How to Run a Floor AC Unit Without Losing Power

Locate the circuit breaker box in the home. Open the box cover and identify the breaker linked to the outlet that controls the portable air conditioning unit. Confirm that the breaker amperage is suitable for the power requirements of the AC unit. If the breaker can’t handle the power load, it will trip, and the portable unit will lose power. Contact an electrician to replace the breaker if it fails to carry the requisite electricity load.

Plug the portable AC unit securely into its designated power outlet. A loose plug will cause the unit to lose power. If the unit doesn't turn on, unplug the power cord, wait 10 seconds then plug it back in to reset the connection.

Examine the wiring from the portable unit to the power breaker if the circuit breaker continues to trip. If the positive and negative electrical wiring is incorrectly connected to the breaker or outlet terminals, the circuit can't be completed, and the portable unit will either fail to turn on or not turn off. Rewire the electrical wiring or call an electrician to inspect the wiring.

Inspect the wires from the unit to the circuit breaker to see if two hot wires are touching. If two hot wires or a hot wire and a neutral wire touch each other, the unit will short out every time it's turned on. Two hot wires that touch each other are also a potentially dangerous situation and should be addressed by an electrician right away.

Unplug other electronic components from the power outlet shared with the portable air conditioning unit. A certain amount of amperage is designated for each circuit breaker, and circuit breakers can control one or more power outlets in an area of the home. If the electrical demands of the power outlet are too much for the circuit breaker, the breaker will trip, causing the unit to lose power.

Examine the state of the circuit breaker switch if the unit loses power. The circuit breaker switch should be in the “On” position in order for the unit to receive power. If the circuit breaker switch fails to remain in the “On” position, the circuit breaker could be defective or broken. Call an electrician to replace it.