3 Electrical Problems That Cause Your AC To Malfunction

Air conditioners are complex pieces of equipment with a variety of parts that can malfunction. If you keep up with maintenance, your AC should break down less often, but when your air conditioner gets old, breakdowns may become more frequent, and you may begin to experience trouble with the electrical system. Here are three things that can go wrong with the electrical system in your AC and the repairs it might need.

1. Wiring Becomes Loose

When wires get loose, your AC might start to operate erratically. If the wires in the thermostat are affected, your AC might not cycle on and off properly. Loose wires can also cause a short that blows a fuse in the AC. An AC repair technician can test the electrical system and track down the loose wiring and tighten the connections. They may need to replace a fuse too, and then your air conditioner should operate normally again.

2. A Fuse Gets Dirty or Old

An air conditioner fuse is supposed to last a long time, but when it's near the end of the fuse's life, the fuse may die due to the strain of constant use over the years. When a fuse blows, it can be replaced easily. However, the repair technician may want to uncover the reason for the blown fuse. If the cause was something other than old age, then additional AC repairs may be needed.

A common reason for a blown fuse is a dirty fuse. If you skip annual cleaning of your AC, dirt builds up inside the unit and can affect the fuse on the control panel or in the disconnect box. While the fuse can be replaced once it's blown, you can prevent this problem through annual cleaning and servicing of your air conditioner.

3. The Compressor Strains the Electrical System

A strain on the electrical system will cause a fuse to blow and your AC to shut down. When there is a short or a heavy power draw on the electrical system, the fuse is supposed to shut the AC off for safety reasons. This might happen when wires in the AC short out, when the motor wears out and puts strain on the capacitor, or when the compressor starts to fail. Even excessively hot weather can cause your AC to strain.

If your AC has to work harder than usual or shortens cycles by turning on and off frequently, the electrical system may shut down and then an AC repair technician has to figure out what caused the problem. They might need to replace wiring, put in a new capacitor, or install a new motor to get your AC working properly. If the compressor fails, the repair technician might have to replace it or replace the entire condenser.

For more information about what AC repairs your unit might require, contact a local AC technician.