American Standard
Breaker Trip on Startup
American Standard air conditioner trips the breaker when it starts
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Shorted compressor, Shorted condenser fan motor, Failing dual run capacitor, Oversized or weak breaker
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Do not repeatedly reset a tripping breaker. Turn off the breaker and outdoor disconnect before inspection.
- Inspect wiring and components: Remove the outdoor unit panel and look for burnt wires, melted insulation, or obvious shorts to the cabinet.
- Check capacitor (visual): Replace a bulged or leaking capacitor with the correct rating.
- Do not upsize breaker: Never install a larger breaker than specified on the American Standard unit nameplate. This is a fire hazard.
- Professional testing: A technician should test compressor and fan motor windings for shorts to ground and measure inrush current.
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Repair Difficulty
Professional Required
5/5
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