Why Your Electrics Keep Tripping & What to Check Before Calling an Electrician

🔧 If your electrics keep tripping, it can be frustrating and concerning. Before you call an electrician, there are five simple checks you can do that might solve the problem. This guide will walk you through the process, helping you identify and fix common electrical issues. 🔎⚙️

Step 1: Reset the Breaker & Check for Blown Bulbs 💡🔄⚠️

The first thing to do is reset the tripped breaker in your consumer unit. Follow these steps:

1. 📸 Take a photo of your consumer unit to record which breaker has tripped.

2. 🔄 Try resetting the breaker by switching it back on.

3. 💡 Check your lights—a blown bulb can sometimes cause an RCD (Residual Current Device) to trip.

If the breaker resets and everything works fine, the issue may have been a one-time fault. However, if the breaker trips again, you need to investigate further. 🔍

Step 2: Identify the Faulty Circuit ⚡🔍🔧

If the breaker trips again, the next step is to find out which circuit is causing the problem. Here’s how:

1. ⚙️ Check if it’s the RCD or an individual breaker —RCDs control multiple circuits, while individual breakers protect specific ones.

2. 🔄 Turn off all circuits controlled by the tripped RCD.

3. ✅ Reset the RCD—if it stays on, begin turning circuits back on one by one.

4. ❌ If a particular circuit trips the RCD, that circuit is where the fault lies.

At this stage, you now know which part of the house has the issue. 🏡⚡

*RCD's circled in above photo with button, MCB's on are breakers without button.

Step 3: Unplug Appliances & Isolate the Fault 🔌🛠️🚦

Once you have identified the problematic circuit, unplug as many appliances as possible from that circuit. Some common culprits include:

- 🔥 Kettle – Faulty heating elements can cause tripping.

- ❄️ Fridge/freezer – A failing compressor might be the issue.

- 🍞 Toaster or microwave – These frequently cause electrical faults.

Test the circuit again:

- ✅ If the power stays on, one of the unplugged appliances was causing the problem.

- ❌ If the power still trips, the issue might be with a fixed appliance (e.g., oven, hob, boiler). 🔧

Step 4: Check Fixed Appliances 🔩👀⚡

Some appliances are hardwired, meaning you can’t simply unplug them. If you suspect a fixed appliance, try:

1. 🎛️ Turning off the appliance’s isolator switch (e.g., oven or boiler switch).

2. 🔄 Resetting the breaker again.

If the breaker stays on after turning off a fixed appliance, the appliance likely needs repair. 🛠️💡

Step 5: Consider External Factors (Weather & DIY Work) 🌧️🏠🛠️

If you still can’t find the cause, ask yourself:

- 🌧️ Is it raining outside? Outdoor sockets, garden lights, or water-damaged extension leads could be causing a short.

- 🛠️ Have you done any DIY recently? Drilling or nailing into a wall might have hit a cable, causing a short circuit.

If you suspect you’ve drilled into a wire, turn off the power immediately and call an electrician, as this can be a serious fire hazard. 🚨🔥

When to Call an Electrician 📞⚙️🔧

If after all these checks your electrics are still tripping, it’s time to call a qualified electrician. By going through these steps first, you may have already eliminated some common issues, saving the electrician time and reducing your repair costs. 💰⚡

Final Thoughts 🤔💡✅

Tripped electrics can be caused by simple issues like blown bulbs or faulty appliances, but they can also indicate more serious problems. By following these five steps, you can quickly diagnose the issue and possibly resolve it yourself. 🔍🛠️

If you're still experiencing issues, Great Park Electrical is here to help. Contact us today for professional fault-finding and electrical repairs. 🚗🔧

Need an electrician? Call us now or book an appointment online! 📞💡✔️