AC keeps tripping the breaker? What it means and what to do

Reset once, then stop

1. Turn the thermostat to Off.
2. At the panel, push the AC breaker fully off, then back on. A tripped breaker often sits in the middle.
3. Wait a few minutes, then set the thermostat to Cool.
4. If it trips again, leave it off and call. Repeated resets can overheat wiring and damage the compressor.

Also check for a burning smell, scorch marks at the outdoor disconnect box, or a buzzing sound. If you notice any of those, keep the power off.

Common causes

Failing capacitor

A weak capacitor makes the compressor or fan motor struggle to start, drawing excess current. One of the most common summer failures in our heat.

Compressor problems

A compressor that's hard-starting, overheating or has a shorted winding can trip the breaker right after start-up. Diagnosis tells you whether it's a starting component or the compressor itself.

Dirty outdoor coil or failing fan motor

If the condenser can't shed heat, pressures and current rise until something trips.

Wiring and connections

Loose, corroded or damaged wiring, often at the outdoor disconnect, and more common near the coast where salt attacks connections.

Wrong or worn breaker

Breakers wear out, and some systems were installed on a breaker sized wrong for the equipment. The nameplate on the outdoor unit lists the correct maximum breaker size.

After storms and outages

Surges after storms and grid restoration are hard on capacitors, contactors and control boards. After an outage, leave the AC off for a few minutes once power is back. A whole-home or AC surge protector is cheap insurance. See hurricane-season AC prep.

When to call

Any repeat trip is a call. Every repair is performed by a Florida state-licensed CAC contractor. We find the cause, show you what failed, and give you a flat written price before the repair.