AC Keeps Blowing Fuses: 6 Reasons and Troubleshooting Tips

An air conditioner provides the cool air that keeps the room temperature comfortable throughout the day. It is frustrating to deal with air conditioner issues, particularly when it involves your electrical system.

Electricity-related aircon issues are no small matter. These problems often require technicians to fix, and can cost you high fees. When your AC unit blows a fuse, it is concerning as blown AC fuses may indicate an issue with your air conditioning unit. Here are the 6 common reasons for air conditioners that keep blowing fuses:

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Reason	Description	Solution
Too Much Voltage	High power supply demand in one line causes a blown fuse or tripped breaker.	Unplug unnecessary devices and appliances from the same fuse line.
Issues with Breaker Box	Breaker box might be faulty or short circuiting.	Have an electrician check your breaker box for any issues.
Refrigerant Leak	Low refrigerant levels brought by leaks can cause the AC unit to work harder, which can then cause a blown fuse.	Top up the refrigerant, and consult with an HVAC technician to fix the leak.
Malfunctioning Capacitor	Capacitors can no longer properly regulate the electrical currents circulating around the AC.	Replace the capacitor.
Faulty Condenser Fan	Condenser fan cannot effectively blow air over the condenser, causing the AC to work harder, and cause a blown fuse.	Have an HVAC technician fix the issue, and replace any parts needed.
Dirty Air Filter	Dirty air filters limit airflow within the AC, which causes the unit to use up more power and trip breakers.	Clean the air filter with soap and water every two weeks. Have the AC unit professionally cleaned twice a year.

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6 Reasons for Air Conditioner Blowing Fuses

Reason #1 Too Much Voltage

Check your electric sockets. A blown fuse happens when too much voltage is sent through the electrical line. Fuses are meant to prevent electrical overloads, and blown fuses are the result of a high demand in power supply - more than what your electrical system can handle.

High voltage sent through the lines can be a result of plugging in too many appliances at once. Extension cords and octopus adapters are known to cause short circuiting and blown fuses. However, extreme temperatures can cause your air conditioner to work harder, causing an increase in electrical demand.

Reason #2 Issues with Breaker Box or Fuse Box

You may have electrical issues unrelated to your air conditioner at all! Your fuse box may be overworked, or have a short circuit somewhere along the line. You may encounter a circuit breaker that is loose, burnt or melted. You may have a faulty appliance connected to the circuit that is causing a blown fuse. Contact an electrician for any electrical issues.

Reason #3 Low Refrigerant/Refrigerant Leak

Another reason for a blown AC fuse is when the refrigerant leaks out of the unit, causing the air conditioner to work harder to cool your room. When this happens, the air conditioning system demands for more electrical power, which can result in tripping breakers.

Reason #4 Malfunctioning Capacitor

The capacitor is what regulates the current moving through your AC unit. A malfunctioning capacitor can no longer function properly, causing an imbalance of electrical current flowing through your air conditioner. Our Luce Aircon technicians can diagnose and replace your capacitor for you.

Reason #5 Faulty Condenser Fan

A condenser fan blows air over the condenser coils to efficiently cool the room. When this part is faulty, the cooling system can no longer deliver the cold air into the room. This puts pressure on the AC unit, which can blow a fuse as the appliance works harder to make up for the fault in the condenser fan.

Reason #6 Dirty Air Filter

A dirty air filter does not promote good air circulation in and around the unit. The AC unit will need to work harder to pull the room temperature air through its vents, and push to deliver the cool air back into the room. This additional pressure gets the air conditioner using more power, which in turn causes a blown fuse.

5 Tips to Prevent Air Conditioner Blowing Fuses

Tip #1 Avoid Plugging Too Many Devices and Appliances

Avoid overloading extension cords and octopus adapters with too many devices at a time to prevent electrical overload. Unplug any unnecessary device or appliance, even when the device is switched off. Some devices and appliances continue to use up power, even when turned off.

Tip #2 Have an Electrician Check Your Electrical System

If you keep blowing fuses despite using as minimal power as possible, contact an electrician to check your breaker box. Never attempt to tinker with any electrical connection, and do not replace your fuse with a larger fuse as this may lead to electrical fires and other problems.

Tip #3 Clean Air Conditioner Regularly

But the indoor unit and the outdoor unit need constant cleaning to keep the entire AC system working properly. Dirt can cause problems for your AC unit when left unchecked, and clearing these away is part of aircon maintenance.

Clean air filters every two weeks by running them under soap and water, and using a soft brush to remove the grime. Have our Luce Aircon technicians deep clean your air conditioning unit once every six months for optimal performance.

Tip #4 Go for Air Conditioner Maintenance

Schedule an aircon maintenance check with one of our technicians at least once a year. Doing regular maintenance catches any issues in your air conditioning unit long before it becomes a problem. Regular maintenance is key in keeping your unit running smoothly for years!

Tip #5 Fix Issues Immediately

Call a technician immediately at the first sign of an issue with your indoor or outdoor unit. Contact us for a list of our AC repair services, and our helpful HVAC professionals will be able to diagnose, repair, and solve the problem in no time.