Power Keeps Tripping?
Frequent trips indicate an electrical fault that needs professional attention. Our CHAS approved electricians quickly diagnose and fix the problem.
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Why Does My Electricity Keep Tripping?
First, identify which device has tripped. Open your consumer unit and look at the switches. A narrow switch (MCB) in the 'off' position means an overload or short circuit on that single circuit. A wider switch (RCD) tripped means current is leaking to earth – potentially through damaged insulation, a faulty appliance, or moisture in a junction box. This distinction tells us exactly where to start looking.
The most common scenario we see in Devon homes is an RCD tripping intermittently. This is often caused by degraded cable insulation in older properties – particularly where cables run through damp cavity walls or under floorboards near radiator pipes. The insulation resistance drops below the safe threshold (typically 1MΩ per circuit), and the RCD does its job. We diagnose this by performing an insulation resistance test on each circuit with our Megger multifunction tester, isolating circuits one by one until we find the culprit.
If your MCB trips when you plug in a specific appliance – a washing machine, tumble dryer, or immersion heater are the usual suspects – try unplugging that appliance and resetting. If it holds, the appliance likely has an internal fault. But if the MCB trips with nothing plugged in, you've got a wiring fault that needs tracing. We carry thermal imaging cameras on every van to help pinpoint hotspots in concealed wiring without lifting floorboards unnecessarily.
Common Causes of Tripping
Overloaded Circuit
Too many appliances running simultaneously on one circuit exceeds its capacity, causing the MCB to trip as a safety measure.
Faulty Appliance
A damaged appliance with internal faults can draw excessive current or cause short circuits, triggering the circuit breaker.
Short Circuit
Live and neutral wires coming into contact creates a dangerous surge of current. Often caused by damaged cables or faulty connections.
Earth Fault / Ground Fault
Current leaking to earth through damaged insulation or faulty appliances triggers RCD protection devices.
Outdated Consumer Unit
Old fuse boxes with rewirable fuses or outdated MCBs may trip frequently due to sensitivity issues or worn components.
Water Ingress
Moisture entering electrical connections, outdoor sockets, or junction boxes causes earth faults and trips RCDs.
When to Call an Electrician
- The circuit trips repeatedly after being reset
- Multiple circuits trip at the same time
- You can't identify which appliance is causing the trip
- The trip is accompanied by burning smell or sparks
- Water or flooding may have affected your electrics
- You're frequently resetting the same circuit breaker
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my electricity keep tripping?
Frequent tripping is usually caused by overloaded circuits, faulty appliances, short circuits, or earth faults. Your consumer unit is designed to trip as a safety measure. If it keeps happening, professional diagnosis is needed to identify the underlying cause.
Is it dangerous if my RCD keeps tripping?
An RCD tripping indicates current is leaking to earth, which could cause electric shock if unprotected. While the RCD is doing its job protecting you, the underlying fault needs urgent investigation to prevent potential hazards.
How much does it cost to fix a tripping circuit?
Diagnostic inspection typically costs £60-£120. Repairs vary from simple appliance replacement to more complex rewiring. A faulty MCB replacement costs around £80-£150, while full RCBO consumer unit upgrades start from £499 plus VAT in Devon – we only install RCBO boards as standard.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my power keep tripping?
The most common causes are faulty appliances, moisture in circuits, degraded cable insulation, overloaded circuits, or a failing RCD/MCB. We use systematic testing to identify the exact cause.
How much does it cost to fix tripping power?
Diagnosis starts at £80 plus VAT. Most tripping faults are diagnosed within 1-2 hours. Repair costs range from £80 for a simple appliance fault to £200-£500 for wiring issues.
Is it safe to keep resetting a tripping RCD?
Resetting once to test is fine, but repeated resetting without identifying the fault is dangerous. The RCD is protecting you from electric shock — if it keeps tripping, the underlying fault needs fixing.
Why does my power trip at night?
Night-time tripping often relates to appliances on timer circuits (immersion heaters, storage heaters) or condensation/moisture building up overnight and causing earth leakage in outdoor or bathroom circuits.