QA

Quick Answer: Why Does My Furnace Keep Tripping The Breaker

Clogged air filter: You must change the furnace’s filter on a regular basis (every 1 to 3 months depending on the filter type). If the filter becomes clogged, it will cut off airflow and force the blower to strain. A strained blower is the main trigger for a tripped circuit breaker.

Why is my furnace tripping the breaker?

The most common cause for your furnace to trip your circuit breaker in your blower motor overworking itself. The blower motor can begin to overwork itself when air flow to the motor becomes restricted. One of the largest causes of this is a dirty air filter. A dirty filter can also cause your furnace to short cycle.

How do I stop my breaker from tripping the heater?

The first thing to do when a space heater trips the circuit breaker is to see if you are running the heater on the highest level. Most heaters have 2 settings for watts used. If your has that, reset the breaker and try to use it at the lower level. It might work fine on LOW heat (without tripping) but not on HIGH heat.

Can a thermostat trip a breaker?

The thermostat or furnace control is turning on a component or causing a load on the breaker that is causing the breaker to trip. There is actually a separation of the thermostat power circuit and the electrical circuit that powers the furnace. But is probably the instigator of the breaker tripping.

Why does my breaker trip when I turn on the heat?

The overheating motor pulls more power than normal, causing the circuit breaker to trip. To fix airflow restriction issues the first thing you need to check is your air filter. If your air filter is dirty, replace it. You also should check your air ducts for any blockage or kinks, and make sure your air vents are open.

Where should the disconnect switch for the furnace be located?

“The disconnecting switch for the furnace shall be located away from the furnace, between the furnace and entry to the room, and be readily accessible.”Sep 3, 2016.

Will a 1500 watt heater trip a breaker?

A 1500 watt space heater (on high setting) will draw 12.5 Amps. When a few lights or a television are on the same circuit, the 15 Amp limit is quickly reached and the breaker will trip. Turning off lights and unplugging other devices can reduce the load on the circuit and prevent the breaker or fuse from tripping.

How do you reset a furnace breaker?

How to Reset an Electric Furnace First, turn off the power supply to the furnace by turning off the breaker in the circuit box. Locate the reset button on the furnace and press it to reset the furnace. If the button is popped up, press it down. Return the cover to the blower compartment and turn the power on.

Is there a breaker on the furnace?

According to building codes, a furnace must be supplied by a dedicated circuit, meaning the circuit cannot supply power to anything other than the furnace. This circuit is served by its own circuit breaker in the breaker box (properly called the main service panel).

Is it OK to turn off furnace breaker?

Gas furnaces use electricity to power the blower, sensors, and safety system. Turn off the breaker for the furnace. Doing this will eliminate any “ghost” power use from the furnace during the summertime.

Is it OK to turn your furnace off?

Heat constantly escapes your home when it’s cold outdoors, which is why it makes sense to lower the thermostat when you’re not there. But turning off the furnace in the winter—especially when you’re away for long periods of time—runs the risk of frozen pipes that could easily burst when they thaw.

What size breaker do I need for a 1000 watt heater?

(For example: 2-1000W & 1-1500W, 240V heaters = 3500 Watts total. These 3 heaters would require 12/2 wire and a 20 Amp 2-Pole breaker if they were to all be placed on the same circuit. If more heaters are needed either run a new circuit or increase the wire and breaker size to accommodate the load.).

Can you use an extension cord with a heater?

Never leave the space heater unattended. Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip, which could overheat and result in a fire. Do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater.

What size breaker do I need for a 1500 watt heater?

A 1500-watt heater on a 120-volt circuit thus needs a breaker of 15.6 amps. Because a 15-amp breaker would be too small, you need a breaker with the next highest rating, which is 20 amps.

How many times can I hit the reset button on my furnace?

Don’t hit “reset” more than twice. The process pumps oil into the burner chamber, where it can accumulate if you have no ignition. Then when the furnace finally does start, it can do so explosively. So if the button won’t reset, or quickly pops up again, it’s time to call a professional repair service.

How long does it take for furnace to reset?

Either way, restarting a furnace is a relatively simple task that takes no longer than 10 minutes to complete. Follow these steps to reset your gas furnace: Turn the circuit breaker off and switch the furnace power button off too. Never touch the breaker with wet hands and use only one hand to do it.

How do you reset a furnace blower motor?

How to Find and Reset your Furnace Motor Blower Step 1: Turn off the power to the furnace. Step 2: Remove the blower compartment cover. Step 3: Make sure the blower is completely cooled off. Step 4: Locate the reset button. Step 5: Press the button in (assuming that this is your issue and that the button has popped).