Does your air conditioner keep on tripping the circuit breaker panel? In Singapore, where electrical systems are often optimized for compact living spaces, overloaded circuits can be a common issue!
To help you troubleshoot this issue, we present 6 possible reasons why this keeps on happening—and the simple and easy solutions that you can try to fix the problem.
Understanding What an AC Circuit Breaker Is and How It Works
An AC circuit breaker is a safety device designed to protect your home’s electrical system from overheating or overloading. It automatically shuts off power when it detects an electrical fault, preventing potential fire hazards or damage to your air conditioner.
Typically, the AC breaker is located in your home’s main electrical panel, which is often found in a utility room, service closet, or near the entrance of an HDB or condo unit. In landed properties, it may be situated outside near the meter box.
What Causes an AC Circuit Breaker to Trip?
Dirty Air Filter
A dirty air filter can cause the AC blower to work double time, working longer and harder just to give proper air circulation through the filter. As a result, this causes the blower to draw in more electricity and trip the breaker. To fix this problem, clean or change the dirty air filter right away.
Dirty AC External Unit
Your air conditioner system is made up of two main units: the inside unit and the outside unit. The inside unit is responsible for absorbing heat from your space’s air by using the refrigerant. The refrigerant works by distributing this air into the outside unit to disperse and release the heat.
Once the outside unit becomes filthy, it begins to have a hard time dispersing heat well because dirt in itself is an insulator. This causes the air conditioner to run longer and harder just to keep dispersing heat outside, resulting in breaker trips because of too much current being drawn in.
Faulty Circuit Breaker
If your AC system is perfectly clean and functioning, then the fault may be from the circuit breaker itself. You can check this by inspecting the wires connected to the breaker or the entire panel itself. Luckily, fixing or replacing the circuit breaker is an inexpensive way to solve this problem. Simply have a professional technician or an air conditioning expert tighten the wires in the system or replace the AC circuit breaker altogether.
The Motor Suffered An Electrical Short
Electric motors in an air conditioner system function by running for the entire duration that an air conditioner is turned on, causing it to take quite a beating on an everyday basis. If these motors start running for far too long, they can turn hot and cause electrical shortness. A short can potentially cause wires to overheat, melt, and catch fire, resulting in the circuit breaker tripping altogether.
The Compressor Is Acting Up
The compressor is the heart of any air conditioning system. It’s responsible for transferring heat in the unit and eliminating humidity in the process. But when the compressor starts aging, it experiences trouble starting and draws in more electricity. This issue, along with other hard starting problems, causes the breaker to suddenly trip. To prevent this from happening, get in touch with an air conditioner technician and have a hard start kit installed in the unit. This is a capacitor that provides an extra electrical current to the compressor for better performance.
The compressor Is Grounded
A grounded compressor is the result of a broken electrical winding inside the compressor. This causes a direct short to ground that ignites the oil and leads to total burnout. Because of this, the circuit breaker suddenly trips due to the sudden current surge.
Too Little Refrigerant
When your AC is low on refrigerant, it forces the compressor to work harder, leading to overheating and triggering the circuit breaker. This issue is often caused by leaks, which require professional repair.
Loose Wiring
Over time, electrical connections inside your AC can become loose due to wear and tear. Loose wiring can cause short circuits or overheating, which may lead to breaker trips. This is a common issue we’ve encountered with some clients in Singapore, especially in older HDB flats and commercial buildings with aging electrical systems.
What to Do When AC Breaker Trips?
If your AC trips the breaker, you can follow these steps first before calling for professional help!
- Check the AC Air Filter: A clogged air filter can restrict airflow, making your system overwork and potentially trip the breaker. Clean or replace the filter regularly, especially in Singapore’s dusty environment.
- Perform a Quick Inspection of the AC Unit: Look for visible signs of damage, such as water leaks, burnt wires, or unusual sounds. If you notice anything unusual, turn off the unit and call a technician.
- Perform a Hard Reset: Sometimes, a simple reset can solve the problem. Turn off the AC at the thermostat, switch off the breaker, wait a few minutes, then turn everything back on.
If these troubleshooting tips don’t help and the breaker keeps tripping again, you need to seek professional help.
How to Stop AC from Tripping the Breaker?
The best way to prevent circuit breaker trips is by scheduling routine maintenance with a professional AC technician. Regular servicing ensures your system runs efficiently, helping to detect potential issues before they become serious problems.
Given Singapore’s tropical weather, AC units work harder and accumulate dust and debris faster, making maintenance even more crucial.
Keeping the AC System in Perfect Condition with Luce!
Don’t let a faulty AC disrupt your comfort! At Luce, we provide expert AC maintenance and repair services to keep your cooling system running smoothly. Whether you’re in an HDB flat, condo, or office space in Singapore, our team is ready to help. Schedule an AC service with Luce today and enjoy a cool, worry-free home!
