Why Does My Air Compressor Keep Tripping The Breaker

Why Does My Air Compressor Keep Tripping The Breaker?

Air Compressor Tripping Breaker:

If your air compressor is tripping the breaker, it could be due to a variety of reasons. First, check if the voltage and amperage given from your power outlet match with the requirements on your air compressor’s nameplate. If not, you’ll need to adjust or replace the breaker with one that matches those requirements.

The power supply may also be overloaded, causing the breaker to trip. Check if you’re connecting too many items to the same circuit and remove any unnecessary items from the outlet. If your air compressor has an internal motor overload protector, make sure it is properly adjusted for your voltage and amperage requirements.

In some cases, the air compressor itself could be malfunctioning or failing components in its electrical system can cause a false “overload” situation that will trip the breaker. You should check for any loose wires, broken switches and frayed cords, as well as worn brushes on the motor of your compressor.

Finally, inspect all hoses connected to the air compressor to ensure they are intact, not kinked, and the couplings are secure.

If you still can’t identify the source of your problem, you should contact a professionally trained service technician to inspect and repair your air compressor. Taking these steps will help ensure that your air compressor runs safely and reliably for years to come.

10 Possible Factors & How To Solve Them:

1. Overloading of the Circuit

2. Poor Insulation on the Air Compressor

3. Dust or Dirt in the Motor

4. Faulty Electrical Wiring

5. Improperly Sized Circuit Breaker

6. Excessive Voltage Drop

7. Poor Engine Performance

8. Faulty Pressure Switch

9. Leak in Compressor Line

10. Low Refrigerant Level of an Air Conditioner Compressor

Now lets discuss these factors one by one in detail and how to solve them.

1. Overloading of the Circuit:

If you’re using too many appliances on one circuit, it can overload that circuit and cause the breaker to trip. The solution is simple, just move some of your appliances onto another circuit.

Solution:

Move some appliances to another circuit.

2. Poor Insulation on the Air Compressor:

If your air compressor has poor insulation, it can heat up more quickly and trip the breaker when it reaches a higher temperature than expected. The solution is to replace any worn or damaged parts with high quality products that are properly insulated for maximum protection against overheating.

Solution:

Replace any worn or damaged parts with high quality, well-insulated products.

3. Dust or Dirt in the Motor:

A buildup of dust and dirt from frequent operation can lead to a decrease in performance and cause the breaker to trip, so be sure to clean out your air compressor regularly.

Solution:

Clean out your air compressor regularly.

4. Faulty Electrical Wiring:

Faulty electrical wiring can cause the air compressor to draw more electricity than it needs and trip the circuit breaker. To fix this problem, inspect all of your wiring for any signs of damage and replace any faulty parts as needed.

Solution:

Inspect all wiring for any signs of damage and replace any faulty parts as needed.

5. Improperly Sized Circuit Breaker:

If you have a mismatched circuit breaker, it won’t be able to handle the amount of power that your air compressor needs and will trip off when the current exceeds its rating. The solution is to install the right size circuit breaker for your application.

Solution:

Install the right size circuit breaker for your application.

6. Excessive Voltage Drop:

Voltage drop is an issue where there is too much resistance in the wiring, which will cause the power to be weaker and potentially trip the breaker. To resolve this issue, inspect your wiring and make sure that all of your connections are secure and up-to-date.

Solution:

Inspect wiring and make sure all connections are secure and up-to-date.

7. Poor Engine Performance:

If your air compressor’s engine is not performing well, it can draw too much current and trip the breaker. To fix this problem, check your engine and make sure that all parts are in working order; if necessary you can replace any faulty components with new ones.

Solution:

Check engine and make sure all parts are in working order; replace any faulty components with new ones if necessary.

8. Faulty Pressure Switch:

If your pressure switch is faulty or worn out, it won’t be able to accurately detect pressure changes and may cause the breaker to trip unnecessarily. The solution is to replace the pressure switch with a new one.

Solution:

Replace the pressure switch with a new one.

9. Leak in Compressor Line:

If there is an air leak anywhere within the compressor’s line, this can cause the unit to struggle to maintain enough pressure and thus increase strain on its motor, leading it to trip the breaker. To fix this issue, check for any loose connections or worn-out hoses and replace them if necessary.

Solution:

Check for any loose connections or worn-out hoses and replace them if necessary.

10. Low Refrigerant Level of an Air Conditioner Compressor:

If you have an air conditioner compressor, it may be tripping the circuit breaker due to a low refrigerant level. To fix this problem, first check the refrigerant level; if it is below the recommended amount, top up with fresh refrigerant until it reaches the correct level.

Solution:

Check refrigerant level and top up with fresh refrigerant if it is below the recommended amount.

If your air compressor is tripping the circuit breaker, any of these 10 causes could be to blame. By following these solutions, you can get back up and running quickly and efficiently. Remember, if the problem persists or if the circuit breaker continues to trip, be sure to seek professional help.

Conclusion:

While all of these potential solutions may help you avoid breaker trips in the future, if you continue to have trouble with your air compressor tripping the circuit breaker, it’s best to consult a professional. Often times, there is an underlying issue that is causing this problem, and a trained technician will be able to quickly diagnose and fix the issue, so that you can get back to using your air compressor without interruption.