What to Do When Your Electrics Trip
Safety-first guide to common causes of tripping circuit breakers and safe troubleshooting process.
Mark Davies
What to Do When Your Electrics Keep Tripping
A tripping circuit breaker is your electrical system's safety mechanism in action. While frustrating, it's protecting your home from potential electrical hazards. This guide helps you identify causes and resolve the issue safely.
Understanding Your Consumer Unit
Types of Protection Devices
- MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers): Protect against overload and short circuits
- RCDs (Residual Current Devices): Protect against earth faults
- RCBOs: Combine MCB and RCD protection
What the Switches Mean
- UP position: Circuit is ON
- DOWN position: Circuit is OFF/tripped
- Middle position: Device has tripped
Common Causes of Tripping
Overloaded Circuits
Most common cause - Too many appliances drawing power from one circuit
- Multiple high-power appliances on same circuit
- Extension leads with multiple devices
- Kettle, toaster, microwave used simultaneously
Faulty Appliances
Damaged or worn appliances can cause earth faults or short circuits
- Damaged power cables
- Internal component failure
- Water ingress in appliances
- Worn insulation
Electrical Faults
- Loose connections in sockets or switches
- Damaged wiring
- Moisture in electrical installations
- Rodent damage to cables
Safe Troubleshooting Steps
Step 1: Identify What's Tripped
- Check your consumer unit/fuse box
- Look for switches in middle or down position
- Note which circuits are affected
- Don't immediately reset - investigate first
Step 2: Unplug All Appliances
- Switch off and unplug all appliances on affected circuit
- Include items like phone chargers, lamps, TVs
- Turn off all light switches on the circuit
Step 3: Reset the Breaker
- Push tripped switch fully DOWN first
- Then push firmly UP to reset
- If it trips immediately, there's a wiring fault - call electrician
- If it stays on, proceed to next step
Step 4: Test Each Appliance
- Plug in and switch on appliances one at a time
- Wait a few minutes between each appliance
- If breaker trips when testing an appliance, that's likely the culprit
- Stop using faulty appliance until repaired/replaced
Different Types of Tripping
MCB Tripping (Individual Circuit)
Causes:
- Circuit overload
- Short circuit in wiring or appliance
- Faulty MCB (rare)
RCD Tripping (Multiple Circuits)
Causes:
- Earth fault in appliance
- Damaged cable causing earth leakage
- Moisture in outdoor electrical equipment
- Accumulation of small earth leakages
When to Call an Electrician
Contact a qualified electrical professional immediately if:
Danger Signs
- Burning smells from electrical equipment
- Scorch marks around sockets or switches
- Crackling or buzzing sounds
- Electric shocks from appliances
- Lights flickering when appliances start
Persistent Problems
- Breaker trips immediately when reset
- Frequent tripping with no obvious cause
- Multiple circuits tripping simultaneously
- RCD won't reset or won't test properly
Preventing Electrical Tripping
Load Management
- Don't use multiple high-power appliances simultaneously
- Spread electrical loads across different circuits
- Use appropriate extension leads (not daisy-chained)
- Check appliance power ratings
Regular Maintenance
- Test RCD monthly using test button
- Keep electrical panels clean and dry
- Check appliance cables for damage
- Don't ignore minor electrical problems
Understanding Circuit Ratings
Typical Household Circuits
- 6A: Lighting circuits
- 16A: Immersion heater, some socket circuits
- 20A: Radial socket circuits
- 32A: Ring main socket circuits
- 40A: Electric cooker
- 45A: Electric shower
Appliance Power Usage Guide
| Appliance | Typical Power | 32A Circuit Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Kettle | 2-3kW | 2-3 simultaneously |
| Microwave | 0.8-1.2kW | 5-6 simultaneously |
| Vacuum cleaner | 1-2kW | 4-5 simultaneously |
| Hair dryer | 1.5-2kW | 3-4 simultaneously |
| Electric heater | 1-3kW | 2-4 simultaneously |
Electrical Safety Reminders
- Never work on live electrical systems
- Turn off power at consumer unit before electrical work
- Use a qualified electrician for all fixed wiring
- Don't attempt repairs you're not qualified for
- Keep electrical installations dry
Cost of Professional Electrical Work
- Electrical safety inspection: £150-£300
- Circuit fault finding: £80-£150 per hour
- Consumer unit upgrade: £400-£800
- New circuit installation: £150-£400
Conclusion
Tripping electrical circuits are usually resolvable through systematic troubleshooting, but safety must always come first. When in doubt, consult a qualified electrician rather than risk electrical hazards.
Need professional electrical assistance? Get a quote to find qualified electricians in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
By Health and Safety Executive
"A circuit breaker is a device or piece of equipment that cuts off the electrical supply if a fault is detected. This helps to protect your home and electrical appliances from damage caused by electrical faults."
By Electrical Safety First
"An RCD, or residual current device, is a life-saving device which is designed to prevent you from getting a fatal electric shock if you touch something live, such as a bare wire. It can also provide some protection against electrical fires."
By Trading Standards
"The main purpose of a consumer unit, also known as a fuse box, is to control and distribute electricity around the home. It is equipped with several fuses or circuit breakers that help prevent electrical overloads and short circuits."
