Aircon Tripping the Circuit Breaker?

If your aircon trips the power repeatedly — or shuts down the moment it turns on — don’t reset it blindly. Breakers trip for a reason: to prevent electrical faults, overheating, or potential fire risk. Here’s what might be causing it, and why it matters.

What Could Be Causing Your Aircon to Trip?

1. Electrical overload

Too many high-power appliances running on the same circuit can exceed safe load — especially during startup.

2. Faulty compressor

A damaged compressor may pull excessive current on startup or during operation — overwhelming the breaker.

3. Short circuit

If internal wires touch or insulation fails, a sudden surge can trip the breaker instantly. This isn’t just annoying — it’s dangerous.

4. Damaged or poorly installed wiring

Frayed cables, improper grounding, or weak terminals can disrupt power flow and trigger the breaker as a safety measure.

5. Defective capacitor

A failing capacitor struggles to kickstart the compressor — causing current spikes that flip the breaker.

6. Dirty filters or coils

Restricted airflow can overwork the system, pushing amperage higher than normal, especially during hot days.

7. Refrigerant imbalance

Leaks or low gas can cause the compressor to strain — drawing more current than it should.

8. Undersized wiring or weak breaker

If the wiring isn’t rated for your aircon’s BTU draw — or the breaker is too sensitive or aging — tripping becomes more frequent.

9. Thermostat fault

Rapid short-cycling (on/off behavior) from a faulty thermostat can trigger overcurrent events.

What You Can Check First

• Is your aircon on a dedicated circuit?

• Are filters clean and airflow normal?

• Does the trip happen on startup or after running for a while?

• Any recent electrical work or lightning events?

Do not keep resetting the breaker. It’s there to protect you — not to be overridden repeatedly.

Why It Matters

Every trip is a sign. If ignored:

• Electrical components wear faster

• Breakers may become desensitized over time

• Compressor or PCB damage may follow

• Fire risk increases with every repeat fault

A reset doesn’t solve the problem. A proper check does.

When to Book a Diagnostic

✅ Breaker trips when aircon starts or during cooling

✅ Breaker reset doesn’t hold

✅ Other appliances unaffected — fault isolated to aircon

✅ You’ve already checked filters and usage load

We’ll test the current draw, wiring integrity, and component health — safely and thoroughly.