Fraser-Johnston
Electrical Overload or Short Circuit
Furnace occasionally trips the household circuit breaker.
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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 blower motor windings, Shorted inducer motor, Pinched wiring in furnace cabinet, Oversized or undersized breaker
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Do not repeatedly reset a tripping breaker without finding the cause. Risk of fire or equipment damage.
- Inspect wiring: With power off, look for burned, pinched, or exposed wires inside the furnace.
- Check motors: Smell near the blower and inducer motors for burnt odor. Motors that are very hot or smell burnt may be failing.
- Professional testing: A technician should measure motor current draw and insulation resistance, and verify correct breaker sizing per the furnace nameplate.
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Repair Difficulty
Professional Required
5/5
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