How To Reset an AC Circuit Breaker in Charleston, WV

If your air conditioner suddenly stops working, multiple problems could be to blame. One of the first things you may want to check is the electrical panel before calling for HVAC services in Charleston, WV. Learning how to reset an AC circuit breaker can return your cooling system to normal operation.

Learn more about the steps required to reset this breaker and why you should call for a checkup of your system if the breaker trips regularly.

Steps for Resetting an Air Conditioning Circuit Breaker in Charleston, WV

You’ll need to follow multiple steps in the reset procedure. Always start by taking safety precautions.

Turn off all appliances attached to the breaker, including the air conditioner. Never touch a bare wire with your hands. If you don’t feel comfortable resetting the breaker, call a professional for help. 

1. Study the Electrical Panel

Find the circuit breaker panel, which is usually in a basement, utility room, or garage. It might be behind a metal door with rows of breakers that resemble oversized light switches.

2. Look for a Tripped Breaker

Look at the breakers. If one of them is in the off position or stuck in the middle between on and off, leaving it out of alignment with the others, this breaker is probably tripped. 

3. Reset the Breaker

Flip the breaker completely to the off position. After waiting several seconds, flip it back to the completely on position. If it refuses to stay in the on position, you need help from a professional repair person.

4. Try Running the Air Conditioner

Once you know how to reset an AC circuit breaker, turn on the air conditioner and see if it runs normally. If the breaker trips again right away, you’ll need to call for help, as the system may need repairs.

Why Air Conditioning Circuit Breakers Trip

Circuit breakers trip because of stress in the wiring or an overloaded circuit, where the appliance is trying to draw too much power from it. It could be a sign of damaged wiring somewhere in the air conditioner. When the unit faces the strain of a summer day in Charleston, the short circuit may become noticeable.

You might be running a dehumidifier to deal with the humid subtropical climate. You might run more fans to maintain air circulation. All of this added stress on the electrical panel might cause circuit breakers to trip more often in summer in west-central West Virginia.

If you haven’t changed the air filter for several months, you will place more stress on the cooling system because it can’t move air as efficiently. This could cause an electrical overload and a tripped breaker that forces you to learn how to reset an AC circuit breaker. Pollen counts are highest in the Charleston area in spring and summer, meaning you might need to change your filter more often.

Occasionally, the breaker for the air conditioner will trip after a power outage. After the utility company restores the power, you might need to reset the breaker. Unfortunately, power outages are more common in West Virginia than elsewhere, as the state ranks in the top five among all states for frequency of power outages, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore a Recurring Circuit Breaker Problem

If you need to figure out how to reset an AC circuit breaker regularly, this is a sign that you need help from air conditioning technicians. These professionals can inspect the cooling system to determine the source of the problem and make any necessary repairs.

A circuit breaker that constantly trips might be a sign of a bigger problem that could ruin the air conditioning unit if left untreated. Cooling system technicians can visually inspect the system and run diagnostic tests to figure out how to fix it.