If your air conditioner suddenly stops working, many different issues are possible. Some problems require a call to our professionals for AC repair in Catoosa, OK.
Before doing that, though, you may want to look for how to reset an air conditioner breaker. If the circuit breaker on your electrical panel tripped, you may be able to return power to the AC unit by resetting the switch. Learn more about how to identify this issue and what to do about it.
Looking for a Tripped Circuit Breaker
When you have an AC power interruption, you may have an issue inside the main electrical box at your home. The individual circuits inside the panel each control certain outlets or appliances.
The circuits often resemble oversized light switches. When you have a tripped circuit, it will align differently than the other circuits. It might be partially or fully out of alignment. Some circuits display an orange or red mark on tripped circuits.
If you don’t know where your electrical panel is, look for it in one of these locations of your home:
- Basement
- Landry room
- Garage
- Near the electric meter
- Utility room
- Crawl space
- Closet
It’ll often be at eye level to give it maximum protection against water from flooding. The box will have thick wires coming out of it to serve the outlets and appliances in the rest of the home.
How To Reset an AC Breaker Switch
Once you find the issue, it’s time to take steps on how to reset an air conditioner breaker. The electrical panel should have a written list on the door. This list maps the circuits inside the box and what appliances they serve in your Catoosa, OK, home.
If you find that the AC circuit tripped, you can reset it. If you can’t find the AC switch on the list, look for an oversized switch or two connected circuits. The air conditioning system uses so much electrical power that it often needs specially designed breakers.
To reset it, just flip the tripped switch all the way to the “off” position for a few seconds. (Some switchers don’t flip to a fully off position when they trip, flipping to a neutral middle position instead.) Then flip it back to the “on” position so its alignment matches all the other switches.
Other Breakers and Fuses That Control the AC Unit
If you can’t find a tripped circuit inside the main electrical panel, look for a metal box outdoors mounted near the appliance.
Some cooling systems have fuses or breakers inside this metal box. The breakers here could trip, or the fuses could burn out. Others might have a red reset button you can press.
Safety Issues To Watch When Doing Air Conditioner Troubleshooting in Catoosa, OK
Before you complete the process of how to reset an air conditioner breaker, you should take some safety precautions.
Turn Off the Thermostat
Before resetting any switches, turn the thermostat to “fan only” instead of cooling mode. When you restore power to the AC system, you don’t want to create a potential power surge by having the cooling function start running immediately. Let the system regain power, and then try turning on the cooling function at the thermostat.
Look for Damage
It’s possible that your AC switch tripped because of some sort of damage to the panel. Your electrical panel should not have scorch marks or wiring that looks frayed. All the switches should be in good condition with no physical damage.
If you see any damage, contact our team for electrical repair.
Find Out Why the Switch Tripped
Air conditioner circuit switches should not trip. If the circuit trips regularly, you may have a problem with the AC unit that needs immediate repair. Our Catoosa, OK, team can determine whether you need a circuit with a greater power capacity or if the AC system has an electrical issue.
Contact Us Today for Help With Resetting an AC Breaker in Catoosa, OK
If you have any concerns about an AC power surge leading to problems with your HVAC’s operation, our technicians are ready to help. We can provide circuit breaker safety tips as well as help with how to reset an air conditioner breaker in Catoosa, OK.
Our team at Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric can help with any air conditioning problems you have. Whether you need major repairs or help replacing AC filters, we’re ready to serve you. Contact us today to set up a service appointment.
