Why Does My RV AC Breaker Keep Tripping? Here’s the Reason

Having air conditioning on hot days is a lifesaver! However, when your camper AC keeps tripping the breaker, it ruins the fun and comfort you’ve been having.

And this makes you wonder, “Why does my RV AC breaker keep tripping?” There are actually several causes to such a sudden issue.

In this article, we will list reasons why your RV air conditioner trips breaker and how to stop them from tripping.

Reasons Why RV AC Keeps Tripping Breaker

The following are some of the most common reasons why your camper keeps tripping breaker:

1. The difference in the supply voltage required to be supplied to the AC

If your AC requires 30 amps but you only have a 20 amp breaker, this will cause your Dometic AC tripping breaker. The reason behind this is that it will try to pull in the required voltage that it needs to operate.

The breaker trips to prevent any electrical hazards, such as a fire.

To resolve this, check the breaker’s supply voltage and whether it is sufficient to cover the AC. If it is too low for the AC, it may cause damage to the AC compressor.

2. Congested power source

This is one of the most common reasons why your RV power keeps shutting off due to your AC. It might be because the power source is already overloaded.

This is most especially true for RV AC tripping 30 amp breaker. This is common when the majority of your appliances are connected to a single power source.

Tripping the breaker indicates that it is overloaded and protects against any damage caused by such overloading.

To avoid this, first check the power source and, if possible, avoid using the same power source for all of your appliances.

3. Loose connections

One of the reasons your air conditioner keeps tripping the breaker could be due to loose wire connections. This could be the wires that connect to the AC unit or the breaker itself.

Examine the wires of the AC and the breaker to see if this is the cause of the breaker tripping. If you notice any loose or hot cables, it is best to have them repaired by a qualified electrician for your safety.

4. Faulty or aged breaker

Your breaker will wear out or become faulty if it is used frequently. As a result, your breaker is frequently tripped.

When a breaker fails, it becomes loose and easy to turn on and off. You’ll need to replace the faulty breaker with a new one.

5. Overheated motor

When you use your air conditioner for an extended period of time, its motor overheats. The breaker is tripped to prevent further damage or fire.

It is best to contact a qualified electrician to identify and repair the source of the overheating.

6. Damaged AC compressor

This issue occurs when there is a defect within the compressor. This defect will then affect the compressor itself. This friction will result in some burnout inside the compressor, causing the breaker to trip.

If the compressor is damaged, contact a qualified electrician right away to replace it.

What to Do First to Stop My AC From Tripping the Breaker?

When your breaker trips due to ac, the following are the first steps you should take:

1. Turn the air conditioner off for 30 minutes.
2. Turn on the AC circuit breaker in your electrical panel.
3. Place the AC to cool after 30 minutes.

After you’ve done this, you may have already troubleshot your breaker and it won’t trip again. However, if it continues to trip after a few hours, consider investigating the root cause.

How to Fix an AC Tripping Breaker Immediately?

You now understand why your air conditioner trips the circuit breaker. The following are the steps you must take to fix it:

1. Determine the underlying cause of the circuit breaker trip.
2. Check to see if the air conditioner is the only appliance connected to the power source. If not, unplug any other appliances from the power source.
3. Examine the AC and breaker cables. Examine the wires for frayed ends. If you found it, consider replacing it if it is feasible. Call an electrician if it cannot be changed at all.
4. Assess the air conditioner compressor to see if it is overloaded or damaged. If this is the case, contact a qualified electrician.
5. If you’ve tried and checked everything listed above, consider hiring a qualified electrician to diagnose and repair the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my RV AC trip breaker after 5 minutes?

Here are the reasons why your air conditioner trips the breaker every 5 minutes:

• More air is required for the evaporator coils. As with insufficient air flow, the evaporator coils will overheat, causing the breaker to trip.
• The air filter is dirty. If the air filter is clogged, it restricts the flow of air into the evaporator coils. This causes overheating to the compressor and trips the circuit breaker.
• The AC compressor is broken or burned out. If this is the case, you must contact an electrician immediately.

Why do my portable AC trips breaker?

There are several possible reasons why your portable air conditioner trips the breaker:

• The portable air conditioner requires more voltage than the circuit breaker can provide. This will cause the portable air conditioner to draw the required amps, tripping the breaker.
• More ventilation is required for the portable air conditioner. It can overheat if not properly ventilated, causing the circuit breaker to trip.
• The air filter is clogged. If the filter is clogged, the air will not flow inside the portable air conditioner. It is best to clean it on a regular basis and to consider replacing it if necessary.

Reasons my AC circuit breaker trips after 30 minutes

The following could be the cause of your circuit breaker tripping every 30 minutes.

• Wire connections that are loose or heated. This faulty or overheated connection could be linked to the AC or the breaker itself. When it burns out, it trips the breaker.
• A faulty circuit breaker. If you notice that the breaker keeps tripping, consider replacing it, especially if it is worn out.
• Some AC leaks or a connection between the breaker and the AC. The breaker will trip as a result of these leaks.

Conclusion

There are numerous reasons why your AC keeps tripping the pop-up camper breaker box.

We’ve answered the question “why does my RV AC breaker keep tripping” in this article. We hope this guide has helped you troubleshoot your breaker and get your air conditioner working properly again!

Always take precautionary measures before doing anything and consult with your qualified electrician to avoid injury or hazards.