“MY SAFETY SWITCH KEEPS TRIPPING”

Part I

This is one of the most common questions an Electrician can be asked. Trying to find the source of the problem can be time consuming and frustrating, especially when you need that power back on in a hurry!

All the same it’s important to remember that you are dealing with electrical current, so none of this should be rushed no matter how tempting. More importantly, a qualified, experienced electrician will most likely be needed to fix the problem…but to find it, there’s a good chance you can do that yourself, or at least narrow down the possibilities.  

The most common cause of a safety switch tripping is a faulty appliance. First things first, unplug all of your appliances – including your fridge – to troubleshoot the issue. Older washing machines can often be the culprit, but even a kettle sitting in a small puddle you haven’t noticed yet can be the reason your switch keeps tripping.

After your appliances are disconnected, re-connect them back into the circuit one at a time. The faulty appliance will cause the RCD to trip; thus showing you which appliance is faulty.

After unplugging all appliances, or turning them off, see if the RCD will reset. If the RCD will reset, the fault is with one of the appliances; if the RCD trips again the fault is with the electrical circuit – it’s time to call ATS!