Trane Central air conditioner circuit breaker keeps tripping
When your Trane central air conditioner keeps tripping the breaker or blowing fuses, the condenser fan motor is the most likely cause. A seized motor, shorted winding, or motor that will not turn freely can make the AC condenser keep tripping the breaker. The outdoor fan motor is the next likely problem, followed by the furnace or air handler blower motor, especially if its bearings are seized or its windings are shorted. Less common causes include a shorted compressor in the outdoor condensing unit, a failed control board, or damaged wiring in the wire harness. A technician can use a multimeter to check for shorts, but the condenser, blower motor, disconnect box, and circuit breaker involve dangerous 240V line voltage, so turn off power and leave energized testing or electrical repairs to a qualified professional. Compressor or other sealed-system work also requires an EPA 608-certified technician. With power safely disconnected, you can inspect for burn marks, damaged wires, or a burnt smell. Enter your Trane model number to find the exact replacement part for your central air conditioner.
01 - Trane 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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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.
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...e replaced.
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.
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.
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.