How to Reset a Tripped Circuit Breaker in Your AC
Living in a warm climate often means relying heavily on a reliable air conditioning system to beat the heat. Unfortunately, Tripped circuit breakers can lead to a total AC breakdown. Thankfully, resetting a tripped breaker is a relatively simple process.
Check Your Breaker Box
The first thing that needs to be done when resetting a tripped circuit breaker is to locate the breaker box. Breakers are typically found in a utility closet, garage, or basement of a house. It will likely be labeled “main breaker box” or something similar and feature a door that can be opened.
If you can’t identify the box on your own, it’s wise to use the services of an experienced electrician. An electrician will be able to locate the box, help reset the breaker in a safe and effective manner, and possibly recommend further action if the breaker trips again after resetting the box.
Find the Tripped Breaker
Once the box has been located, you should be able to find the tripped breaker. This is likely to be a switch with a red toggle and will be pushed in or slightly off center as opposed to the other switches in the box, which should all be in the “on” position.
Under certain circumstances, a tripped breaker may appear to still be in the “on” position, but will actually be in the “off” position if you try to reset it. To reset the breaker, flip the switch off and then away from the “off” direction in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
Check the Circuit
Once the breaker has been reset, it’s important to check the circuit. Turn on the AC, as well as any other relevant appliances that you may have such as refrigerators or microwaves. If the breaker trips again, it’s time to contact an electrician for more help.
If the AC and other appliances appear to be working, then it’s time to begin troubleshooting why the circuit breaker tripped in the first place. In addition to a faulty AC unit, the breaker could have tripped due to a short circuit or another cause. Prolonged power outages, overloaded outlets, and water infiltration can also result in a tripped breaker.
Get Professional Advice
If you encounter a tripped circuit breaker in your home, you’ll want to seek the help of a local appliance repair service to ensure that your AC is running safely and effectively. A professional AC technician will be able to diagnose the problem, check the circuit, and get your AC cooling again quickly and with their help, you’ll be able to reset the breaker in the future and stay cool during the summer months. Local Reliable Appliance Repair can provide quick and professional service to get your air conditioner running again. Call them at (866) 311-8590.
Tripped Circuit Breaker Solutions
The occurrence of Tripped circuit breakers is commonly caused by an overload of current in the circuit. This overload can be caused by power surges from external sources such as lightning strikes, or from too much load being placed on the circuit. Regardless of the cause, tripped circuit breakers can lead to serious problems in your home, like an electrical fire, if left unaddressed. To help prevent these issues, here are some manufacturer recommendations, local appliance companies’ or HVAC technician’s recommendations regarding preventive action to avoid tripped circuit breakers:
Inspect and Test All Circuit Breakers
One of the best preventive measures you can take to avoid tripped circuit breakers is to regularly test and inspect all circuit breakers in your home. This can be done easily by consulting a local HVAC technician. They will be able to evaluate your breakers and any existing outlets and determine whether or not they are working properly. This type of professional inspection is important for detecting early signs of any potential electrical problems in your home.
Update Warning Devices
Having the most up-to-date warning devices can help to reduce the chances of experiencing problems with tripped circuit breakers. It is recommended to install arc-fault circuit interrupter (AFCI) outlets to recognize any danger of arcing or sparking in your circuits as well as ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlets to identify any electrical problems that may lead to a shock risk. It is also important to make sure all smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and other protectors are operational.
Use Surge Protectors
Power surges in your home can cause current overloads. To prevent this from happening, it is important to install surge protectors. Those will help to provide protection for all devices in your home, like computers and TVs, against unexpected power surges. Also, make sure you don’t overload outlets with too many plugs.
Heating and Cooling System Maintenance
To help prevent tripped circuit breakers during the summer and winter seasons, it is recommended to regularly maintain your heating and cooling system. This kind of routine maintenance should include checking all refrigerant levels, belts, wiring, and all components of the system. This is also the time when professionals can reset the power to your system and make any necessary adjustments as well.
Call a Professional
When it comes to residential electrical issues, it is best to rely on the expert experience of a certified HVAC technician. They will be able to inspect your entire electrical system and determine any issues that could be contributing to tripped circuit breakers. They can also make any necessary repairs or adjustments that your home may need. It is also important to call a qualified technician when you are undertaking any complex electrical projects such as wiring entire houses or major appliance installations.
In summary, tripped circuit breakers can lead to serious problems in the home, and it is important to take preventive action and maintain your home’s electrical system in order to avoid any potential issues. This can include regularly inspecting and testing your circuit breakers, updating warning devices, using surge protectors, regularly maintaining your heating and cooling system, and relying on the expertise of a professional HVAC technician when necessary.
Average Repair Cost for Tripped Circuit Breaker
Fixing a tripped circuit breaker can cost between minimum of $75 and a maximum of $85 for labor cost, assuming prices are up 20% now. This repair cost varies depending on the complexity of the repair or installation in the city of California.
To do this repair, certain parts can be necessary and can incur additional cost. These parts might include but are not limited to:
* Lugs and lugs box ($3-$7, depending on type)
* AC service disconnect ($2-$7)
* Grounding and bonding hardware ($20-$25)
* Conduit ($2-$6/foot)
The cost of materials required for repair is also variable, depending on what parts are needed. Be sure to evaluate the condition of the circuit breaker and decide which parts need to be replaced.
For the best professional advice, we recommend customers call a local, reliable air conditioning and heating service, such as Local Reliable Air Conditioning & Heating. This can ensure that all repairs are done correctly and safely.
Tripped Circuit Breakers: Protecting Your Home & Appliances
Are you having trouble with your appliances or HVAC system? It may be a tripped circuit breaker causing the issue. A tripped circuit breaker is a safety device that is intended to protect electrical circuits from overload and short circuits.
If you’re in need of fast, reliable circuit breaker resolution – then you can trust California Reliable Air Conditioning & Heating. As a family-owned company, our team of experts have a minimum of 5 years experience in the field of HVAC and appliance repair and installation. We are fully licensed and insured, and our services come with a 90-day warranty on all repairs.
Our same-day services on tripped circuit breakers save time and money by efficiently diagnosing and correcting the issue. We provide the highest quality service at the most competitive rates. We take the safety of your home and appliances seriously, and our experienced technicians are here to assist you with any concerns you may have.
If you’re looking for reliable, trustworthy HVAC and appliance services – then call California Reliable Air Conditioning & Heating. Our friendly and knowledgeable technicians will be happy to help. Contact us today and let us help you in keeping your home and appliances safe and secure!
FAQ: Resetting a Tripped Circuit Breaker in Your AC
How do I know if I have a tripped circuit breaker?
Your electrical breaker box should have a tripped breaker switch that is in a slightly different position than the others. If the switch appears to be in the center position, the breaker may need to be reset. You can usually determine this by gently pushing the switch on the breaker box.
How do I reset a tripped AC circuit breaker?
Resetting a tripped AC circuit breaker is relatively straightforward. Start by locating the circuit breaker box, which will be located near the AC unit. Next, locate the switched that needs to be reset. Check to ensure that the switch itself is in the off position. Now, gently position the switch in the on position – it should easily click in place. Give the switch a minute to ensure that it works, and then your AC system should function properly once again.
What else do I need to check for if my circuit breaker keeps tripping?
If the circuit breaker trips again after it has been reset, there may be an underlying issue with your AC system. If this is the case, you may need to call a professional AC technician to assess the situation and determine what needs to be done to fix the problem. Local Reliable Appliance Repair is available at (866) 311-8590 to provide you with prompt and professional service that you can trust.