Why Does My AC Trip the Breaker in Prospect, KY?

A tripped AC breaker is inconvenient to deal with during the summer in Prospect, KY. Learn why your AC trips its breaker and what actions to take to prevent this from happening.

Grounded Compressor

A grounded compressor will cause your air conditioner to trip its breaker. It could also damage your cooling system. If your AC has a ground compressor, you may need to hire an HVAC technician to install a new air conditioner for you.

Shorted Motor

Constant use during the summer in Prospect puts your HVAC motor at risk of shorting and tripping the unit’s breaker. When the wire insulation breaks down, it will cause the motor to short and stop working. When your AC motor shorts, you will need to hire an experienced HVAC technician to repair it.

Faulty Circuit Breaker

A damaged or old AC circuit breaker may trip more frequently than newer ones. During a regular maintenance appointment a technician will check and tighten any loose connections in your air conditioner.

Dirty Outside Unit

Dirt, dust, leaves and other buildup on your outside AC unit insulates and causes the unit to retain heat. This debris also causes the outside air conditioning unit to work harder and could trip the system’s breaker. Clean off your outdoor unit before summer to reduce the risk of the AC breaker tripping.

Dirty Air Filters

Dirty air filters also cause your cooling unit to work harder. This exertion leads to the unit’s blower drawing more electricity and tripping the unit’s breaker. Remedy this problem by checking and either cleaning or replacing your unit’s air filters at least every two to three months.

These common factors contribute to your air conditioner tripping its breaker during the summer months in Prospect, KY. Contact Birkhead Co. to ask about preventive maintenance to prevent AC breaker tripping.

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