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Why Does My RV AC Keep Tripping the Breaker? (4 Top Reasons)

Rv ACs are notorious for tripping breakers, but there’s a good reason why. Here’s what you need to know.

Here are some reasons why your Rv Ac keeps tripping the breaker:

  1. Check the voltage coming into the AC unit.
  2. Your AC’s breaker could also be tripping if the ground or hot connection is loose.
  3. It could also be caused by a circuit breaker that is getting old.
  4. A problem with the AC itself can also trip the circuit breaker.

We’ll go into more detail below:

1. Check the Voltage Coming into the AC Unit

If the voltage going to the AC is too low, the AC will try to meet its power needs by drawing a lot of currents, which trips the breaker.

A bad connection to the shore or a power company problem could cause a low voltage supply.

With a voltmeter, you can check to see if the supply voltage is within the recommended range.

Low voltages can hurt the compressor in an air conditioner.

2. Your AC’s Breaker Could also be Tripping if the Ground or Hot Connection is Loose

The circuit breaker for your air conditioner is tripping because of a loose ground or hot connection within the breaker itself or at the terminals connecting to the air conditioner.

Sparks can be produced by loose connections, which will eventually cause the circuit breaker to trip due to the heat.

Hire a professional electrician to check the connections and ensure they are tight at the circuit breaker and the air conditioner.

3. It Could also be caused by a Circuit Breaker that is Getting Old

A circuit breaker can also break; if it does, it might keep tripping.

Try hooking up the air conditioner to a different breaker and seeing if the breaker still trips.

If not, the circuit breaker where the AC connection used to be is likely broken, or the connections are loose and need to be tightened.

4. A Problem with the AC itself Can also Trip the Circuit Breaker

Lastly, the circuit breaker can also be tripped by a problem with the air conditioner itself. Work through the above possible causes, and if the breaker still keeps tripping, it could be that your AC is broken.

resetting a tripped breaker
Video | VideoJoeKnows

Check with a professional electrician to see if this is the case.

What to do if your RV Air Conditioner Trips the Main Breaker?

If your RV air conditioner keeps tripping the main circuit breaker, you can check a few things to determine what’s wrong. First, ensure the only thing plugged into the circuit is the air conditioner. If other items are on the same circuit, they may use too much power and trip the breaker.

Make sure the air conditioner is plugged into a GFCI outlet as well. If that’s the case, the GFCI may be tripping, which could cause the breaker to trip. Lastly, check to see if the circuit breaker for the air conditioner has been tripped.

RV AC tripping the breaker
Video | Matthew Essig

If that’s the case, reset the breaker and see if the problem goes away. If the breaker trips again, there may be a problem with the air conditioner. You may need to call a technician for help.

If you’ve ever been in an RV on a hot day, you know that the last thing you want is for your air conditioner to trip the breaker. Here’s what you need to know about what causes it and what you can do to stop it.

On hot days, the air conditioner in your RV has to work harder to keep the inside cool. This makes the electrical system work harder and can cause the breaker to trip. You can stop this from happening by doing a few things.

First, check that the electrical system in your RV is up to the task. If it isn’t, you may need to add more circuits or change how your wiring works. Second, try to use only a few things at a time.

This includes your air conditioner, of course, but also things like your microwave, coffee maker, and TV. Third, protect your RV’s electricity with a surge protector. This will protect your appliances from power surges that could trip the breaker.

Lastly, you can always use a portable air conditioner if nothing else works. These units can be a lifesaver on hot days because they don’t use as much power. Doing these things can help keep your RV air conditioner from tripping the breaker on hot days.


How Can I Ensure my RV’s Air Conditioner doesn’t Lead to Breaker Trips?

If your RV air conditioner keeps tripping the breaker, there are a few things you can check to try to fix the problem. First, ensure the only thing plugged into the circuit breaker is the air conditioner. If other appliances or devices are plugged in, they could be using too much power and tripping the breaker.

Also, check the air conditioner’s filter. The breaker may trip if the air conditioner works too hard because of a dirty air filter. Lastly, make sure the coils of the air conditioner are clean.

If they’re dirty, they won’t be able to get rid of heat, which can also make the air conditioner work too hard and cause breaker tripping.


FAQs

Why is my Rv AC tripping 30 amp breaker?

An RV air conditioner is one of the most common things that trip 30 amp RV circuit breakers. The air conditioner puts a heavy load on the circuit, and if any other electrical equipment runs on the same circuit, it is easy to overload the circuit and cause breaker tripping. If your RV air conditioner keeps tripping the breaker, turn off any other electrical equipment running on the same circuit.

If that doesn’t work, you may need to add a bigger circuit breaker to your RV’s electrical system.

Can a normal air conditioner be used in an RV?

Yes, you can put a window AC unit in an RV. You could do this instead of putting an RV air conditioning unit on the roof.

Does RV air conditioning use a lot of electricity?

Modern RVs are known for having air conditioners that use the most electricity. When running, they can use anywhere from 700 watts (for a 10,000 BTU unit) to 1,500 watts (for a 15,000 BTU unit).



Video References

Massive Electric

grayfurnaceman

GEN3 Electric & HVAC

VideoJoeKnows

Matthew Essig

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About Sam Orlovsky

AvatarCertifications: B.E.E.
Education: University Of Denver - Electric Engineering
Lives In: Denver Colorado

Electrical engineering is my passion, and I’ve been in the industry for over 20 years. This gives me a unique ability to give you expert home improvement and DIY recommendations. I’m not only an electrician, but I also like machinery and anything to do with carpentry. One of my career paths started as a general handyman, so I also have a lot of experience with home improvement I love to share.

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