Electrical Problems That Can Result in Your AC Failure

HVAC is an elaborate system that is composed of multiple moving parts, which run on electricity. HVAC systems are one of the largest consumers of power in your Bay Area house. All the power to your system is what keeps your house cool. It is easy to see then, that any problem with respect to electricity or wiring could result in issues for your air conditioner.ACs are high voltage devices and if you are not a trained and licensed electrician or technician, you should not attempt to undertake any unit inspection or repair work by yourself.

If you want to take care of your AC, you must understand how electrical problems can do damage to your unit, so that you can take adequate precautionary measures.

1. AC failure post a power outage

If there has been a thunder storm in your area, heavy rains and lightning strikes could cause a power outage. When the power returns, there is a sudden power surge to your system that trips the circuit breaker. This happens in order to protect your equipment from receiving too much power at once.

You can check the circuit breaker and reset it if it has tripped. If the system does not turn on or trips again even after resetting, your AC has probably faced more damage and must be inspected by a trained technician.

2. AC does not turn off

ACs run until the desired temperature is reached and then, are expected to shut off automatically. If this does not happen, the reason could be problems in the electric controls. AC sensors may have moved from their place or the thermostat may be malfunctioning. If your AC does not turn off when it is supposed to, there will be high consumption of electricity, energy wastage and high utility bills.

3. The circuit breaker trips frequently

When current flow gets too high, the circuit breaker trips in order to prevent too much power going straight to your system and damaging it. If it trips again even after you reset it, do not tamper with it further, or it could lead to a potential fire. The circuit breaker is protecting your equipment from harm.You need to inspect your system for faulty wiring, a bad capacitator or a short fuse, if the circuit breaker trips often. Even refrigerant leaks can cause this to happen. So, make sure that your AC maintenance includes checking and topping up of the coolant.

The circuit breaker trips when your system is overheating. This can happen when you are facing fan motor issues too.

4. Overconsumption of electricity

If you notice that your electricity bill is rising steeply, even though you have not made any major changes to the AC settings or in usage, there may be problems in the system causing your unit to run longer than required. This results in overheating of your AC which can further damage the various components. Even a minor issue like lack of cleaning can become a major cause of AC failure.