6 Possible Causes That Result In Your Furnace Tripping The Circuit Breaker
- 1. Clogged Furnace Filter The furnace filter traps dust, dirt, and other contaminants. ...
- 2. Furnace Motor Problems The furnace motor might be malfunctioning. ...
- 3. Obstructed Air Vents Or Registers Your furnace will also overload the breaker and cause it to trip if the air vents are blocked. ...
- 4. Leak In The HVAC Ductwork ...
- 5. Electric Panel Needs To Be Repaired ...
- 6. The Circuit Is Overloaded ...
Why does my furnace keep tripping the breaker?
The most common cause for your furnace to trip your circuit breaker in your blower motor overworking itself. The blower motor can begin to overwork itself when air flow to the motor becomes restricted. One of the largest causes of this is a dirty air filter.
Can a thermostat trip a breaker?
If there's an issue with the wiring to your thermostat, such as a short, this could cause your breaker to trip.
How do I find out what's tripping my circuit breaker?
To help determine what caused the problem, unplug all the items on the circuit before resetting the breaker. After it's reset and rested for a few minutes, turn on or plugin items, one at a time, to determine what may have caused the overload.
What two conditions cause a breaker to trip?
A circuit breaker will usually trip when there is an electrical fault that could cause damage to the circuit. This is usually an excess of current, a power surge or a faulty component.
Can a dirty condenser trip a breaker?
Dirty Condenser Coil This may not make sense, but a dirty condenser coil can cause your system to trip the circuit breaker. Condenser coils can become dirty if you have not been taking care of the air conditioner.
Which breaker is for furnace?
Your furnace would have a dedicated circuit breaker right in your panel box. A furnace usually has a double-pole breaker because of its high electricity loads, which are usually between 60 to 80 amps. So if you have a furnace and see a double-pole breaker in your panel, that's probably it.
Should I be worried if my breaker keeps tripping?
Don't ignore a circuit breaker that keeps tripping. This is a sign that one of your circuits is getting overloaded on a regular basis. Your circuits are only able to handle up to a certain level of voltage. Beyond this voltage, you run the risk of starting an electrical fire.
Can a tripped breaker cause a fire?
Opacity. Circuit breakers are designed to keep you and your family safe from fire, but one brand of breaker might not only fail to protect your family — it could actually cause a fire.
How many times can a breaker trip?
According to UL 489 regulations, the Miniature Circuit Breaker (MCB) or the typical circuit breaker in most homes and commercial electrical systems can last up to 10,000 operations. Hence, repeated tripping is unlikely to ruin such a device, at least not before long.
How do I find a short in my house wiring?
0:063:40SureTrace™ Circuit Tracer Finding a Short - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd using a simple continuity tester determine which of the conductors are actually shorted togetherMoreAnd using a simple continuity tester determine which of the conductors are actually shorted together in that circuit.
How do you stop a breaker from tripping?
The easiest way to prevent your circuit breaker from constantly tripping is to simply not overload one circuit. Keeping your electrical load split between multiple circuits means each breaker won't have to bear the full load of current flowing through.
Is it safe to reset a tripped breaker?
Remember that it is safe to reset a circuit breaker, especially when you're only doing it once after the sudden tripping occurs. On the other hand, calling a professional is needed if you still find the circuit breaker not working after you reset it.
Do I need to turn off the power to change a thermostat?
The first step in how to install a thermostat is making sure the power is turned off to your existing thermostat. Turn off the power for your heating and air conditioning system at the main service panel. Its circuit breaker should be clearly labeled.
How do I stop my AC from tripping the breaker?
AC circuit breaker tripping: WHAT TO DO FIRSTTurn the air conditioning system OFF at the thermostat(s).At your electrical panel, turn the AC circuit breaker switch to the ON position.IMPORTANT: wait 30 minutes with the air conditioner OFF. ... After 30 minutes, set your air conditioner back to COOL.
Are thermostat wires hot?
Hotwires. Home thermostats generally receive their low 24V AC electrical power from a low voltage transformer. Thus, although the wires carry power it is low voltage power. The wires providing the power are often called “hot” wires and are providing a source of 24V power that is coming from the HVAC control board.
Where does a thermostat get power from?
low voltage transformerMost room thermostats on heating and cooling systems receive their 24V AC electrical power from a low voltage transformer that itself is usually found at the boiler or furnace (blue arrow in our photo at left).
Why does my furnace tripping the breaker?
There are multiple reasons why your furnace may be tripping your circuit breaker. Let’s go over 6 common ones. 1. Your Furnace Filter Is Dirty. When the air filter in your HVAC system is clogged, it prevents free airflow. This, in turn, causes your system to use additional power to heat your home.
Why does my furnace motor trip?
It is possible that over time, your furnace motor wiring has been affected due to wear and tear. This can easily cause the circuit breaker to trip. If you suspect that this is the issue, call an HVAC company right away to replace the motor. Regularly maintain the furnace to prevent this from occurring in the future.
Why Is Power Required To Run My Furnace Anyway?
Without it, the furnace will not be able to function properly. Your furnace must receive a continuous flow of power for peak performance.
Why does my furnace work harder than usual?
The Air Ducts In Your Home Are Leaking. When your HVAC system has leaky air ducts, the heated air is continuously escaping, causing your furnace to work harder than usual to heat your home. Anytime your system has to work harder than usual, the possibility of tripping your circuit breaker exists.
What happens if a furnace breaks a circuit breaker?
If the furnace trips circuit breaker then you may have a larger problem on your hands. This may lead to a safety concern and you should have a professional HVAC company come out to inspect the unit for problems. Continue reading to become more familiar with these types of problems.
Why does my furnace use more power?
Similarly to dirty air filters, blocked air vents or registers can also cause your furnace to consume more power than usual to heat your home. Do an inspection of your home and move anything that may be blocking these features such as; large pieces of furniture, clothing, or other cloth material or anything that looks like it may be preventing the airflow of your vent or register.
What are the components of a furnace?
Specifically, two components of your furnace require power. These include the blower motor and the electronic ignition.
Why does my furnace trip the breaker?
Having an airflow restriction in your furnace will cause it to trip its breaker.
Why does my breaker tripped?
There’s a chance that the circuit breaker tripped due to a temporary problem– such as a power surge or a problem from the electric company.
How many amps does a circuit breaker need?
Circuit breakers are rated for a certain amount of amps. For example, a circuit breaker could be rated for 15 amps. This means if your furnace consumes more than 15 amps at any given time, the circuit breaker will trip.
What causes a circuit breaker to tripping?
A bad blower motor is another cause for a tripping circuit breaker.
Why does my circuit breaker tripping when the blower motor comes on?
If you notice that your circuit breaker is tripping right when the blower motor tries to come on, then there’s a good chance that it’s the capacitor.
What happens when you have a dirty air filter?
When you have a dirty air filter, your furnace blower needs to work much harder to produce airflow.
What is a circuit breaker?
Circuit breakers are overload protection devices. In layman’s terms, the circuit breaker protects against dangerous amounts of electricity from flowing within the wires in your home.
Why does my furnace trip the breaker?
If your furnace trips the circuit breaker immediately upon startup, the issue likely lies within the furnace itself. An exposed bare wire inside the furnace can cause a short circuit when it comes in contact with a neutral wire, or it could cause a ground fault if it comes in contact with a grounded wire or metal object, either of which can create an excessive draw on the electric current. Call Air Experts for efficient diagnosis and repair of the problem.
Why is my furnace working overtime?
If your furnace is working overtime to keep up with demand, it can place a strain on the circuit as it utilizes more electrical current than normal . This is likely the problem if you find that your furnace powers on for just a short while before tripping the breaker. Causes of an overload can include:
What to do if your furnace is blown out after reset?
Most furnace issues are best resolved by a skilled, knowledgeable professional to avoid further damage or personal injury. If your furnace trips the breaker one or more times after it has been reset, leave the unit off and call Air Experts for repair.
What happens if an electrical panel is damaged?
If the electrical panel is outdated, damaged, or was incorrectly installed some of the connections may be loose, or the breaker itself or panel may need to be replaced.
Is my furnace overloaded?
Your Shared Circuit Is Overloaded. Most furnaces will be on a dedicated circuit, but if yours is on a shared circuit, it may be underrated for furnace use in combination with one or more additional appliances, outlets, or lights.
Can you reset a furnace breaker if it is tripped?
Not many issues rival the frustration or concern associated with the repeated tripping of a breaker, especially when it occurs during furnace operation. In the case of a one-time occurrence where the breaker was tripped, you can reset the breaker and furnace operation should continue as normal, without cause for immediate alarm. ...
Why does my furnace stop working?
Furnaces utilize electricity to work. If the circuit breaker trips, your furnace’s operation comes to a complete halt. If the cause is a power surge, a furnace reset will put things back in order. However, when a furnace trips circuit breaker over and over means that resets won’t cut it. This issue needs to be inspected immediately as it could potentially be dangerous. Have a professional help you find the root cause for this problem so that it can be resolved immediately.
Why should a furnace have its own circuit?
The furnace uses a huge amount of power to work. Connecting it to a circuit breaker along with other home appliances can cause overloading. Thus, it should have its own circuit to avoid overloading. Make sure that any power tools and lights are placed far from the furnace circuit as well.
What happens if your furnace filter is clogged?
A clogged furnace filter overworks your system. The trapped dirt, dust, and other debris restrict proper airflow. Consequently, your system uses more power so that it works as it should. The circuit can then overload, and the breaker will trip. Make sure that you conduct visual checks on your HVAC filter regularly. Clean or replace them when necessary.
Why does my duct work double time?
Any holes or gaps in your ductwork cause air to leak through and lead to system inefficiency. The warm air escapes instead of being distributed throughout your house. Therefore, your heating equipment works double-time to replace the lost heated air. This strain can cause the circuit breaker to trip.
Why does my furnace breaker trip?
Holes or gaps in the duct cause warm air to escape instead of being distributed throughout your home. It causes inefficiencies and pushes your furnace to work harder. As a result, the breaker can trip.
Why does my furnace trip?
Your furnace will also overload the breaker and cause it to trip if the air vents are blocked. This is because it will strain to meet your home’s heating demands and consume a lot of electricity. Make sure that any furniture, plants, and curtains blocking the vents are removed immediately. This way, the air can flow properly again.
Why does my furnace trip when the vents are blocked?
This is because it will strain to meet your home’s heating demands and consume a lot of electricity.
Why is my furnace motor causing a trip?
The furnace motor might be malfunctioning. For instance, the wires might be frayed, which could be what is causing the breaker to trip. Call a professional to replace the motor right away. Regular maintenance can also help ensure that the furnace motor is in tiptop shape at all times.
Can PFO help with HVAC?
Rest assured that our highly-trained techs can also help you find the best HVAC make and model when you need a replacement system. We offer affordable and the most competitive HVAC service costs in the area. All our work comes with a guarantee to ensure your satisfaction. Our friendly techs always put your home’s comfort, safety, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality first. Schedule an appointment by calling PFO Heating & Air Conditioning today. We provide free, in-home estimates.
Does a furnace have its own circuit?
Your furnace consumes a lot of electricity. Therefore, it must have its own circuit. Having it share a circuit with other appliances might cause overloading. Remember to keep other appliances, lights, and power tools away from the furnace circuit as well.
Is it dangerous to have a circuit breaker on a furnace?
Problems with the circuit breaker can possibly be dangerous. If it’s your furnace that’s causing it to trip, check the list above for the possible trigger. Do not let it turn into a more severe problem as overloading can cause fires, among other dangers. Contact your local, trusted technician immediately to help you.
Why does my furnace keep tripping?
5 Reasons Why Your Furnace Keeps Tripping Your Circuit Breaker. Every furnace is dependent in part upon electricity for normal operation. Consequently, if the circuit breaker trips, your home heating equipment can come to a stop. Your entire household will be vulnerable to the cold. Simply resetting the furnace should be sufficient ...
Why is my furnace motor causing problems?
Your Furnace Motor Is Having Issues. It could be that the actual furnace motor is faulty. After many years of service, the wiring might be wearing down. This can lead to shorts and various other problems that can cause the circuit breaker to trip.
Why is my furnace working overtime?
Your furnace might be working overtime if the unit has a clogged filter. Dirt inhibits the free flow of air, and thus, the system has to compensate by using additional power to improve its use. The resulting circuit overload will trip the breaker. Check the filter in your HVAC system and replace or clean it as needed.
What happens if the power goes off on a furnace?
This is what sends the warm air throughout the home. However, if the power goes off, this motor will stop, and warm air will stay near the furnace rather than being circulated throughout the building.
Can a furnace be isolated?
Your home furnace draws a considerable amount of power. It should be isolated on its own circuit, given that sharing a circuit with other appliances will likely result in overloading. Keep power tools, lights, and any other appliances in your home away from the circuit for your furnace.
Can you turn on a furnace without a pilot light?
However, while electric ignitions are significantly more reliable, they are also reliant upon electricity. Without power, consequently, you aren’t going to be able to turn the furnace on.
Does a furnace need electricity?
Even though a furnace largely relies on fuel for heating the indoor air, several components do need electricity. Therefore, turning the power supply off will prevent the entire system from functioning as it should. It has to have uninterrupted electricity for truly superior results.
What Should You Do If Your Furnace Trips The Circuit Breaker?
Homeowners should check the air filter on their furnace monthly. Regularly assessing the amount of dirt built up on the filter and proactively changing it will help eliminate the chances that your furnace’s performance will suffer.
Why is my furnace motor not working?
A likely culprit here is wiring that has become worn after many years of service. This can cause shorts and other issues that could trip the circuit breaker. If this is the case, an HVAC technician will need to replace the motor in your furnace. Once a new furnace motor is installed, make sure it is regularly maintained.
Why does my furnace duct work harder?
Your HVAC Ductwork Is Leaking. If your ductwork is leaking the warm air created by your furnace, it will make the furnace work even harder to attempt to reach the desired temperature in your home. This additional workload can cause the circuit breaker to trip. 5.
What to do if furnace is not working?
If your furnace is not performing optimally and you think it is due to your ductwork, call a professional HVAC contractor to inspect it and clean it if/when necessary. This job is quick and efficient when left to an expert.
Why is my furnace filter dirty?
Dirt in the filter prevents the air from flowing freely, so the system compensates by increasing the amount of power to improve heating performance. When this happens, the circuit can become overloaded and trip the breaker. If the HVAC filter appears dirty, replace it. After, create a schedule whereby you check the furnace filter every month and replace it when necessary to avoid this issue.
Why should a furnace be on its own circuit?
Your furnace requires a lot of power. As such, it should be on its own circuit to lessen the chances of overloading your furnace. Lights, appliances, and electrical outlets should not share a circuit with your furnace.
Does a furnace need electricity?
Another component within a furnace that may require electricity is the ignition. While electronic ignitions are more reliable than the pilot lights found in older furnaces, its downfall is that it does depend on electricity to function. Therefore, if your furnace has an electronic ignition, but you have no electricity, then your furnace will not turn on.
What happens if a furnace trips a circuit breaker?
If the furnace trips circuit breaker for some reason, your home furnace will come to a grinding halt and leave you vulnerable to the cold. If an event like this is the result of a rare power surge, then simply resetting your furnace should restore normal functioning. However, if your furnace trips circuit breaker repeatedly, ...
Why is my furnace on a separate circuit?
Furnaces draw a significant amount of power. It is best to have this on its own separate circuit because sharing it with other appliances can result in an overload. Keep power tools, lights, and all other appliances away from the circuit for your furnace.
Why is there a leak in my HVAC ductwork?
There’s A Leak In Your HVAC Ductwork. Air leaks in your HVAC ductwork can cause inefficiencies throughout your heating system. Your furnace is going to work twice as hard to replace any air that is lost through the leaks. This extra demand can cause the circuit breaker to trip. 5.
Why is my furnace overworking?
Your furnace may be overworking as the result of a dirty, clogged filter. With too much dirt, there isn’t a free airflow. Thus, the system has to overcompensate by using additional power to boost its overall performance. This can overload the circuit and cause the breaker to trip.
How to keep HVAC vents open?
Move any curtains, furnishings, or other items that might be blocking your HVAC vents. Keep these vents open in every room, even in rooms that aren’t in use.
Why does my furnace take so much power?
A furnace will start working harder to keep the home warm. Thereby, it consumes far more power than normal. Check to see if any obstructions are blocking your vents such as closed curtains or large furnishings. Move these things out of the way to restore normal airflow.
Does Lawes have HVAC?
Our priorities are energy efficiency, home comfort, and optimum indoor air qualities, among many other things. Call Lawes Company now to get a no-cost, in-home estimate.
