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HomeRepair HelpCarrier Central A/C RepairCarrier Central air conditioner circuit breaker keeps tripping Repair
Carrier Central air conditioner circuit breaker keeps tripping
When your Carrier central air conditioner keeps tripping the breaker or blowing fuses, shut the system off and check for visible damage before resetting it repeatedly. The most likely cause is a shorted condenser fan motor in the outdoor condensing unit. Next, check the outdoor fan motor, then the furnace or air handler blower motor. A seized blower wheel, burnt smell, or motor winding short can overload the circuit. Less commonly, a shorted compressor, control board, or damaged wire harness is responsible. Other possible electrical parts include the run capacitor, contactor, disconnect box, fuse, and circuit breaker. Testing motor windings for a short to ground requires a multimeter, but the outdoor unit and air handler contain dangerous 240-volt line voltage. Turn off power at the disconnect and breaker, and have a licensed HVAC technician handle energized testing, compressor diagnosis, or wiring repairs beyond your training. Compressor replacement and any repair that opens the sealed refrigerant system require EPA 608 certification. Enter your Carrier central air conditioner model number to find the exact replacement condenser fan motor, blower motor, compressor, control board, or wire harness for your unit.
01 - Carrier Central Air Conditioner Condenser Fan Motor
If the outdoor condensing unit's breaker or fuses keep tripping the condenser fan motor may be to blame. To determine if the condenser fan motor is shorted, use a multimeter to test the motor windings for a short to ground. If the condenser fan motor will not turn freely or the windings are shorted, replace the condenser fan motor.
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Common
02 - Carrier Central Air Conditioner Fan Motor
If the outdoor condensing unit's breaker or fuses keep tripping the condenser fan motor may be to blame. To determine if the outdoor fan motor is shorted, use a multimeter to test the motor windings for a short to ground. If the outdoor fan motor will not turn freely or the windings are shorted, it will need to be replaced.
Common
03 - Carrier Central Air Conditioner Blower Motor
Since the furnace or air handler's blower motor is the component that circulates the air through the home's venting, a defective blower motor may result in the circuit breaker tripping. You can try disconnecting the motor from the control board and see if the breaker still trips. You can also use a multimeter to test the blower motor for an electrical short, or see if there are any burnt smells coming from the motor. You can also try turning the blower wheel by hand. If the wheel does not turn freely, it's likely the motor bearings have seized. If the motor doesn't turn freely or is shorted the blower motor will need to b...
Common
04 - Carrier Central Air Conditioner Compressor
The compressor is located in the outdoor condensing unit and gets power through a service panel box next to the unit. If the compressor is shorted the fuses in the service panel box or the main breaker box may trip. You can test the compressor for shorts by using a multimeter. If the compressor windings are shorted the compressor itself or the whole unit will need to be replaced.
Less Common
05 - Carrier Central Air Conditioner Control Board
The control board regulates the power supply to all of the components of the furnace or air handler. 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
06 - Carrier Central 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Carrier central air conditioner keep tripping the circuit breaker?
What should I check first when my central air keeps tripping the breaker?
Can a condenser fan motor or blower motor cause the AC breaker to trip?
Could the compressor, control board, or wire harness be causing the breaker to trip?
How do I find the correct Carrier AC replacement part for my model?
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