I noticed that the AC in my downstairs area was blowing air but not cooling. When I checked the circuit panel, I saw that the AC breaker had tripped to a middle position. I switched it off, then back on, and saw an arc inside the panel when I did this. The breaker immediately returned to the middle position. I didn't feel a shock, but I've heard there could be internal damage even without feeling anything. Is that true? I called my landlord, and she's sending an electrician, so I won't touch it again. Just looking to know if I should be concerned about any risks, especially related to my heart.
3 Answers
It sounds like there might be a direct short in your AC unit. The arc likely occurred from the internal components of the breaker reacting to that short. But don’t worry—the breaker tripped fast enough that you weren't exposed to any significant hazard. As long as the panel cover was on, everything should be fine. Great call waiting for the electrician! Hope your AC gets fixed soon!
When you flip a breaker with a load on the circuit, a tiny arc can happen, which is usually nothing to worry about. Just a quick surge of current can cause a flash, but your breaker did its job, so you should be all good. Let the pros handle it from here for peace of mind. No need to stress!
Seeing that arc can be alarming, but you're likely fine! Electricity flows through the path of least resistance, so it's good that the breaker tripped. What you observed is often just a sign of a short circuit trying to draw too much power, causing the breaker to do its job and trip quickly. All in all, the risk of shock was really minimal, especially since you didn't actually feel anything.
Thank you for the reassurance!
Thanks so much! ?