So once it started warming up this season we turned on the AC. It would get cold fine, cool the house a bit and then after some time trip the breaker and turn itself off. Happened seemingly at random, sometimes well after reaching temperature.
Our landlord’s Maintence guy came out to look at it and initially suspected we needed a new breaker. (general maintenance, good/helpful dude but not specifically an HVAC tech) found something on it looked “crispy/burnt” and replaced or fixed it (maybe? This info is through my partner who wasn’t paying the best attention as she was on a call)
He said he thinks that should have fixed it but to let him know if it trips again, abut also implied that we could just get used to flipping the breaker back on every once in awhile.
Anyway it has tripped once or twice since then (maybe a bit less that before), so I put in another Maintence request (like they asked) to let em know that whatever he fixed wasn’t it. Today he came over, looked at the breakers for a min and said something along the lines “let me know if it does it again and I’ll get the parts from Lowe’s to replace that breaker” and left… Iike dude it is happening again that’s why we requested you come.
So my questions are:
- what could he have replaced outside and what could be tripping the breaker? Anything I can suggest to him when he comes back?
- Clearly something is pulling more amps than it should, so working harder than it should… doesn’t that imply something on the unit is dying or about to be fried if we don’t address the route cause? Or do breakers just get overly sensitive when old or something?
Keep in mind two things on this:
- I work in an office and my parter works from home. On past visits she’s there alone and his language has implied that he likely thinks my partner must be inept and just doesn’t know where the breaker is or how to flip it. So idk how to feel about this guy
2)my knowledge of hvac/electrical is limited. I’m just a hands on (not electrical) engineer who’s blown some fuses and run some wire before.