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HomeRepair HelpA/C RepairAir conditioner circuit breaker keeps tripping Repair
Air conditioner circuit breaker keeps tripping
If your air conditioner trips the breaker, the problem is usually a shorted electrical part, not a breaker that suddenly got picky. On most window units, start with the power cord, since the LCDI circuit protector can trip when the cord is damaged or when a component inside the unit shorts out. If the AC breaker keeps tripping after that, check the condenser fan motor, dual shaft fan motor, and blower motor for shorted windings, burn marks, or a burnt smell. A shorted motor often trips the breaker as soon as power is applied. Less common causes include a damaged wire harness with loose or broken connections, or a control board that has shorted and may show burn marks. Whether your window air conditioner trips the circuit breaker at startup or after running for a short time, work through the electrical parts in this order. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact power cord, fan motor, blower motor, wire harness, or control board that fits your specific air conditioner.
01 - Air Conditioner Power Cord
Most window air conditioners have an LCDI circuit protector that will detect a short in the cord or a component in the unit. If the circuit breaker on the cord is damaged or any of the components in the unit are shorted the circuit breaker will trip. The circuit breaker on the cord is usually more sensitive and will trip before the main breaker.
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Common
02 - Air Conditioner Condenser Fan Motor
An air conditioner condenser fan motor is the component that spins both the condenser fan blade in the rear of the unit. If the fan motor is burned out or shorted it may trip the circuit breaker. You can use a multimeter to check if the motor windings are shorted. A shorted motor will usually have a burnt smell and will need to be replaced.
Common
03 - Air Conditioner Dual Shaft Fan Motor
An air conditioner dual shaft fan motor is the component that spins both the condenser fan blade in the rear of the unit and the fan blade that forces the cooled air out the front vent. If the fan motor is burned out or shorted it may trip the circuit breaker. You can use a multimeter to check if the motor windings are shorted. A shorted motor will usually have a burnt smell and will need to be replaced.
Common
04 - Air Conditioner Blower Motor
If the blower motor windings are shorted out the breaker will likely trip when power is applied to the motor. You can try disconnecting the motor from the unit to see if the breaker will still trip. You can use a multimeter to check if the motor windings are shorted. A shorted motor will usually have a burnt smell and will need to be replaced.
Common
05 - Air Conditioner Wire Harness
A wire harness sends power and low voltage signals between the electrical components and the control board. If a wire harness becomes damaged, it can short out causing the circuit breaker to trip. Check the appropriate wire harnesses for breaks or loose connections. A damaged wire harness will need to be replaced.
Less Common
06 - Air Conditioner Control Board
The control board regulates the power supply to all of the components of the air conditioner. If the control board shorts out it can trip the circuit breaker. A shorted control board will usually have burn marks or smell burnt and will need to be replaced.
Less Common
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my air conditioner trip the breaker as soon as it turns on?
Can a bad fan motor cause an AC breaker to keep tripping?
How do I know if the air conditioner power cord is bad?
Should I replace the control board if my window air conditioner trips the circuit breaker?
How do I find the right replacement part for an air conditioner that trips the breaker?
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