The present invention relates to an air conditioner and a method for controlling the same, the air conditioner comprising: a power supply unit, which is connected to a generator, which receives generator power, which rectifies and smoothes the same, and which supplies DC power; a voltage sensing unit for measuring the voltage of the DC power from the power supply unit; a driving unit, which converts the DC power and supplies the same to a compressor, and which controls driving of the compressor; and a control unit for recognizing an operation mode related to the generator power and setting a generator mode, the control unit determining, in the case of an operation in the generator mode, whether the generator power is overloaded or not in response to the voltage measured by the voltage sensing unit, and the control unit limiting the operation of the compressor when it is determined that the generator power is overloaded. Accordingly, the operation is controlled by sensing whether the supplied power is overloaded or not such that the supplied power is prevented from being overloaded, frequent on/off operations of the air conditioner are prevented, thereby guaranteeing continuous operations, and any damage to the power supply and the product is prevented, thereby providing the user with convenience and more comfortable environments.