Guide · Faults
Why Does My Electric Keep Tripping?
A tripping breaker or RCD is protection doing its job. The cause is usually one of four things.
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The usual causes
- A faulty appliance. The most common cause. Unplug everything on the circuit, reset the breaker, then plug items back in one at a time.
- Overload. Too much load on one circuit, for example several heaters on one socket circuit.
- Moisture. Water in outdoor sockets, lights or fittings leaks current to earth and trips the RCD.
- Damaged or ageing wiring. Insulation breaks down over time and leaks current, often showing up as a trip in damp weather.
What is safe to check
You can unplug appliances, reset the trip once, and note which circuit trips and when. Do not remove covers, and do not keep resetting a breaker that trips straight away. If you smell burning, see scorching, or a socket is hot, switch the circuit off and call an electrician.
When to call us
If a breaker trips repeatedly, if it will not reset with everything unplugged, or if the trip happens without an obvious cause, the circuit needs testing. We find the fault with insulation and earth tests rather than guessing. For a dead supply or anything unsafe, call 07405 361914, 24 hours a day.
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Questions we get asked
Before you call.
Is a tripping RCD dangerous?
The trip itself is the protection working. The cause needs finding, because repeated tripping means current is leaking somewhere it should not.
Why does my RCD trip when it rains?
Usually moisture in an outdoor socket, light or junction box. The fitting needs drying, repairing or replacing.
Will a new consumer unit fix it?
Not on its own. The fault in the circuit or appliance has to be found. A new consumer unit with RCBOs can isolate a fault to one circuit.
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