Ruud
High Inrush Current / Electrical Overload
Ruud air conditioner causes lights to dim or breaker to trip when starting.
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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
Weak compressor, No soft-start or hard-start kit on marginal electrical service, Undersized breaker or wiring, Failing compressor drawing excessive amps
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Electrical work should be done by qualified personnel. Do not oversize breakers beyond manufacturer specifications.
- Step 1 – Verify breaker size: Check the Ruud unit’s nameplate for minimum circuit ampacity (MCA) and maximum overcurrent protection (MOCP). Ensure the installed breaker matches these values.
- Step 2 – Inspect wiring: Confirm wire gauge matches the MCA and run length. Undersized wire can cause voltage drop and dimming.
- Step 3 – Consider hard-start kit: A technician can install a Ruud-approved hard-start kit to reduce inrush current and ease compressor startup.
- Step 4 – Compressor evaluation: If high inrush persists, a technician should measure LRA and running amps to determine if the compressor is failing.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
Required Part
Hard-Start Kit
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