Forum Discussion

lgmoreland's avatar
lgmoreland
Explorer
Jun 05, 2017

A/C Breaker Tripping

I'm having issues with the breaker on the A/C circuit tripping. I run a P.I. EMS 30 amp protector that is connected to the electricity pole. What is odd to me, is that it is popping in the middle of the night, when there is no other draws on that circuit. Could it be just a bad breaker?
  • Yes could be.
    But....is it also a GFI ?
    If that is the case, the moisture in the night air could be getting into something and making a leakage path to ground.
  • It could very well be a bad breaker. You really need an amp meter to check the actual current. Otherwise your just guessing.
  • It may be that the air conditioner compressor is short cycling in the middle of the night.
  • I had my 20 amp A/C breaker start tripping randomly for no apparent reason. Replaced it and no more tripping. But mine was tripping during the hottest part of the day (100+) and OK after it cooled off some in the evening.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    You may have done this already but I would make sure the filters are OK and the unit is getting good air flow. Also do you see any signs of icing up during the night. The ICING UP has happened to me a few times and this happens when it is very HUMID outside... I could actually see ice formed on the air conditioner cores looking up from inside the trailer with the filter removed... This would also show up as dripping water on the inside of the trailer...

    In my case this was a rare event so I really don't know what I did if anything to prevent it from happening... I don't recall any tripping of the circuit breaker but I could hear my 13,500 BTU Air Conditioner working alot harder. The ICING UP may be one of those things where the inside of the trailer may not be sealed up as good as a house air conditioning unit might be and a very high humidity night triggers it...

    This was happening in my OFF-ROAD POPUP trailer with fabric window flaps and walls...

    Roy Ken
  • Check the wires on the back of the breaker to make sure they are tight.

    Be very careful