Hi XXXXXXXX;
The trip device is a GFCI breaker. It serves the same function as a regular breaker but it is so efficient that if you were to grab a live wire it would shut the power down before you felt more than half a tingle.
The reason it trips is because you have a direct short to ground in the unit. If you had a power surge then the control card is most likely toast.
It will require servicing.
Unfortunatly I do not recommend that you as a novice attempt this repair.
The electrical componants of A/C units like this one can be dangerous to the inexperienced DIYer to say the least.
What you can do is unplug the unit and then remove the front placstic grill.
Remove the screws that secure the unit to the outer sleeve and pull it out. Make sure that there is no water in the bottom of the unit. If there is this may be your short.
If it is dry you can now take it to a heating and air conditioning shop for service. Just the service call to your house can cost you upwards of $100.00+.
As these units new run about $300.00 +/- you would be better off getting a new one. Thdepending on the problem the repair can cost motre that a new unit.
Please post any other concerns here.
Best, THS
Well, I dislike haveing to tell this to people, but these type of units have a control card in them that is almost the very same thing that you are communicating with me on. It is a computer. As such it is subject to the same damages as your PC. If a power surge hit your PC with no surge protection in line it would fry your system. True? You bet it is.
I am sorry but if as you mentioned previously there was a surge then the most logical problem would be a fried control card. Considering that the GFCI keeps tripping I would have no qualms betting a crisp Franklin on it.
Your best course of action, seeings as the unit is new, would be to return it as defective. Not exactly honest but I think it is better than eating the cost of a new unit.
Handyman
Over 25 years in the construction trades.