Reasons Heat Pump Breaker Keeps Tripping

Is your heat pump repeatedly tripping the circuit breaker? This frustrating issue can leave you without heat when you need it most. But don't despair - understanding the root causes can set you on the path to remedies. We'll explore the five most common culprits behind breaker trips and equipment failures that disrupt home heating and how to get your system back on track.

Heat pumps provide efficient temperature control by transferring heat between indoor and outdoor air. But complex electrical and mechanical components mean many potential points of failure. Diagnosing the specific reason a heat pump keeps tripping the breaker simplifies troubleshooting. Let's dive deeper into the leading causes and solutions for this exasperating problem.

Faulty Thermostat or Wiring

An outdated or malfunctioning thermostat fails to regulate equipment properly. This can lead to overheating and short circuiting that trips the breaker. Faulty internal wiring presents similar issues. Frayed, damaged or poorly connected wires cannot handle the electrical load.

Mechanical and mercury thermostats, common in older homes, operate through coiled bimetallic strips that warp at set temperatures to turn the system on or off. But mechanical degradation over years of heating and cooling cycles strains these components. Eventually the thermostat cannot accurately sense ambient temperature or properly trigger heating and cooling modes. Modern digital programmable thermostats utilize electronic controls more resilient to wear.

Meanwhile, wiring problems arise from both age and accidental damage. Brittle, cracked wire coatings expose copper that can arc to the metal control box or other wires, creating shorts. Building renovations that require moving equipment around or penetrating walls also heighten risks of inadvertently severing thermostat connections. Even hidden rodent damage chewing through wires presents an unexpected tripping hazard!

Solutions

• Replace old mechanical and mercury thermostats with a modern digital programmable model for more reliable and resilient operation
• Inspect wiring thoroughly for cracking, fraying damage and loose connections then rewire or repair issues discovered
• Hire an HVAC technician to fully diagnose faults and correctly rewire loose connections causing electrical shorts

Overloaded Circuit Breaker

Circuit breakers have a defined power handling limit before heat and current flow triggers the trip switch. Connecting multiple large household appliances with high electrical demand like a heat pump to one circuit can overload capacity. Peak electrical usage times also strain shared circuits in homes lacking sufficient dedicated circuit branches.

For example, simultaneously running the heat pump, electric oven, laundry appliances and more on a single 15 amp kitchen circuit easily exceeds safe capacity. The breaker rightly trips to prevent dangerous wires overheating inside walls. Yet this nuisance leaves the heat pump unable to operate until the cause resolves. Insufficient circuit capacity relative to a home's electrical needs precipitates frustrating repeat breaker trips.

Solutions

• Hire an electrician to dedicate an appropriately sized circuit breaker exclusively for the heat pump's use
• Reduce electrical load on the shared kitchen circuit by shifting devices like freezers and recessed lighting to other available circuit branches with free capacity
• Install a higher 20-30 amp dual pole 240 volt breaker if safely possible based on home wiring to handle larger connected loads

Low Voltage Supply

Insufficient voltage reaching the heat pump equipment strains components leading to overheating risk and breaker trips as a protective measure. Outdated home wiring and long outdoor circuit runs to remote external units cause higher resistance losses, reducing operating voltage. Line voltage drops below 210 volts can hinder proper performance.

Simultaneous use of multiple heavy-duty appliances also sags voltage levels, especially in underwired homes. Imagine running the clothes dryer, oven and central air conditioning while the heat pump kicks on - a recipe for low voltages sag! Upgrading wiring helps overcome resistive losses and supply adequate stable power to all equipment. Consult professionals to determine improvements needed for modern usage demands.

Solutions

• Request an electrician measure voltage supply to the heat pump to diagnose any deficiencies
• Eliminate sag risks by spacing high draw appliance usage across different times of day
• Upgrade to thicker 10 or 12 gauge wire if necessary to handle required electrical loads
• For older homes, upgrade the main electrical panel with 200+ amp units to meet full home power demands

Faulty Compressor

The outdoor unit's compressor pumps refrigerant through the vapor compression cycle to absorb and release heat inside. This critical component enables heat movement between exterior and interior air streams. With many high-pressure moving parts and mechanical forces, compressors face substantial stresses liable to culminate in failure over years of use.

A damaged, dirty or worn compressor strains to operate properly. The failing unit then overworks drawing excess current flow that risks tripping the breaker. Compressor failures also commonly discharge the refrigerant charge. Loss of vital refrigerant converts the heat pump into essentially a resisting space heater - not very efficient!

Solutions

• Replace just the failed compressor component if the overall heat pump cabinet and plumbing remains in good condition
• Consider installing an entirely brand new matched variable speed heat pump system for maximum efficiency and performance
• Let a licensed HVAC technician thoroughly evaluate issues to determine the best remedy option balancing cost, complexity and equipment condition

Blocked Airflow

For peak operation, heat pumps rely on free airflow circulation both over interior evaporator coils and the external condenser coils in the cabinet housing. However, obstructed ceiling vents, cramped condenser unit spacing or a excessively dirty filter readily block flow.

Restricted airflow passageways hinder heat transfer and refrigerant pressure dynamics. This forces internal fan motors to strain harder trying to move air, drawing greater electrical loads, overheating equipment and potentially tripping breakers. Maintaining unimpeded airways bolsters efficient heat conveyance at balanced loads.

Solutions

• Clean debris and dirt from condenser coils monthly using a garden hose and gentle brush
• Check and change filters every 30 days and remove clutter blocking vents
• Review external unit manual for minimum spacing rules to preserve compressor airflow access

Preventing Repeat Breaker Tripping

Tripped breakers act primarily as essential protective safeguards against systemic overheating and equipment damage from overload conditions. But repeat nuisance shut-offs still obstruct comfort and convenience. Once resolving any underlying issues, take further preventative measures to avoid further breaker trips.

• Enroll in annual heat pump maintenance plans to proactively tune-up the system
• Stagger major household electrical usage across different times of day
• Install whole home surge suppressors to guard against voltage spikes blowing breaker fuses
• Preventatively upgrade electrical panels or wiring if rated insufficiently for modern household needs

For homes battling frequent breaker trips unrelated specifically to the heat pump system itself, contact a certified master electrician for prompt evaluation. Request a thorough assessment on the state of supply wiring, breaker box capacity, voltage regulation performance and other critical criteria. Living needs and electrical demand tend to evolve substantially from initial installation baselines. Wiring upgrades modernize protection for contemporary household realities.

Debugging the root cause why a heat pump persisently trips the breaker reduces frustrations keeping everyone comfortably warm indoors. ButIdentifying solutions involves equal parts HVAC and electrical expertise spanning equipment mechanics plus wiring fundamentals. Collaborating across these skilled trades ensures both the appliance functionality and power delivery stay robust together.

While Do-It-Yourself diagram reviews and component cleaning provides handy homeowner triage, don't hesitate engaging professionals when needed. Heat pump compressor technologies and diagnostic nuances benefit from certified technician experiences. They also access recovery/recycling gear to safely handle refrigerants. Similarly, complicated electrical rerouting projects tapping into the home wiring spine wisely left to licensed electricians protected by insurance and bonding.