The air conditioner causes the electrical circuit to trip, what to do?

It’s the middle of August, it’s too hot, and you are without an air conditioner because it causes your electrical circuit to trip. Keep the heat at bay! In this troubleshooting guide, we explain all the possible causes to solve this problem.

THE POTENTIAL CAUSES FOR THIS FAULT:

• Power supply

• Weak circuit breaker

• Poor compressor condition

• Faulty fan

• Defrost resistor fault

• Flap/shuttered motor ground leak

WARNING
Before you do anything to your appliance, make sure you disconnect it from the power supply.
There is a risk of electric shock.
Wear suitable gloves if you carry out dismantling.
Risk of cuts.

Faulty power supply

The power supply can cause disconnects. Check that the socket concerned is in good condition and that it can withstand the consumption of your air conditioner. If the cables are damaged or the connections are loose, this can cause power surges and cause the meter to trip, so check the connectors for signs of wear or damage.

The circuit breaker is not powerful enough

A circuit breaker that is not calibrated for the consumption of your air conditioning unit can cause frequent disconnections. Check that it is suitable for the power of the device. If this is not the case and it is undersized, or outdated it must be replaced by a more powerful model, with an appropriate caliber.

The compressor is grounded

If the compressor is grounded or short-circuited, it can cause the circuit breaker to shut down. Use a multimeter set to 200 Megaohms to detect a ground fault. If you don’t get a reading, it indicates that there is no ground leak. For a short circuit, measure the windings (coils of wire) with a multimeter set to 200 Ohms. If you get a low reading, your compressor is working normally. Otherwise, it will need to be replaced.

Faulty fan

The ventilation system of your air conditioning unit may be faulty and have a ground leak, causing the circuit breaker to trip. A ground leak, also known as a ground fault, occurs when electrical current unintentionally flows from a circuit to the ground. This can happen due to damaged insulation, faulty wiring, or a malfunctioning component. When a ground leak occurs, it can cause electrical devices to malfunction and may trip the circuit breaker to prevent potential hazards like electric shocks or fires. Check the fan’s condition with a multimeter. Make sure the fan’s windings do not show any ground connection. Replace the fan if you detect a fault.

Purchase a fan for my air conditioner

Defrost resistor fault

Some old, non-reversible air conditioners have a defrost resistor. It can also have a ground leak and cause the meter to trip. Use a multimeter to check this part. If it is grounded, it will need to be replaced.

The motor has a ground leak

A grounded motor creates leakage currents, which can overload the circuit breaker and cause it to become safe. Using your multimeter, make sure the motor is working properly to avoid this type of problem. Follow these steps to perform the test. Turn off the power and unplugged the device to avoid any electrical hazards.Set your multimeter to the highest resistance setting (usually 200 Megaohms). Place one probe on the motor casing (ground) and the other probe on each of the motor windings in turn. If the multimeter shows a reading, it indicates a ground leak. A reading of zero or near zero means there is no ground leak. If the test reveals a ground leak, it indicates a fault that requires your air conditioner motor to be replaced.