Intertherm Central air conditioner circuit breaker keeps tripping
If your Intertherm central air conditioner keeps tripping the breaker or fuses, stop resetting it repeatedly and check for an electrical short. The most likely cause is a failed condenser fan motor in the outdoor condensing unit. A seized motor or shorted winding can make the central air tripping breaker, and the motor should be tested for a short to ground and replaced if necessary. The next most likely cause is a defective blower motor in the furnace or air handler. Check whether the blower wheel turns freely and look for a short or burnt odor. Less commonly, a shorted compressor, control board, or damaged wire harness can cause the air conditioner circuit breaker to trip. Testing and replacing these components involves 240V line voltage, so turn off power at the disconnect box and circuit breaker, and use a qualified HVAC technician or electrician for live electrical testing and repairs beyond your skill level. Do not work inside the sealed refrigerant system. Enter your Intertherm 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 - Intertherm 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.
03 - Intertherm 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...e replaced.
04 - Intertherm 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.
05 - Intertherm 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.
06 - Intertherm 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.