Circuit Tripped? Your First-Step Guide Before Calling an Electrician
It’s a familiar scenario: you’re in the middle of a task, and suddenly, a section of your home loses power. The immediate instinct is often to call an electrician, but taking a few simple troubleshooting steps yourself can often identify the problem, potentially saving you both time and a call-out fee.
Before you can troubleshoot, you need to know what kind of protection your home uses. Head to your switchboard (often called a fuse box) and see what you have.
Your circuit protection is designed to protect your home’s wiring and prevent fires or electric shocks by cutting the power when it detects a fault. There are three common types of devices you might find:
Fuses: The oldest style, these are small ceramic or glass cartridges containing a thin wire designed to melt and break the circuit if too much current flows through it. Fuses are single-use and must be replaced once blown.
Circuit Breakers (MCBs): These are the modern equivalent of fuses. They look like small switches that will automatically flip to the “off” position when they detect an overload or short circuit. They are a huge convenience as they can simply be reset.
RCBOs (Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Overcurrent Protection): This is the most advanced of the three. An RCBO combines the overload and short circuit protection of a standard circuit breaker with sensitive earth fault detection, which protects you from serious electric shock. They look similar to circuit breakers but usually have an additional test button (often marked with a 'T').
What to Do When the Power Goes Out - Follow these steps based on the type of device you have:
For Homes with Circuit Breakers or RCBOs
Identify the Tripped Breaker: Open your switchboard and look for a switch that is in the "off" position while the others are "on."
Unplug Everything: Go to the room or area that has lost power and unplug every appliance from the sockets on that circuit. This includes TVs, lamps, chargers, and kitchen appliances. This step is crucial for diagnosing the issue.
Reset the Breaker: Return to the switchboard and firmly push the tripped switch back to the "on" position (you may need to switch fully to the “off” position first).
Assess the Result:
If it stays on: The fault is likely with one of the appliances you unplugged. You can now plug them back in, one by one, until the circuit trips again. The last item you plugged in is the culprit. Do not use this appliance until it has been repaired or replaced.
If it trips immediately: This suggests the fault may be within the fixed wiring of your home. At this point, it’s time to call a licenced electrician.
For Homes with Fuses
Identify the Blown Fuse: A blown fuse can be difficult to spot. You may need to inspect each fuse carrier in the affected circuit.
Turn Off the Main Switch: For safety, switch off the main power at the switchboard before touching any fuses.
Unplug Everything: Just as with circuit breakers, unplug all appliances on the affected circuit.
Replace the Fuse: Carefully remove the fuse carrier and replace the blown fuse wire or cartridge with a new one of the exact same rating. Using a higher-rated fuse is a serious fire hazard. The correct rating (e.g., 5A, 13A) is usually printed on the fuse carrier.
Restore Power: Close the fuse carrier and turn the main power switch back on. If the new fuse blows immediately, the fault is in the circuit’s wiring, and you should call a licenced electrician.
It is always much safer to have your fuses and circuit breakers replaced with compliant RCBO’s (safety Switches).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?
A: This is usually caused by one of two things: an overloaded circuit (too many high-power appliances running at once) or a faulty appliance that is causing a fault. Sometimes the fixed wiring has become damaged and has created a fault, this is less common but much more serious. Our troubleshooting steps will help you determine which it is.
Q: Is it safe to just keep resetting a breaker?
A: No. If a breaker trips repeatedly after you've unplugged everything, it’s a clear sign of a persistent electrical fault that needs professional attention. Continuously resetting it can cause further damage or create a fire risk.
Q: Can I use a thicker fuse wire if the old one keeps blowing?
A: Absolutely not. The fuse wire is designed to be the weakest link in the circuit. Using a wire that is too thick or rated too high will prevent the fuse from blowing under fault conditions, allowing the circuit to dangerously overheat and potentially cause a fire. Always use the correct rating.
By following these simple checks, you can safely diagnose some common electrical issues. However, always remember: if you smell burning, see scorch marks, or are ever in doubt, turn off the power at the mains and call a qualified electrician immediately. Your safety is always our top priority.