Why Does My AC Breaker Keep Tripping?

Air-conditioning problems are the worst – especially for those of us living in the metro Atlanta area, where summer temperatures routinely approach triple-digit territory. And while air conditioner problems come in a variety of forms, tripped AC breakers are one of the most common reasons homeowners contact us.

Sometimes, your air conditioner may start working again after you reset the circuit breaker. But this isn’t the way things usually shake out. In most cases, tripped circuit breakers are likely to keep tripping until you address the underlying issue. And that means you have to know what kinds of things will cause this problem.

We’ll share some of the most common causes of a tripping AC breaker below, including a few that you may be able to correct yourself.

Seven Reasons Your AC Breaker Keeps Tripping

There are a variety of reasons your air conditioner's breaker may keep tripping, and diagnosing the problem often requires quite a bit of detective work. However, the following seven issues are among the most common causes for tripped AC breakers.

1.       The air filter in your air conditioner is dirty.

Clogged or dirty filters cause your HVAC unit to work harder than it should, which leads to overheating and a tripped breaker. Fortunately, replacing your air filter is an easy fix that will usually resolve this issue and prevent your breaker from flipping any more.

2.       The air conditioning system's coils have frozen.

In some cases, your evaporator coils can freeze up, which will cause the AC to work harder than it should, leading to a tripped circuit breaker. Turning the AC off for several hours will usually allow the coils to thaw, but they’ll likely freeze up again until you have the underlying issue fixed.

3.       There are problems with your electrical system.

Loose electrical wiring, short circuits, faulty electrical panels, and a variety of other electrical problems can cause your AC breaker to trip. Diagnosing and repairing these kinds of problems is outside the realm of things the average homeowner should attempt, so you’ll just need to contact a trusted electrician for assistance in these cases.

4.       The AC system's compressor is struggling.

The compressor in the outside AC unit may be failing or “hard starting” (drawing too much power), which can cause your AC breaker to trip. This generally means you’ll have to have the compressor replaced, as compressor repairs are rarely feasible (or cost effective).

5.       Your air conditioner's refrigerant level is low.

Your AC unit’s refrigerant circuit should be sealed so that the amount of coolant remains constant. However, leaks can develop and allow some of the coolant to escape. This will cause the AC unit to overheat, leading to a tripped breaker.

6.       The fan’s motor or capacitor has failed.

Faulty fan motors or capacitors can cause surges or overheating, which can lead to a tripped breaker. While you can’t replace the fan motor or capacitor yourself, these are both pretty affordable fixes, relative to some other AC problems.

7.       The AC circuit breaker is worn out or undersized.

In some cases, a tripping AC breaker may be caused by the circuit breaker itself. It may have worn out over time, or it may not have been properly rated for your AC unit. This is another problem that’ll require the help of a licensed electrician, but breaker replacement is generally not very expensive.

Electrician or HVAC Technician: Who Should You Call When Your AC Breaker Trips?

It’s often easy to know who to call when you need home repairs.

Leaky sink? Call a plumber. Overgrown hedge? Get your landscaper on the phone. Clogged gutter? You’ll need a roofer.

But things get a little more complicated when you’re dealing with a problem that involves multiple home systems — like when you have an air conditioner tripping the circuit breaker. Do you call an electrician or an HVAC technician?

Unfortunately, the answer isn’t always clear cut.

Most commonly, tripping AC circuit breakers are related to the HVAC unit, which means you’ll want to contact an HVAC professional to make the necessary repairs. However, problems like faulty breakers and short circuits are beyond the purview of an HVAC tech, and you’ll need an electrician to address these kinds of issues.

But because electrical problems can lead to fires, we always recommend having your electrical system inspected first.

Even if the problem ends up being related to the HVAC unit itself, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that your circuits are safe and not likely to start a fire. And in a best-case scenario, your electrician will identify and correct a problem, eliminating the need to contact an AC tech at all.

Let Knightly Electrical Services Help Keep You Cool All Summer Long!

Whether your AC breaker keeps tripping or you’re experiencing any other kind of electrical issue in your home, you can count on the professionals at Knightly Electrical Services to diagnose the problem and carry out the electrical repairs you need. Head over to our contact page now and schedule a consultation with a knight!