You come home after a long, hot day. You settle into your comfy seat and turn on your air-conditioner – only for it to automatically shut off, or worse, cause the power in your entire house to go out.
Before you call an electrician to check the problem, it’s worth understanding the possible causes.
A power trip is when the circuit breakers in your house cut off power in one area or the entirety of your house. Every house has a service panel – also called a distribution box (DB) – where electricity flows through. Inside this panel, circuit breakers detect changes in current.
These are designed to shut off if they detect an overload, short circuit, sudden surge, or electrocution. This helps protect wiring from overheating and causing a fire, and surges from damaging other areas of the house. It also, generally, protects lives.
Here three reasons your aircon might be causing a power trip:
- Compressor damage
The outdoor unit contains a compressor, which is located in the outdoor unit and can experience wear and tear due to exposure to the elements. A damaged compressor may draw too much amperage and create a short circuit, causing the power to trip.
Unfortunately, this vital component is one of the most expensive to replace. Prices could start from RM500 for a traditional split unit, excluding labour. It might cost even more if you live in a high-rise, as many condos use one outdoor unit to power multiple indoor air-conditioners.
- Bad wiring
An aircon’s internal system is made up of a complex network of components and wires that keeps it running smoothly. Over many years of service, the wires could become loose, or the insulation could get worn out, leading to a short circuit.
Frayed or loose wiring are also an electrocution hazard. If the aircon keeps tripping, call a technician or electrician to check on the issue as soon as possible.
- Too many appliances
You probably know you shouldn’t connect too many appliances into one extension plug. Similarly, you should not install too many air-conditioner units using the same power supply.
In electrical terms, every house is divided into zones, and each zone is connected to a single circuit breaker, which allows a maximum amount of power. The kitchen may be rated 5,000W, for example, and the bedrooms 4,000W.
Hence, if you plug a 1,000W aircon, a 1,500W kettle, and a 1,500W iron in a single zone and switch them all on at once, you run dangerously close to the limit. This will almost certainly trip the circuit breakers.
Other problems
Sometimes the issue could be within the aircon unit itself, such as:
- Clogged air filter
A clogged air filter is usually due to infrequent maintenance. The buildup of dust, dirt, and other airborne particles trapped by moisture can cause the motor fan to work extra hard to get to the desired temperature.
This results in trapped heat, overheating the motor and causing the unit to cut off on its own.
By keeping to a regular cleaning schedule, you will be able to keep the filter from clogging and the motor fan from overworking.
- Dirty condenser or evaporator coils
Your aircon unit contains metal coils that transfer heat from inside the room to outside. Dirty coils prevent this from happening efficiently, which, again, could cause the motor to overheat or break down.
- Refrigerant issues
If your aircon gas or refrigerant has leaked out, your aircon would require more time to cool the air. This would cause it to work at maximum power for longer, which could cause overheating and a power cutoff.
If your circuit breakers trip, take a look at your DB, which is usually behind your front door or in a wiring closet near the entrance. It consists of two types of circuit breakers.
The miniature circuit breaker (MCB) trips in case of an overload in a given zone; while the residual current circuit breaker (RCCB) – formerly known as the electric leakage circuit breaker, or ELCB – trips in case of electrocution, or current being grounded unexpectedly.
If only one of the MCBs has tripped, this helps you narrow down the problem: you likely have too many appliances turned on in that area of your home. If the RCCB has tripped, it could be a sign of damaged wiring or electrical components.
Remember, power trips are a sign of larger issues that could result in damage, burns, fires, or electrocution. It’s always best to call a professional technician or electrician.
This article originally appeared on Recommend.my – Malaysia’s #1 Home Improvement Services Platform, offering a safer and more convenient way to hire the best home improvement and home maintenance professionals. From flooring to interior design to air-conditioner servicing, get access to thousands of the best local contractors and professionals at your fingertips.