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Our air conditioner occasionally blows a fuse. Any idea what needs to be done and how much money to fix?

March 31st, 2009 · 7 Comments · Air Conditioners

It doesn't happen often, but every now and then, right as the air conditioner tries to kick on, it will blow a fuse, and I'll need to go to the fusebox to reset that particular fuse. Then it's fine, and the air conditioner works no problem. This doesn't happen very often, but it is annoying.

Anyone experience a problem like this before, and any idea what needs to be done and what cost something like this should be for an electrician? Thanks.



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7 responses so far ↓

  • 1 bounce // Mar 31, 2009 at 11:59 pm

    When an a/c first starts up, it uses a higher amp draw to initiate compressor(this is called inrush). If it plugged into a 120v wall outlet then that a/c in addition to anything else on that circuit other plugs, lights, etc put too much amp draw on that circuit. Older models tend to have more draw than newer ones. An electrician can probe the circuit to see how much draw is on it. If it is within limits he can then check to see if the a/c is drawing an abnormal amount of amps on start up. A/C's should be on a circuit all by themselves for the inrush reason so If possible have electrician run a dedicated 20 amp circuit for the a/c, this will alleviate the problem. If not feasible then you can try reducing draw on circuit from other locations .

  • 2 kunjaldp // Mar 31, 2009 at 11:59 pm

    I think it might posiible that the breaker can't handle the load. For example if your AC is 15 amps and braker is 10 amps them its possible.

    You should have an electrician look at it. Its easy to change breaker but just to be on safe side.

  • 3 tvlscat@flash.net // Mar 31, 2009 at 11:59 pm

    Kunjaldp is exactly right.

  • 4 dorioncanada // Mar 31, 2009 at 11:59 pm

    do you ahve a fuse box or a breaker box. if you're just switching it back on it's a breaker box.

    you need an electrician to put in a bigger breaker, or add one and wire a seperate plug for the a/c cuz they suck up a lot of juice.

    if it's jsut a small window unit you cuold also track down other appliances that are plugged onto the same breaker. older homes weren't wired to handle a lot of energy use so you might find half the lights on the same fuse. just turning off a few lights might help but your real problem is you need a seperate breaker for any appliance that's going to draw a lot of power.

  • 5 bunnyhead // Mar 31, 2009 at 11:59 pm

    Could be a weakening fuse or a nicked wire that is touching something somewhere. Could be several things, sounds like an electrician or an HVAC service person could attempt to look for the short while the fuse was blown, if you didn't reset. Probably run you 100-200 for trip and labor. But, it could run more because you might be looking for a needle in a haystack you just never know. OR if this a plug in A/c then it might just be too big for the circuit and it blows it now and then.

  • 6 jollygreen60 // Mar 31, 2009 at 11:59 pm

    In addition the the other answers you have gotten, the comp[ressor may be on its way out, it may be trying to restart to soon; until the refrigerant pressures equalize, the compressor will bne starting against this excessive pressure, and draw more amps to try to start against it. If it draws a lot more than the fuse/breaker can handle for more than a second or two, it will blow/trip.

    Do not turn the thermostat off, then right back on again. This will cause the same problem described above.

  • 7 hghjsln // Mar 31, 2009 at 11:59 pm

    NOT ENOUGH INFO TO GIVE A GOOD ANSWER.
    THIS IS A WINDOW UNIT OR A CENTRAL UNIT?
    THE NAMEPLATE TELLS THE FLA(FULL LOAD AMPS). WHAT IS THAT
    No.?
    THE BREAKER IS HOW MANY AMPS?
    DON'T PUT IN A LARGER BREAKER UNTIL YOU CHECK YOUR
    INSURANCE POLICY AND SEE IF IT IS ENOUGH.

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