A tripped circuit breaker often accompanies A/C component malfunctions. On a hot summer day, a home's central air conditioner is the biggest electricity consumer, exceeding all other major appliances. Drawing about 3,500 watts per hour, a typical 2.5-ton central air conditioner imposes a heavy drain on the electrical system. When something goes awry, an A/C unit may trip a circuit breaker in the electrical panel, bringing comfort in the home to an unexpected halt. Isolated causes like a short in wiring can kick off a circuit breaker, but recurrent overloads are likely the result of components in the air conditioner malfunctioning and drawing too much electricity. Blower Issues A three-ton residential central air conditioner circulates about 1,400 cubic feet of air per minute through the system. The workhorse that makes it happen is the electric blower, located in the indoor air handler. Typically incorporating a quarter-horsepower motor that runs at about 1,000 rpm, the blower is a significant electricity consumer.

Worn or dry bearings in the motor can cause the motor to bind, overheat and eventually draw enough amps to trip a circuit breaker. Similarly, a severely clogged system air filter can deprive the blower of air circulation, also causing overheating and tripping a circuit breaker. Evaporator Coil Icing The evaporator coil that extracts heat energy from household air circulates vaporized refrigerant at a consistent temperature of about 40 degrees. If excessive dirt and dust on the coil reduce the efficiency of heat exchange, the coil temperature may drop below freezing. car ac repair newport news vaThis causes natural condensation that forms inside the coil to freeze. daikin inverter ac unitsThe thickening coat of ice gradually strangles system airflow through narrow coil passages; 10000 btu window unit air conditioner

ultimately, airflow is obstructed. The total loss of airflow causes the system to run nonstop, never meeting thermostat settings. In this scenario, the overstressed blower motor -- straining against the increased air pressure caused by the ice obstruction -- overheats, causing a circuit breaker to trip. Dirty Condenser Coil Dirt and dust frequently settle on the condenser coil, located in the outdoor cabinet. Because the coil must be exposed to outdoor air, if it is not periodically cleaned, the dust and dirt accumulation can become heavy enough to interfere with the proper release of heat energy from refrigerant circulating through the coil. When this heat cannot be effectively dispersed, the air conditioner runs for increasingly extended periods. This may eventually overstress the blower motor or compressor, tripping the dedicated condenser circuit breaker. Low Refrigerant Refrigerant transports extracted indoor heat outdoors to be dispersed by the condenser coil. The refrigerant contains the vital lubricant for the compressor, an electrically driven, 240-volt unit that is the biggest consumer of amperage in the system.

When refrigerant levels drop too low, insufficient lubricant reaches the compressor, resulting in severe overheating. The powerful electric motor in the compressor may bind, and the resultant extreme electrical draw causes a circuit breaker to trip. Since air conditioners don’t “use” refrigerant the same way a high-mileage car may consume a quart of oil, low refrigerant levels are almost always the consequence of leaks somewhere in the system. References Inspectapedia: How to Diagnose & Fix a Burned-Out Air Conditioning CompressorInspectapedia: Outdoor Condenser Unit DiagnosisInspectapedia: Electric Motor Troubleshooting Photo Credits Jupiterimages/liquidlibrary/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionProperly working heating and cooling systems are integral aspects of a comfortable home or workplace, especially during summer. One malfunction can leave you sweltering in the heat and make your home unbearable. When temperatures start to cliumb outside, the last thing you want is to find your portable air conditioner knocked out by a simple malfunction.

The good news is that not every malfunction is a disaster. Though some require professional help, a great many can be resolved on your own, without the need for a technician. Before you spend any money on repairs, take some time to see if any of these simple fixes are enough to get your portable AC up and running again.   Portable air conditioners are ideal for cooling small areas, such as bedrooms or living rooms, or for providing supplemental cooling in places central AC systems can't reach. Because they're small units, the two primary reasons for inadequate cooling are incorrect sizing and extreme ambient temperatures. The size of an air conditioner refers to its cooling power, not its physical proportions. Portable ACs are sized according to their BTU ratings, and if your portable AC has the wrong BTU rating for the size of the room you're trying to cool, its efficiency will be affected. A unit with too many BUTs will cause the unit to cycle off too quickly, while a unit with too few won't be powerful enough to affect the ambient temperature. 

To find out whether your portable air conditioner is the right size for the  room it's in, meaure the length and width of the room. If your room is oddly shaped, try breaking it up into smaller shapes like squares and triangles. Calculate the area of a triangle my multiplying the base by the height and dividing in two. Once you've calculated the area, consult our portable air conditioner sizing guide so see what size air conditioner will work best in that space. If you're on the cusp of two different sizes, always choose the bigger one. It's okay to have a little more BTU than you need, just so long as it's close to the correct size.On the other hand, if the ambient temperature is too high, it can also cause insufficient cooling. As portbale AC units release cool air out into the room, they vent hot air from the compressor outside. This constant venting causes a pressure imbalance that pulls in warm air from the other areas, including adjoining rooms and the outdoors. Normally, if the room is properly sealed and all the doors and windows are closed, the air coming is never enough to overwhelm the portable AC unit.

If there's a leak, or if the ourside temperature is extremely high, the air conditioner may not be able to generate enough cold air to cool the room. Sunlight can also heat a room faster than your portable air conditioner can cool it. If temperature keeps rising, check for leaks and close the blinds. It may be enough to swing things the other way.   Portable Air Conditioner Buying Tip: Visit our sizing page to learn how to properly size a portable AC, or visit our product library to learn how to maximize your portable AC's efficiency.If your portable AC won't start, the most likely explanation is lack of power. Start by making sure the power cord is correctly plugged in and that the cord itself isn't damaged. Check the wall plug and circuit breaker as well. Try resetting the circuit at the breaker box, or changing the socket or outlet. Only after these steps have failed to resolve the problem should you take the portable air conditioner to a qualified electrician to have the fuse replaced. 

Check to make sure the timer is not on, as an active timer can cause the unit to cease operation. Also, if  the ambient temperature in your room is lower than the set temperature, this may cause your portable air conditioner to shut off. To remedy this, shut the unit down and wait for the room temperature to rise before turning the the unit back on again. There are many reaons for lack of air flow. The most common cause is a clogged filter. Remove the grill in the back of the unit and clean any excess dust off the filter with a brush or a vacuum, then rinse if off with some running water. Also check for clogs in the evaporator or condenser coils, which you can see in the top compartment of the AC unit after you remove the grill and filters. If you spot any, remove them with your vacuum hose attachment. The second reason your portable air conditioner may not be venting air is frost on the cooling coils, also known as the evaporator coils. This happens when the low temperatures around the coils causes water to condense. 

If the water doesn't drain properly, it can build up and freeze around the coils, hampering air flow. To check the coils the same as above. Remove the back grill and the filters and inspect the top compartment. If you see any fronst, turn the unit off and let it defrost. Once the ice has melted, normal operation should resume. Read our article on automatic defrosting and frozen AC coils to learn more. The third reason may be the compressor has overheated. Check the hose and window unit to make sure they're still venting air properly. If the portable AC is unable can't vent the heat generated by the compressor, it will build up inside the unit and cause the compressor to shut down. Straighten the hose, remove any blockages, and position the unit further away from the window. If the it's too close, the hose can sag restrict air flow (visit our venting FAQ to learn more). Let the unit cool for 15-30 minutes and then turn it back on. Normal operation should resume. If it doesn't, it's time to call a qualified professional.