Why did my aircon start tripping after a service visit?
A breaker that started tripping after a service is pointing at the work, not at the equipment. Something was opened and not closed properly. The trip is protecting you from what that left behind.
By Team Snowflake | Updated 19 Aug 2026
1. A terminal left under-tightened
Trips that began after a visit, and worsen when the unit works hard or the weather turns, usually mean a terminal screw was not fully tightened when it was put back. The connection still holds in calm conditions. Under load or damp it heats, resists, and the breaker sees a fault.
How to tell
This path is a mechanical connection. Unlike a cover left open, it trips under electrical load rather than tracking the humidity. There is no water involved and the enclosure is dry inside.
- The trips started only after the service or top-up visit.
- They happen under heavy load or in bad weather.
- A sharp or acrid smell lingers around the outdoor switch.
- The trips are becoming more frequent over time.
How we confirm it
We open the terminals that were worked on and check each one for tightness and heat damage. Anything discoloured is replaced, then the unit runs under load to confirm it stays cool.
Avoid running the circuit once anything smells sharp or scorched at the switch. A terminal that has begun arcing degrades every time it is re-energised, so each reset makes the repair larger.
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2. A protective cover left open
Trips that follow humid days, on a unit serviced recently, can mean a protective cover was not fully closed after a terminal was checked. That small gap lets ambient moisture settle on an exposed terminal. Once enough moisture bridges it, the breaker cuts the circuit.
How to tell
This path tracks the weather. Unlike an under-tightened terminal, dry days pass without trouble no matter how hard the unit works. The trigger is moisture reaching a terminal rather than load through it.
- The trips follow humid weather rather than heavy use.
- It behaves normally on dry days.
- A cover or panel near the terminals sits slightly open.
- Nothing was wrong before the service visit.
How we confirm it
We dry and inspect the exposed terminal, then close and secure the protective cover properly. The connection is checked for corrosion before the circuit is put back into service.
Never leave a protective cover open on live terminals until the next visit. It is there to keep moisture off the connection, and an open cover is what is causing the trips.
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Tell us what’s going on. Symptoms, setup, photos, anything we should know. We’ll assess and come back with the right next step.