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When a circuit breaker trips, it will shut down the air compressor system, and work comes to a halt. When a Porter Cable air compressor trips breaker, it’s a worrying issue, as you’ll no longer be able to use your air tools.
Therefore, it is important to understand the reasons why your Porter Cable air compressor keeps tripping breaker, and so, this article will provide you with all the relevant information, along with existing reader questions and responses.
Table of Contents
7 Reasons Porter Cable Air Compressor Keeps Tripping Breaker
Here is a table indicating the 7 most common reasons why a Porter Cable air compressor keeps tripping breaker:
| Reason | Comment |
|---|---|
| Air filter | If they are dirty, you will need to replace it |
| Broken extension cords | These are notorious for throttling power, and therefore you may be underpowering your compressor motor by using one |
| Clogged cylinders | Can hinder performance and trip breaker. You should inspect the cylinders (if your compressor has any). |
| Faulty circuit breaker | It could be the circuit breaker that is faulty. Replace if necessary. |
Faulty motor | The motor windings or any other electrical connections inside the motor may be shorting and this sudden flow of electricity pulls too many amps, tripping the breaker. |
| Failed capacitor | A failing capacitor can cause the breaker to trip, you should seek professional help to test this. |
Failed unloader valve | When an unloader valve fails, compressed air will become trapped over the cylinder piston and this adds to the load the compressor motor experiences on startup, tripping the breaker. |
For more detailed information on why an air compressor circuit breaker trips, visit our guide!
Reader Questions & Responses
Porter Cable Air Compressor Trips Breaker
Question
I have a 6 hp Porter Cable, model # CPF6025VP that I have been using connected to the same outlet for 12 years with no problems.
Now, it recently started growling and then blowing the breaker.
I plugged it directly into the wall socket and it appeared that it would work there, but now it is blowing the breaker again. Any suggestions?
Response
Joe, first off, I am astonished that any manufacturer says that you can run a 6 HP electric motor on 120 Volts, as the specs (I checked them) seem to indicate for this model of Porter Cable air compressor.
That it starts at all, even with no air in the tank in a nice and dry, warm (not hot) environment is amazing.
If you have a moment, wander over to the Sitemap page and have a read of the page compressor power supply to see what I’m talking about.
Having ranted thusly 🙂 I suspect that it won’t take very much of a backload or change in operating conditions for your compressor to exhibit the symptoms your Porter Cable air compressor is.
Troubleshooting this compressor may be as simple as, before you start it again, emptying the tank completely. Then try again. If it starts with an empty tank and runs to cut out, it suggests that the problem might be your unloader valve. Please check that out (see the unloader valve page for details).
If this is not the problem, please post a comment here.
If you have any questions regarding your Porter Cable air compressor tripping breaker, please leave a comment below, with a photo if applicable, so that someone can help you!
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