What is wrong with my central air conditioning?

Question

I live in an apartment building with 7 other units. When I turn on my central air, it works for a short while and then the power switch IN THE CIRCUIT BREAKER BOX goes out. What is wrong? I've even tried turning everything off except maybe my tv while it's running and on a few times I've sat in the dark or left only to find that the circuit breaker switch had flipped off again.

Now today, everytime I turn it on, within one minute (literally) it turns off. I've done this 6 times today already. I've even shut the power off in the kitchen hoping that would help it run.

I know that when the air reaches the temp it's set for it will shut off, but it's 85deg in my house and the circuit breaker is NOT supposed to shut off.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY CENTRAL AIR AND WHAT CAN I DO BEFORE CALLING MY LANDLORDS TO FIX THIS? PLEASE HELP ME

Answer 1

Might just need to change the circuit breaker itself.

Answer 2

you need to call your landlord. it's their issue. your box is some how overloaded. don't keep turning it on and off. leave it off and let them deal with it.

Answer 3

It could be to much power being used or, the circuit breaker is bad and has to be replaced.

Answer 4

Your ac unit is drawing too much current,you either have a short circuit in your ac unit itself or something is wrong with the ac unit.Could be bad breaker also,but if you keep resetting the breaker it WILL be bad.Call the landlord and let him worrie about it.

Answer 5

This is definitely not normal, something needs to be fixed and it's your landlord's job to fix it.  Don't let him or her off the hook, make them fix it right away!

Answer 6

Sounds like you have tried to pinpoint the probelm within your unit to no avail.  Call the landlord and tell him you have tried decreasing the amount of "juice" your apt. draws, but it still isn't functioned correctly.  There is something wrong, probably not in your unit.  Could be a faulty wire, or problem in another apt that is shorting the whole system.  don't do anything else to troubleshoot, he might hold you accountable. good luck.

Answer 7

Sounds like the a/c unit is drawing too much current. It is possible the compressor is starting to go. Have your landlord check it regardless.

Answer 8

there's nothing you can do, you have to call the lanlord.  he won't care, he's got a special guy he calls that gives him a deal.  it could be a few different things causing this.