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Joseph Meehan
 
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Default air conditioner circuit breaker trips

A.Taylor wrote:
I live in Dallas and the weather has been very nice until today. Today
I decided to use the central A/C, the unit ran without incident for
maybe 20 minutes than the circuit breaker tripped. I reset the
breaker and 10 minutes later again the circuit breaker tripped (The
a/c was cold before the breaker tripped and returned cold after I
flipped the breaker). What is going on here?

I believe I have a heat pump unit (you know the one that gets cold
but not as cold as someone with a regular unit). Thanks in advance.


It could be a number of things. Anything from a weak breaker to a
nearly dead A/C. My guess is a basic service/maintenance call will take
care of it. When was the last time you had it serviced?

--
Joseph Meehan

Dia duit


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tim1198
 
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Default air conditioner circuit breaker trips

Depending on the age of the house (breaker box), breakers do wear over
time and become more resistive. When you turn your AC on, it gets very
hot and that's what typically causes breakers to trip. The breakers
trip when they get hot due to overcurrent, or just old age.

My personal experience was that my box was so old (1968), the busses
feeding the circuit had corroded to about 1/2 the size and basically
lit up like a lightbulb when the AC was on, causing the breakers to
trip. I had to remove the box.

Good luck,
tim1198

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Stormin Mormon
 
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Default air conditioner circuit breaker trips

It sounds a lot like your unit is drawing excessive amperage.

--

Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
..

"A.Taylor" wrote in message
news I live in Dallas and the weather has been very nice until today. Today
I
decided to use the central A/C, the unit ran without incident for
maybe 20
minutes than the circuit breaker tripped. I reset the breaker and 10
minutes
later again the circuit breaker tripped (The a/c was cold before the
breaker
tripped and returned cold after I flipped the breaker). What is going
on
here?

I believe I have a heat pump unit (you know the one that gets cold but
not
as cold as someone with a regular unit). Thanks in advance.



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Bob Urz
 
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Default air conditioner circuit breaker trips



A.Taylor wrote:
I live in Dallas and the weather has been very nice until today. Today I
decided to use the central A/C, the unit ran without incident for maybe 20
minutes than the circuit breaker tripped. I reset the breaker and 10 minutes
later again the circuit breaker tripped (The a/c was cold before the breaker
tripped and returned cold after I flipped the breaker). What is going on
here?

I believe I have a heat pump unit (you know the one that gets cold but not
as cold as someone with a regular unit). Thanks in advance.


Is the fan running on your outdoor condenser unit when you have the air
on and the breaker is not tripped? Is it cool air at the indoor air
vents when the AC is running? Had any storms around lately?

Bob

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet News==----
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lp13-30
 
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Default air conditioner circuit breaker trips

First, a heat pump should have exactly the same cooling capacity as a
regular A/C unit of the same tonnage. You should really have your unit
serviced yearly to be sure it is working at maximum capacity and
efficiency. As to the breaker tripping, it is hard to diagnose without
being there, but from what you describe, it sounds more like a problem
in the electrical service to the unit rather than a problem with the
unit itself, but there are many possibilities, and unless you have some
basic experience with electrical work, it is best left to a pro. Your
best bet would be to call an A/C company, explain the problem to them,
and ask that they send an experienced service tech out. Most larger
companies will have techs with varying amounts of experience, and some
with more expertise in certain areas than others, so it wil be in their
best interest as well as yours to send someone out that can diagnose
your system rather than guess at it. Good luck, Larry



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Kathy
 
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Default air conditioner circuit breaker trips


"Bob Urz" wrote in message
...
Is the fan running on your outdoor condenser unit when you have

the air
on and the breaker is not tripped? Is it cool air at the indoor

air
vents when the AC is running? Had any storms around lately?

and check your filter


  #7   Report Post  
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cm
 
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Default air conditioner circuit breaker trips

I think you need to check the time/date on your computer. That would make
this group happy.

cm
"A.Taylor" wrote in message
news
I live in Dallas and the weather has been very nice until today. Today I
decided to use the central A/C, the unit ran without incident for maybe 20
minutes than the circuit breaker tripped. I reset the breaker and 10
minutes
later again the circuit breaker tripped (The a/c was cold before the
breaker
tripped and returned cold after I flipped the breaker). What is going on
here?

I believe I have a heat pump unit (you know the one that gets cold but not
as cold as someone with a regular unit). Thanks in advance.




  #8   Report Post  
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mm
 
Posts: n/a
Default air conditioner circuit breaker trips

On Tue, 18 Apr 2006 00:24:13 GMT, "PipeDown"
wrote:


"Shopdog" wrote in message
news:KfW0g.6006$JY5.829@trnddc01...
Damn, this is going to top my list for awhile! I think maybe I'll wait it
out though!



Just hit delete and it will disappear from your viewer but not anyone elses.


Yes. With some news clients, Shopdog will have to wait 9 years before
the first post in this thread goes away. It probably won't be deleted
because of age, because it has a negative age. When the first post
is deleted, the others will be in date order, like usual.

The date stamp comes from the server not the originating PC unless you use
malicous software.


I don't think so, at least not all the time. When my clock is wrong
and I post with Agent, whatever my own clock shows is what shows in
the list. I set this post for 10:42 AM, before the post I'm replying
to, so you all can see.

  #9   Report Post  
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Shopdog
 
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Default air conditioner circuit breaker trips

Damn, this is going to top my list for awhile! I think maybe I'll wait it
out though!


  #10   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
PipeDown
 
Posts: n/a
Default air conditioner circuit breaker trips


"Shopdog" wrote in message
news:KfW0g.6006$JY5.829@trnddc01...
Damn, this is going to top my list for awhile! I think maybe I'll wait it
out though!


Just hit delete and it will disappear from your viewer but not anyone elses.

The date stamp comes from the server not the originating PC unless you use
malicous software.




  #11   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
 
Posts: n/a
Default air conditioner circuit breaker trips


"Bob Urz" wrote in message
...


A.Taylor wrote:
I live in Dallas and the weather has been very nice until today. Today I
decided to use the central A/C, the unit ran without incident for maybe
20
minutes than the circuit breaker tripped. I reset the breaker and 10
minutes
later again the circuit breaker tripped (The a/c was cold before the
breaker
tripped and returned cold after I flipped the breaker). What is going on
here?

I believe I have a heat pump unit (you know the one that gets cold but
not
as cold as someone with a regular unit). Thanks in advance.


Is the fan running on your outdoor condenser unit when you have the air
on and the breaker is not tripped? Is it cool air at the indoor air vents
when the AC is running? Had any storms around lately?

Bob

----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Unrestricted-Secure Usenet
News==----
http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 120,000+
Newsgroups
----= East and West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption
=----


Good advice on checking if the outside fan is running. If it is siezed or
shorted that can trip the breaker. IF it is open and not running that can
also trip the breaker by causing the compressor to draw to much curret, .
After checking this replace the breaker if you can DIY it.


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Thomas G. Marshall
 
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Default air conditioner circuit breaker trips

A.Taylor said something like:
I live in Dallas and the weather has been very nice until today. Today I
decided to use the central A/C, the unit ran without incident for maybe 20
minutes than the circuit breaker tripped. I reset the breaker and 10
minutes
later again the circuit breaker tripped (The a/c was cold before the
breaker
tripped and returned cold after I flipped the breaker). What is going on
here?

I believe I have a heat pump unit (you know the one that gets cold but not
as cold as someone with a regular unit). Thanks in advance.



I had the exact same thing, and after talking my service technician OUT of
replacing board after board in the indoor part of my a/c unit, we went to
the circuit breaker and discovered that that the wire to it was loosely
screwed in.

And discolored.

This by itself can cause a circuit breaker to throw.

We tightened the screw and it has been fine ever since.

Note: PULEEZ shut down the universe before attempting touching that screw.



--
"Realtor" and "realty" are pronounced "reel'-tor" and
"reel'-tee", *not* "reel'-a-tor" and "reel'-i-tee" !!!!
If you pronounce them with the extra syllable, you will
sound like a complete idiot.


  #13   Report Post  
Posted to alt.home.repair
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,300
Default air conditioner circuit breaker trips

A.Taylor wrote:
I live in Dallas and the weather has been very nice until today. Today I
decided to use the central A/C, the unit ran without incident for maybe 20
minutes than the circuit breaker tripped. I reset the breaker and 10 minutes
later again the circuit breaker tripped (The a/c was cold before the breaker
tripped and returned cold after I flipped the breaker). What is going on
here?


What's going on is that something's not working right.

Could be anything from a bad breaker to a loose connection at the
breaker to a plugged filter or at worst, a compressor near the end of
its life because there's shorted turns in its motor windings.

I believe I have a heat pump unit (you know the one that gets cold but not
as cold as someone with a regular unit). Thanks in advance.


If you don't know enough to tell the difference between a heat pump and
an A/C in your own place then I think you better stop right there and
fix the problem with your checkbook by calling in a pro.

He'll probably even tell you what kind of system you've got at no extra
cost.

HTH,

Jeff
--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
"Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength."
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Posts: 37
Default air conditioner circuit breaker trips

"A.Taylor" wrote:

I live in Dallas and the weather has been very nice until today. Today I
decided to use the central A/C, the unit ran without incident for maybe 20
minutes than the circuit breaker tripped. I reset the breaker and 10 minutes
later again the circuit breaker tripped (The a/c was cold before the breaker
tripped and returned cold after I flipped the breaker). What is going on
here?

I believe I have a heat pump unit (you know the one that gets cold but not
as cold as someone with a regular unit). Thanks in advance.

================================================== =============
My mom lived in a condo before her death. The second year that she lived there,
the central A/C unit would pop the breaker 2 or 3 times a day. I would have to
go over there and reset it for her. The A/C was freezing cold, and I saw no
reason for the breaker tripping. It followed no pattern--sometimes it would run
for 10 minutes and trip, and other times a few hours. I finally got fed up of
going over there multiple times a day, and got another double pole 30 amp
breaker, and installed it--problem solved--it never tripped again--some breakers
do get weak. Try a new breaker.

================================================== ======
Remove the ZZZ from my E-mail address to send me E-mail.
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mm mm is offline
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Posts: 7,824
Default air conditioner circuit breaker trips

On Sat, 17 Feb 2007 17:11:12 GMT, (Ron in
NY) wrote:

"A.Taylor" wrote:

I live in Dallas and the weather has been very nice until today. Today I
decided to use the central A/C, the unit ran without incident for maybe 20
minutes than the circuit breaker tripped. I reset the breaker and 10 minutes
later again the circuit breaker tripped


That's because IT'S WINTER. You should have saved the cold from last
month and used it now. They make insulated containers for this.

(The a/c was cold before the breaker
tripped and returned cold after I flipped the breaker). What is going on
here?

I believe I have a heat pump unit (you know the one that gets cold but not
as cold as someone with a regular unit). Thanks in advance.

================================================= ==============
My mom lived in a condo before her death. The second year that she lived there,
the central A/C unit would pop the breaker 2 or 3 times a day. I would have to
go over there and reset it for her. The A/C was freezing cold, and I saw no


I would have gotten a big stick, so you could flip the breaker from
your house.

reason for the breaker tripping. It followed no pattern--sometimes it would run
for 10 minutes and trip, and other times a few hours. I finally got fed up of
going over there multiple times a day, and got another double pole 30 amp
breaker, and installed it--problem solved--it never tripped again--some breakers
do get weak. Try a new breaker.

================================================= =======
Remove the ZZZ from my E-mail address to send me E-mail.




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Abe Abe is offline
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Posts: 30
Default air conditioner circuit breaker trips

I live in Dallas and the weather has been very nice until today. Today I
decided to use the central A/C, the unit ran without incident for maybe 20
minutes than the circuit breaker tripped. I reset the breaker and 10 minutes
later again the circuit breaker tripped


That's because IT'S WINTER. You should have saved the cold from last
month and used it now. They make insulated containers for this.


My mom lived in a condo before her death. The second year that she lived there,
the central A/C unit would pop the breaker 2 or 3 times a day. I would have to
go over there and reset it for her. The A/C was freezing cold, and I saw no


I would have gotten a big stick, so you could flip the breaker from
your house.

Those are just genius suggestions.......NOT
  #17   Report Post  
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Abe Abe is offline
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Posts: 30
Default air conditioner circuit breaker trips

I live in Dallas and the weather has been very nice until today. Today I
decided to use the central A/C, the unit ran without incident for maybe 20
minutes than the circuit breaker tripped. I reset the breaker and 10 minutes
later again the circuit breaker tripped (The a/c was cold before the breaker
tripped and returned cold after I flipped the breaker). What is going on
here?

I believe I have a heat pump unit (you know the one that gets cold but not
as cold as someone with a regular unit). Thanks in advance.

================================================= ==============
My mom lived in a condo before her death. The second year that she lived there,
the central A/C unit would pop the breaker 2 or 3 times a day. I would have to
go over there and reset it for her. The A/C was freezing cold, and I saw no
reason for the breaker tripping. It followed no pattern--sometimes it would run
for 10 minutes and trip, and other times a few hours. I finally got fed up of
going over there multiple times a day, and got another double pole 30 amp
breaker, and installed it--problem solved--it never tripped again--some breakers
do get weak. Try a new breaker.

Right. It's either a bad breaker, or something in the electrical
innards of the AC unit. Replace the breaker first. If that doesn't
solve it, time to call an A/C repairman.
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Posts: 223
Default air conditioner circuit breaker trips

One of several choices.

1) you have a mystery electrical problem
2) Your breaker is weak
3) The system is overloaded for some reason, and drawing too
high of current.

Did it trip the single breaker to the air handler, or the
double to the outdoor unit?

--
..
"A.Taylor" wrote in message
news I live in Dallas and the weather has been very nice until
today. Today I
decided to use the central A/C, the unit ran without
incident for maybe 20
minutes than the circuit breaker tripped. I reset the
breaker and 10 minutes
later again the circuit breaker tripped (The a/c was cold
before the breaker
tripped and returned cold after I flipped the breaker). What
is going on
here?

I believe I have a heat pump unit (you know the one that
gets cold but not
as cold as someone with a regular unit). Thanks in advance.



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Posts: 1,567
Default air conditioner circuit breaker trips

On May 11, 9:07*am, "Stormin Mormon"
wrote:
One of several choices.

1) you have a mystery electrical problem
2) Your breaker is weak
3) The system is overloaded for some reason, and drawing too
high of current.

Did it trip the single breaker to the air handler, or the
double to the outdoor unit?

--
."A.Taylor" wrote in message

news I live in Dallas and the weather has been very nice until
today. Today I
decided to use the central A/C, the unit ran without
incident for maybe 20
minutes than the circuit breaker tripped. I reset the
breaker and 10 minutes
later again the circuit breaker tripped (The a/c was cold
before the breaker
tripped and returned cold after I flipped the breaker). What
is going on
here?

I believe I have a heat pump unit (you know the one that
gets cold but not
as cold as someone with a regular unit). Thanks in advance.


Heat pumps cool just as much as a regular ac. Works the same way.
Just reverses in winter to provide heat instead of ac.

A relatively cheap thing you can try is to replace the breaker if that
is within your diy abilities. Turn off the main first of course.
Regular breakers are less than $10 at lowes or home depot. Breakers
do get weak. If you can find the paperwork for the unit you might
confirm that the correct sized breaker is on the circuit. Do not be
tempted to increase the breaker size unless you know that a larger
breaker is called for by the heat pump manufacturer and the circuit
was wired with the correct gauge wire for a larger breaker.

If that's not the problem then something is causing a larger current
draw and needs to be investigated further. Is it a split system with
the air handler inside the house somewhere and an outside unit? Or a
package unit that sits outside and has the house duct work hooked
directly to it?
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