Midea
Electrical Short or Ground Fault
Freezer trips household breaker or GFCI outlet 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 winding, Damaged power cord, Moisture in electrical components, Shorted main control board
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Do not repeatedly reset a breaker that trips immediately; this indicates a potentially dangerous fault.
Steps:
- Visual inspection: Unplug the freezer and inspect the power cord, plug, and rear components for burn marks or melted insulation.
- Dry out moisture: If the unit was recently defrosted or moved, allow it to dry for several hours before retrying.
- Compressor test: A technician can test compressor windings for shorts to ground. A grounded compressor will trip breakers and requires replacement.
- Board inspection: Check the main control board for obvious shorts or burnt components.
Recommendation: Due to shock and fire risk, have a qualified technician diagnose and repair ground faults.
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Repair Difficulty
Professional Required
5/5
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