Posted on 11/24/2024 5:02:37 PM PST by scrabblehack
Hi,
Do window air conditioners draw more current when they get old? I had one in the bathroom. Toward the end of the summer, it was tripping the GFCI quite a bit. It had not done that in past summers. I got tired of resetting the GFCI.
The air conditioner is heavy; I got around to taking it down just now. I've had a space heater in the bathroom plugged into the GFCI for a few weeks. It has not been tripping -- I'm thinking the space heater draws less current than the air conditioner even in the best of times.
I thought about replacing the GFCI (they can go bad after a few years too). But if the air conditioner would only trip the new GFCI too, maybe it's not worth it, and I should get rid of the air conditioner.
An air conditioner.
In the bathroom.
If it is tripping a GCFI not a circuit breaker it most likely has a fault to ground somewhere.
Did you make sure the drains were clean on the AC?
If Hitler was literally alive today and literally criticized Trump he literally would not be Hitler.
Literally.
My work in electronics has shown me that even imperceptible amounts of dust cause major strains on equipment.
The fan is the biggest load, and as it gets older and dustier the load increases.
GCFI breakers get old and trip. They need replaced from time to time.
On a personal note, I am really curiouos as to the size of the said bathroom. LOL
“An American sized bathroom”
If the condenser is dirty it will raise pressures in the unit and cause it to pull more amps.
I replaced a GFCI in my basement a while ago, but it turns out the problem was with a device on an outside outlet of the circuit that the GFCI was in series with.
If it only kicks out when you have the air conditioner plugged in, it is my non-expert opinion that the GFCI is fine and the air conditioner is the problem.
The A/C unit's wiring might have a weak short path (e.g. moisture buildup) to the chassis or something like that.
I frequently need to replace the Chinese made GFI’s in my rentals. They seem to degrade over time. (The older American made GFI’s in my house have never needed replacement.)
If you do replace the GFCI, make sure you mark where all four wires go as you remove them.
Replace the GFCI. Cheapest first step.
Yes. Could be question of if it trips only when the compressor kicks in or when it’s just running with the fan. Look at the. Current specs for compressor startup first.
Couple things.
1. Yes a space heater does use less than an air conditioner.
2. It could be cycling more often than it used to in order to do the same job. Could need the condenser and Evaporator blown out with compressed air because of dust and lint. Cycling more will heat the GFI more.
3. GFIs are famous for getting weaker after they are tripped a few times. Meaning it takes less and less juice to trip them. I have had some that became quite a bit weaker after only being tripped once.
I had a GFCI once, it was awful! General fudge candy increments have nothing on real candy! Those damn acronyms again!
“The fan is the biggest load, and as it gets older and dustier the load increases.”
Absolutely, especially during spin up.
Yes, esp. if like 10 yrs old. But EPA regs drive AC prices higher. https://goldenrulephc.com/blog/air-conditioning-changes-2025/
Also I've seen GFCI's getting fooled thinking a motor and compressor starting, as on your old air conditioner, as a ground fault.
Get a new A/C
Retired electrical contractor.
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