our central h/a unit is tripping the breaker

[nathan104]

Our central heat and air unit has started tripping the breaker. Its not a heat pump but the older central unit with the heat strips for the heat. Had no problems with it last winter or all summer with the a/c on. but, when we switched it to the heater, it has started to trip the breaker. It doesnt do it right away if the breaker is reset, but will retrip it within a day.

Any suggestions on what I might be able to check on myself before I call someone out? Thanks.

[mdharris68]

Remove any power to the unit, and first check for a loose / partially burnt wire. Check every place a wire connects. If you find no loose wires, but I bet you do, call a service person to figure it out.

[Ross]

Could be the blower motor too or a weak breaker but you'd need a clamp meter to check the draw, after checking connections etc.

[ninny]

Check the connection on the breaker itself. If the connection comes loose over a period of time the breaker will heat up and trip.

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[pheasantplucker]

I just had the exact same thing happen this past autumn. I don't mind doing overhead light fixture stuff, or new dishwasher stuff, but as far as the panel...I leave that to the pros. Discovered that my line coming in was about half eroded from water, etc. (original from @1948). They switched out the panel and upgraded me to 150 amp service, and gave me a new line feeding into the house...($1350)

[VERN in IL]

Replace the breakers, mine did the same thing. New breakers fixed the problem.

[BaronsMom]

My breakers tripped only twice - for two different reasons - both related to safety:

1. Some birds and nest junk and a brick had fallen into the large pipe leading from the unit and blocked it. Heating/ac guy came and removed the vent pipe and unplugged it.

2. The gas company did some work on the line and crushed a pipe leading into my home causing a major problem - thankfully the furnace breaker tripped and we were able to prevent a disaster