Electrical faults with your air conditioner may seem out of your league and difficult to fix. But it does not have to be so. Learn how to fix the problem of a Goodman air conditioner blowing fuses.
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Goodman Air Conditioner Blowing Fuses – Causes and Fixes
The following are some of the causes of your Goodman AC blowing fuses, and how to fix them:
1. Dusty Air Filter
The filter in your air conditioner should remove particles from the air in your home. Over time, it clogs with dirt and begins to cause different issues. It can block the blower motor and condenser motor from working. As a result, the air conditioner works harder than it should and begins to overheat. That causes the fuse to blow.
To fix this issue is easy. Remove the air filter and wash it in warm water and dishwashing soap if it is not older than three months. Allow it to dry before replacing it. If the filter is older than three months, replace it with the correct type of air filter. That is when you can replace the damaged fuse.
2. Insufficient Refrigerant
When the refrigerant in the compressor is too low, the motor will overwork itself in a bid to keep cooling. And when the compressor works too much, the fuse bears some of the stress and blows. Have a professional check the level of the refrigerant and add some if it is too low to run the air conditioner. Then, replace the blown fuse.
While refrigerant may deplete from the system, it is crucial to check if there is a leak in the closed system. The leak is dangerous, not just for the air conditioning unit but also for your health.
3. Poor Electrical Connections
Changes in the ambient temperature can cause the wires in the fuse box to expand and contract. When this happens, the wires cannot function as they should, causing problems in the connections.
Also, the problem may stem from poor connections during installation. You may want to contact a qualified electrician to check the fuse box to determine whether or not the fuse issue originates from there. Problems originating from the fuse or breaker must be handled quickly because it is a hazard for the entire home.
4. Defective Capacitor
The capacitor stores electric power to enable the compressor to start and run when it should. However, the motor cannot run if the capacitor becomes defective. It cannot produce the start and run power for the compressor.
Consequently, the air conditioner will work harder in an effort to start and run, failing each time and putting stress on the fuse that powers it. Replacing the capacitor should fix the problem and stop the unit from blowing fuses.
Contact the AC manufacturer or hire an HVAC repair agent if none of the above fixes solves the problem.
Check out these other articles…
How to Clean a Goodman Air Conditioner [Detailed Guide]
How to Install a Goodman Air Conditioner [Detailed Guide]
How to Replace a Goodman Air Conditioner Capacitor [Detailed Guide]
Goodman Air Conditioner Filter [Detailed ‘How to’ Guide]
How to Replace a Goodman AC Blower Motor [Quick Guide]
How to Tell If an Air Conditioner Fuse Is Blown
The primary sign of a blown air conditioner is that the exterior unit stops working. The interior unit may be working, but it may not be blowing cold air. Ideally, testing with a multimeter is the best way to determine whether or not the fuse is no longer working.
How to Check a Blown Fuse in an AC Unit
To test the fuse, disconnect the air conditioner from electric power. You will find a large box, most times gray in color, close to the exterior condenser unit. Open it by swinging or lifting it open. You will find a second cover over the wiring inside the box; pop it out to find the wire connections under it.
Next, identify the wires you need to work with before disconnecting anything. A set of wires is labeled load, which means it is the outgoing wire. Another set is labeled line, which means it is the incoming wire.
After this identification, take your multimeter and set it to voltage, ensuring the display on the screen is zero. Place the probes of the meter on the screws of the disconnect box. The black probe goes to the lug of the white wire labeled ‘line’ while the red probe goes to the lug of the black wire labeled ‘line’.
Now, the reading in volts should be between 220v and 240v. If the reading is correct, it means the fuses are getting power. Test the wires labeled ‘load’ in the same way to ensure they have power. The voltage reading should be the same as that of the line wires, so you know the fuse is blown if the reading is incorrect or inexistent on the ‘load’ side, even if the ‘line’ side is correct.
But if the reading is off or there is none at all on both sides, the breaker panel may have a problem that an electrician should fix. Remember that testing electrical components requires the utmost caution. Follow all the necessary safety measures before touching any part of the unit.
How to Replace Fuse in an AC Unit
If you find that the fuse in an AC unit is blown, it is crucial you replace it. Fortunately, it is a task you can perform yourself if you have the skills.
Disconnect the air conditioner from the power box and get fuse pullers to remove the old fuse or fuses from the box. When you remove the blown fuse, compare the new one to it to ensure you purchased the correct type for your air conditioning unit. If not, return it to the hardware store to exchange it for the correct one. But this time, go with the blown fuse as an example.
Use the pullers to hold the new fuse and push it into the space where the old one used to be. The clamps in that space will hold it in place. Ensure the other fuses in the box are in good working condition and are well-positioned before turning on the disconnect. Also, check the thermostat and circuit breaker before turning on the air conditioner.
Air conditioner fuses can blow from overuse, especially when the weather is particularly hot. But that is not the only reason a fuse blows in an AC unit. A defective capacitor, bad connections, dusty air filter, and a problem with the breaker panel can also cause the fuse to blow because they overwork the cooling unit.
Recap
If you have the problem of a Goodman air conditioner blowing fuses, it is crucial to find a permanent fix. The good news is that fixing or replacing a blown AC fuse is not a difficult task. So, follow this guide to find out if the fuse is blown and replace it with the correct type. Remember that you can use the services of a technician if you cannot replace it yourself.
