Why does my RCD keep tripping?
The most common reasons the power keeps cutting out, what you can safely check yourself, and when to call us.
An RCD is a safety switch on your fuse board. It cuts the power in a fraction of a second if it senses electricity leaking somewhere it shouldn’t, which is exactly what you want it to do.
Try this first
- Unplug everything on the circuit that tripped.
- Switch the RCD back on.
- Plug things back in one at a time. If it trips when you plug in one item, that appliance is the likely culprit.
Common causes
- A faulty appliance: kettles, washing machines and outdoor lights are regular offenders.
- Water getting into an outside socket or light.
- Damaged cable, for example a nail or screw through a wire.
If it keeps tripping with everything unplugged, or you smell burning, leave it off and call us.