a result, your unit will experience less strain, leading to lower energy bills and fewer power surges.

Related Topic: How to Clean AC Unit Coils

When to Contact an HVAC Professional

In general, it’s better to be safe than sorry when dealing with potential AC electrical problems. If the troubleshooting problems recommended above didn’t help, your circuit breaker won’t reset, you smell burning odors, or you see smoke, call a professional as soon as possible for emergency repairs or urgent commercial HVAC services. They’ll perform a professional assessment of your unit and provide the next best steps to prevent further damage or fire.

Stay Cool and Safe with Reliable AC Care from Aire Serv

Narrowing down why your AC keeps tripping the breaker is the first step to figuring out how to fix it. If it turns out an internal reset wasn’t enough to get your AC running again, reach out to your local Aire Serv professionals for air conditioner repair services. With years of experience, we can diagnose and fix a breaker that frequently trips so your home stays nice and cool throughout the season. To get started, call us or request an appointment online today!

This article is intended for general guidance only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your property and your situation. Aire Serv is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of any advice or guidance derived from blog content. For the most accurate guidance, contact an independently owned and operated Aire Serv for more information and a professional on-site assessment.