3 Power-Related AC Problems

An air conditioner runs solely on electricity. Unfortunately, your system can develop electrical problems that can affect its efficiency. You should never attempt electrical repairs due to the dangers involved, like electrocution. So, enlist a certified professional to do the job.

Below are the common electrical problems you will likely see with your air conditioning unit. 

Circuit Breaker Trips Constantly

The circuit breaker is a safety device that cuts off power to your unit in case of a short or overloaded circuit. Once the circuit breaker trips, you can flip it back on to reset it. However, if the circuit breaker trips repeatedly, you might unknowingly expose yourself to a fire risk if you keep resetting it rather than addressing the underlying issue. 

Oftentimes, overheating is to blame for this situation and occurs when your AC has a short in its wiring system. A defective capacitor or loose connections can also cause your system to overheat. Low refrigerant levels due to leaks in the refrigerant lines can strain your system, which in turn increases the load on your AC unit.

All these issues can increase the load on your circuit breaker and cause it to trip frequently. Have an AC technician diagnose your system and fix it before it fails.

AC Won't Turn Off

An air conditioner boasts a build-in feature that turns it off once your system meets the temperature requirements. If your AC fails to turn off on its own, an electric problem is the most likely culprit. Your thermostat might also have loose or damaged wiring that can throw off the desired settings.  

Over time, the insulation deteriorates, which exposes the live internal wires. These wires can get into contact with each other, isolating signals and causing the condenser to run constantly. Your AC won't shut down there's no return signal telling it to do so.

A blower fan in the wrong setting can also cause this problem. Ideally, the fan setting should be set to "auto" to ensure the blower fan only runs during a cooling or heating cycle. If the fan setting reads "on," your unit will run continuously. You simply need to change the setting to "auto" to fix the issue. If your unit still won't shut down, have an expert troubleshoot the problem.

AC Won't Turn On After a Power Outage

Electrical fluctuations are normal when storms or torrential rains strike, but they may sometimes result in a power outage. When power returns, your whole system can experience a sudden power surge, which may damage some internal components in your system, like the compressor or evaporator systems.

Some AC units have a fail-safe mechanism that prevents your unit from turning on if there's an issue with these components. In addition, if there's a break in the circuitry from the power surge, there won't be any power delivered to the evaporator or condenser. The AC power indicators might fail to turn on when this happens, which only means that your system has sustained significant damage.

Reach out to an AC service expert so they can take a closer look at your AC's electrical system and determine the exact cause for any power issues you might have.

Contact a local AC contractor to learn more.