The fuse box is a safety mechanism that ensures your electrical appliances do not succumb to a surge of high voltage. When a fuse blows, it means your electrical components are drawing too much power supply from the circuit board.
While a blown fuse is uncommon in modern homes, it is not improbable for an air conditioner to blow a fuse. This may happen on particularly hot days when the air conditioner has to work harder to cool the room, or if there are one or more components in your air conditioning unit that are malfunctioning. Here are ways you can tell that you've got a blown fuse:
4 Signs and Possible Causes of A Blown AC Fuse
Sign #1: Outdoor AC Unit
The first sign of a blown fuse that you'll notice is that the outdoor unit of your air conditioner will immediately stop working as there is no electrical current flowing into the unit anymore. You'll notice a lack of vibrations coming from your AC unit, and your cooling system will suddenly become quiet.
This is the most common sign of a blown fuse, and you need to unplug your air conditioner immediately to prevent further damages. As much as possible, unplug any devices that are connected to the same circuit, which would most likely stop functioning as well.
Sign #2: Strange Noises
In addition to your air conditioner shutting down instantly, you may hear a strange, humming noise coming from the outdoor unit. You may hear the noise as a grinding, buzzing, or squealing sound as the air conditioner attempts to function properly without any energy input.
As the air conditioning unit continues to pull energy from the main power line wires, it creates this buzzing or humming sound. However, no electricity flows through as a result of blown fuses, so the noise can be clearly heard.
Sign #3: Air Conditioner Stops Working
You'll also notice that your air conditioner stops working despite checking the circuits, flipping the tripped breaker, and restarting your unit. A blown fuse would require replacement for your unit to work again, and without a replacement, it is unsafe to operate any electrical devices in your home.
Sign #4: Burnt or Exhaust Smell
If the air conditioner fuse is blown due to a short circuit, it may cause a spark that would emit a burning or exhaust smell. This is a highly sensitive and dangerous situation, so it is best to unplug all devices, turn off the electrical power coming into the house, and contact an experienced electrician immediately.
The burning smell indicates something has overheated or burnt along your electrical connections, while an exhaust smell coming from air conditioners indicates burning refrigerant gas. Both must be dealt with trained professionals to safely address the issue.
Troubleshooting Guide
Tip #1: Check Your Fuse Wire
The air conditioner's fuses are located in the disconnect box by the outdoor unit. You can look through the outdoor unit's access panel to find the AC fuses, and check for any blown fuse. A blown AC fuse would have a sooty, grimey appearance, and may be frayed, partially melted, or otherwise disfigured.
If you're handy in the shop, you can use a voltmeter to check for blown AC fuses. Set the voltmeter to 0, then attach the voltmeter's wires to the screws of your disconnection box. The reading should present 220V to 240V, which indicates a working fuse. If the reading is lower than 220V, or completely 0, then you have a problem with the fuses.
Tip #2: Replace the Blown Fuse
Once you've determined and located the blown fuse, you can now replace it with a new one manually, or contact an electrician to do the work if you're inexperienced with electrical devices. The power box has a high-voltage reading, and is dangerous to tinker with without proper safety gear and know-how. It is best to contact a professional service instead.
Tip #3: Contact a Professional
AC keeping blowing fuses? Check our aircon servicing to diagnose and fix the problem for you. A blown fuse is often an indicator of a persistent issue with your unit, and our technicians will be able to find out what's wrong with your unit.
We will be able to solve the problem regarding your unit so your air conditioner will no longer cause fuses to blow repeatedly, and you can enjoy the cold air coming from your air conditioner longer!
Tip #4: Schedule Regular Cleaning and Maintenance
Some of the services we offer include regular aircon cleaning and maintenance meant to upkeep the condition of your air conditioner. With routine checkups, our technicians will be able to uncover any weak points or issues with your unit before they lead to much bigger concerns. Scheduling a cleaning and maintenance check once every 4-6 months.
Take Care of Your Air Conditioner
Blown fuses are signs of their own, indicating an underlying problem with your air conditioner. Preventing a blown fuse is simpler and much less costly than repairing one, and for any air conditioner concerns, you have us at Luce to trust with the maintenance of your unit!
Check out our article on why your aircon keeps blowing fuses!
