PTAC UNIT QUIT WORKING

switch on unit bad or wire burned off terminal

Try powering the whole system down for 20mins to allow for a reset of the computerised sections to occur

What trips? If you are referring to the circuit breaker then I suspect the breaker is not sufficient for the power the unit draws. Beware installing a higher amperage breaker. First be sure the wiring and all bomponents are adequate.

Either your household wiring has inverted hot/neutral or no ground connection, or the GFCI plug on the air conditioner is defective and needs to be replaced. Either way, you have some work to do: Using a circuit test plug (available everywhere inexpensively), verify that there is not a wiring issue with the outlet, and rewire the outlet as necessary. Once wiring is verified, if the GFCI plug on the air conditioner still trips, just replace the GFCI plug end, and done.

I think you've gotton your moneys worth with ten trouble free years. The power cords safety device is a bit more sensitive to a high resistive short to ground than your breaker is. I would suggest that there is exactly that: a high resistive short to ground within the cabinet of the PTAC. It has been years since I have been on a PTAC call and am unable to suggest specifics. But if you are competent and capable of using a DVOM, open up the unit and begin a systematic approach of determining the problem.

The FIRST thing I'd do is check the motor and the compressor with a digital megohmeter. Sometimes their problem will only show up with this sensitive device.

check the control board. Make sure all plug ins are seated good if not seat them. If not I bet its your board.

Your coils on the outside unit may need cleaning.When they get dirty, air cannot flow through them to remove heat from the refrigerant. When this happens pressure increases until it trips a safety and shuts the unit down.
It won't run again until the pressure drops to a safe level. Also check your drain line..Make sure it's dripping.If not it's clogged and that will trip the safety switch not allowing water to back up

The reset button is part of the cord. The cord has built in arc detection. This is a complex circuit that monitors the unit and senses potentially dangerous sparks or arcing inside the internal components of the A/C (motors, switches, etc.) It sounds like the problem is getting worse - as they usually do. Sparking and arcing happen when dirt, corrosion, etc. accumulates and can result in pitted contacts. All of these conditions only make the sparks and arcs worse. Page 1 of the manual (left column) says this:

If the Arc Detection Device has tripped, the
reset button will pop up.

Follow these steps to reset the Arc Detection
Device:

1. Unplug unit from electrical outlet
2. Press the reset button
3. Plug the unit back into electrical outlet
4. Check to see if power has returned to the unit

Testing

You should test the Arc Detection Device
equipped power cord monthly, after every major
electrical storm, or if power to your Room Air
Conditioner has been interrupted.

Follow these steps to test the Arc Detection
Device:

1. Unplug unit from electrical outlet
2. Press the reset button
3. Plug the unit back into electrical outlet
4. Press test button. Unit should trip and reset
button will pop up.
5. Press reset button again for use
If above test fails, stop using the air
conditioner and contact customer service by
calling the following toll-free number:
1-800-332-6658 or email:
[email protected]

I hope this helps & good luck!

well they do go bad was it eclectic storm it might have fired it. but make sure the unite is clean both front and back if have air compressor blow it out,Ok! hope this helps Paul

Check out these three main causes of a portable/room unit's failure:
http://yourhandymanzone.com/Your_Handyman_Zone_How_To_Pages_Home_Improvement_Zone_Cooling_Ventilation_Systems_Portable_Room_Air_Conditioners_Window_Air_Condit_Not_Turn_On.htm

Brad