Is your furnace giving you trouble? Do you often ask why is my furnace tripping the circuit breaker?
A furnace tripping breaker is a pain to deal with, especially if you don’t know how to fix it. The common reason for it is mostly a motor problem. However, it doesn’t mean that you have a damaged motor. In fact, there are many reasons why your furnace motor becomes troublesome.
With this article, you will gain more insight on why the furnace keeps tripping the breaker.
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4 Reasons Why Electric Furnace Keeps Tripping Breaker
Apart from motor issues, there are several reasons why the furnace circuit breaker keeps tripping. I’ve listed these factors below, along with several strategies to avoid tripping your furnace breaker.
1. Motor Problem
The first reason involves your circuit breaker’s motor. A troublesome motor becomes a problem for your circuit breaker. Here are the factors that may cause your motor to malfunction:
Dirty Air Filter
Having dirty filters with your furnace unit may cause tripping its circuit breaker. With all the dirt and dust compacted, the furnace motor will have a hard time sucking the air from your house.
When it happens, your furnace motor will draw more power, resulting in circuit overloads and getting your furnace breaker tripped.
- Fortunately, the solution to this is quite simple. Regularly cleaning or changing your furnace filter every few months will help to prevent this kind of problem.
Blockage in Vent
Another factor that makes your furnace motor work overtime is a clog in the vents. A clogged vent will also inhibit proper air circulation within your home.
- It, like the filter, should be clean and free of blockages at all times.
Broken Air Ducts
Aside from the dirt and blockage, broken air docks can also be a reason your breaker trips. A small air leak in your ducts can force your furnace to keep running in order to compensate for the hot air that has been lost.
Furthermore, your electricity bill may increase if the leaks are not repaired.
- It is a good idea to have air ducts inspected and maintained regularly to avoid this unfortunate circumstance and continual additional costs in your electricity bill.
2. Electrical Wiring Problems
Electrical wiring issues, such as a damaged wire or a loose wire connection, can potentially cause the furnace to trip the breaker instantly.
A damaged wire can cause a short circuit detected by the circuit breaker. Read this guide to learn more how to fix short circuit.
At the same time, a faulty connection might result in increased resistance, which is easily detectable, especially if your furnace is equipped with an AFCI breaker.
- The best solution for this type of problem is to tighten all of the terminals and secure your wire.
3. Damaged Capacitor
A capacitor comes in useful when you switch on your furnace because it consumes a lot of electricity.
The capacitor assists in releasing energy required by your furnace for a successful start-up. However, if you have a bad capacitor, it can cause the furnace trips breaker immediately.
- To keep using your furnace unit, you’ll need to replace a damaged capacitor. The process of replacing the capacitor in your furnace is simple enough that even a novice can accomplish it. This video made by RepairClinic.com will undoubtedly assist you in completing the process quickly, as he demonstrates each step in detail.
4. Damaged Circuit Breaker
Lastly, you should inspect the circuit breaker itself. That being said, a circuit breaker cannot be easily destroyed. They are meant to withstand several changing factors and last you a while.
- It is only necessary to consider replacing it after evaluating all of the problems listed above.
Conclusion
Knowing all of the possible causes for “Why is my furnace tripping the circuit breaker?” can help you determine whether it’s time to call a professional. In addition, you should learn more about where is the furnace circuit breaker of your house, the right number of circuit breakers and the right size for the furnace to minimize the risk as much as possible.
Furthermore, some of the possible causes can be resolved without the assistance of a specialist, allowing you to save money.
Does this article help you find a suitable solution to your furnace and circuit breaker problem? If yes, feel free to share the article with those who do not have experience in fixing these issues.
I am Edwin Jones, in charge of designing content for Galvinpower. I aspire to use my experiences in marketing to create reliable and necessary information to help our readers. It has been fun to work with Andrew and apply his incredible knowledge to our content.