10 Aug Electrical Issues with Your A/C: Common Problems Explained
The constant running of your air conditioner all summer long can put a strain on your unit and lead to the need for electrical repairs. It’s never a good idea to attempt to repair your own A/C, as you can cause further damage to the unit and put yourself at risk for an injury. At the first sign of an electrical problem, turn to your local professionals to help. Here are the most common electrical problems that can develop with your air conditioning unit:
Problems With Wiring:
Since the wires in your AC system are prone to fraying and corroding (especially if exposed to the outdoor elements), electrical connections and contacts should be checked during a professional service call. Wires can be easily replaced, but until you have them serviced, their ability to deliver electricity correctly will be affected.
Capacitor Issues:
Capacitors are used in a number of air conditioning systems to help the different motors in the system operate efficiently. The two types of capacitors–start and run–can begin to malfunction due to age or damage, and will affect the motors that they are attached to. If a capacitor fails to operate, the motor will either not run at all, or will prohibit your A/C from getting cool.
Overloading Circuit Breaker:
If your A/C keeps tripping, there might be an issue with your circuit breaker. Air conditioners draw a lot of power, so much so, that sometimes they need to have their own circuit breaker in your electrical panel. If you suspect your circuit breaker is overloaded, it could be the result of two this: your unit is drawing too much power, or your breaker is faulty. Either way, you need to turn to your local professionals to help fix the problem. Do not attempt to make any at-home repairs to your electrical panels, as it can be very dangerous to play around with.
Are you noticing that your air conditioner is tripping? Or perhaps your unit isn’t cooling off the room. It sounds like it’s time for a service call from Wahl Family Heating, Cooling & Plumbing. We’re here to help answer all of your air conditioning questions. To schedule an appointment, give us a call at (412) 265-2662 or visit our website to learn more about the services we offer.