Why Does My Lexington Air Conditioner Cause My Circuit Breakers to Trip?

The rare circuit breaker trip typically isn’t anything to worry about, but when it starts happening frequently, it’s a problem. When circuit breakers trip due to air conditioning use, a sudden lack of cooling isn’t the only issue you face. The issues outlined below are common culprits behind an air conditioner which trips a Lexington home or business’s breakers.

Motor shorts

Air conditioners contain motors which run the fans and the compressor. Just like your car’s motor, these motors can also overheat while running. Overheating could cause the insulation enclosing the motor’s wiring to melt. Exposed wired have the potential to cause an electrical fire, among other problems, so your circuit breakers will trip to protect the home or building.

Our NATE-certified air conditioner repair technicians will fix this issue by replacing the existing motor with a new one.

Dirty coils

When dirt and grime accumulate on the condenser coils in the air conditioner’s exterior unit, the system cannot release heat properly. To make up for the restriction caused by this buildup, the system will draw more electricity and can cause the circuit breakers to trip.

Your cooling system’s condenser coils can be cleaned through a professional process known as air conditioner coil cleaning. A trained technician will apply chemical solutions to remove the buildup and allow the condenser coils to function properly.

Hard-starting compressor

Hard-starting is a term which means your air conditioner’s compressor has to draw higher levels of electricity to conquer presser at the beginning of a cooling cycle. Drawing higher levels of electricity can trip the breaker.

Your system’s compressor may need a hard-start kit to provide the power needed. A Climate Control technician can properly install this component for you.

When your breakers trip frequently due to air conditioner usage, it’s time to call Climate Control. Our NATE-certified air conditioning repair technicians will find the source of the problem and perform quality, lasting repairs to prevent future issues.