You switch on the aircon, and the whole room goes dark. Then you’re standing at the DB box with your phone torch. A tripping breaker is annoying, but it’s also doing its job: it switches the power off when something isn’t right. The question is what.
First, stay safe
If the breaker trips again straight after you reset it, leave it off. Don’t keep resetting it, and don’t try to open up the aircon yourself. Repeated tripping is a sign to call a technician.
Common causes
Water where it shouldn’t be. A blocked drain or a dirty unit can let water reach electrical parts. This is one of the more common causes we see, and regular servicing helps prevent it.
A failing compressor or fan motor. As parts wear, they can draw more power when starting, which trips the breaker.
A faulty capacitor. A small part, but when it fails the compressor struggles to start.
Wiring or isolator problems. Loose or damaged wiring, sometimes from an old installation, sometimes from pests.
Too much on one circuit. Aircon plus water heater plus oven on the same circuit can be too much. If it only trips when everything’s running, this is likely.
What you can check yourself
Note when it trips: on start-up, after a few minutes, or only in the rain. Check whether there’s water dripping from the indoor unit. That information helps us find the cause faster.
What we do
We check the wiring, the isolator, the capacitor and the compressor, find the actual cause, and give you a clear quote before any repair.
Breaker keeps tripping? WhatsApp us with when it happens, or book a repair check online.