Why Does My Power Keep Tripping?

A tripping RCD or MCB is actually a safety feature working correctly. It's detecting a fault and cutting power before it becomes dangerous. The challenge is identifying what's causing the trip.

Common Causes of Tripping in Newton Abbot Homes

1. Faulty Appliances

The most common cause. An appliance with a fault (damaged cable, water ingress, internal failure) causes the RCD to trip.

How to identify: Unplug all appliances, reset the RCD, then plug them back in one at a time. The appliance that causes the trip is the culprit.

Common offenders:

Kettles and toasters (water splash damage)
Washing machines (pump or motor failure)
Fridges and freezers (compressor faults)
Hair dryers and straighteners (cable damage)

2. Old Wiring

Newton Abbot has many properties from the 1950s-70s with original wiring. Insulation deteriorates over time, especially rubber-covered cables.

Signs of old wiring faults:

Trips happen without any obvious cause
Multiple circuits affected
Burning smell from sockets or switches
Visible cable damage

3. Overloaded Circuits

Modern families use far more electricity than older electrical systems were designed for. Overloading causes overheating and tripping.

High-demand items:

Electric heaters (up to 3kW each)
Hair dryers (1-2kW)
Kettles (3kW)
Washing machines (2-3kW during heating cycle)

4. Water Ingress

Moisture in sockets, switches, or junction boxes causes earth faults that trip the RCD.

Common sources:

Bathrooms (steam and splashing)
Kitchens (near sinks)
Outdoor sockets (rain ingress)
Conservatories (condensation)

5. Damaged Cables

Physical damage to cables (nail through wall, rodent damage, wear) can cause intermittent faults.

Where to check:

Under floorboards (rodent access)
Behind skirting boards
In lofts (heat damage)
Near recent DIY work

Immediate Steps When Power Trips

Step 1: Identify What's Tripping

Look at your consumer unit:

Single MCB down: Just one circuit affected
RCD down: Multiple circuits affected

Step 2: Unplug Everything

On the affected circuit(s), unplug all appliances from sockets.

Step 3: Reset the RCD/MCB

Push the switch firmly up. If it stays up, the problem was an appliance.

Step 4: Reconnect One by One

Plug appliances back in individually. When the power trips, you've found the problem.

Step 5: If It Won't Reset

Don't force it. If the RCD won't stay on even with everything unplugged, there's a wiring fault. Call an electrician.

Newton Abbot Housing Stock

Newton Abbot has a mix of housing types with different electrical challenges:

1950s-60s Council Estates (Milber, Buckland)

Often original wiring with outdated consumer units. Many benefit from rewiring or at least a consumer unit upgrade.

Victorian Properties (Town Centre)

Converted flats may have complex, poorly documented wiring from multiple conversions over the years.

1970s-80s Private Estates

Usually in better condition but may lack RCD protection. Consumer unit upgrade often sufficient.

New Build Estates (A38 Corridor)

Modern wiring but sometimes undersized for modern demands. May need additional circuits for EV chargers etc.

When to Call an Electrician

Call us if:

The RCD won't stay on after unplugging everything
Trips happen on multiple circuits simultaneously
You see sparks, smell burning, or notice scorch marks
Trips happen randomly without pattern
You're not comfortable working near your consumer unit

What We'll Check

When we attend a tripping problem, we:

Inspect the consumer unit for signs of damage or overheating
Test insulation resistance on all circuits
Check earth fault loop impedance
Test individual circuits to isolate the fault
Inspect suspect accessories and appliances

Most faults are diagnosed within an hour.

Prevention Tips

Don't overload sockets with multiple adaptors
Replace old appliances showing signs of wear
Keep sockets away from water in kitchens and bathrooms
Have an EICR every 10 years (5 for rental properties)
Consider a consumer unit upgrade if you have old rewirable fuses

Power problems in Newton Abbot? Grant's Electrical Solutions offers same-day callouts. Call 01626 374 059.

Power Keeps Tripping? Common Causes and Fixes for Newton Abbot Homes