Electrical
Why does my electricity keep tripping?
A trip switch is a safety device doing its job. It usually trips because of a faulty appliance, an overloaded circuit, or damp getting into wiring. If it trips again straight after resetting, stop and call an electrician.
What's tripping
In your consumer unit, circuit breakers (MCBs) protect each circuit from overload, and RCDs switch off the power when they detect current leaking to earth, which could mean a risk of electric shock.
Safe checks
- Switch off and unplug appliances on the circuit that tripped.
- Reset the switch once.
- Plug appliances back in one at a time. If it trips when one goes in, that appliance is the likely cause, so stop using it.
Safety: Don't keep resetting a switch that trips straight away, and never tape or hold a switch on. Don't open the consumer unit or touch wiring.
Common causes
- A faulty kettle, washing machine, oven element or outdoor light
- Too many high-power appliances on one circuit
- Water getting into outside sockets, lights or cables
- Damaged wiring, for example from a nail or screw
When to call an electrician
- It trips with everything unplugged
- It trips at random or keeps happening
- You can smell burning or see scorch marks
- It started after building work or a leak