Our home’s electricity is vital for everyday living, from powering the television to boiling the kettle. However, our reliance on electricity can make repeated tripping a frustrating experience.
Here in our article, we cover five of the most common causes of why electricity keeps tripping in your home and what to do about it.
5 Reasons Why Your Electricity Keeps Tripping
1. An Overloaded Circuit
Designed to protect electrical wires from overheating, circuit breakers are a vital safety feature. However, when too much electricity flows through the circuit, it trips to avoid a potential fire.
To test a frequently tripping circuit, first switch off the breaker that has tripped, then unplug the electrical appliances connected to the circuit. Next, switch the breaker back on and then plug the appliances back in. If the circuit trips again after plugging in a certain device, then you’ve likely found the cause, and the fix is often simply a case of moving the appliance to another circuit.
2. Faulty or Old Appliances
Tripping electricity isn’t always the result of your electrical system; sometimes it can be due to an old or faulty appliance.
Often, the simplest solution is to replace the appliance if it’s old or return it if still within warranty. A quick inspection, if you know what you’re doing, or having it checked by a reliable electrician to identify the cause, can also help.
3. A Short Circuit
Caused by a range of issues, from poor maintenance to pests chewing wires, a short circuit can often be identified in the same way as an overloaded circuit. If the electricity is tripping every time you plug an appliance into a certain outlet, then it’s probably due to a short circuit.
The best solution in this case is to contact a qualified electrician to repair the issue, as repeated short circuiting can cause further damage to your home’s wiring.
4. A Ground Fault
Often the result of an exposed wire coming into contact with a conductor, such as water or metal, ground faults are the result of electricity deviating from its expected path. As ground faults can be caused by leaking water, it can be incredibly dangerous to fix yourself, so contacting a qualified electrician is always highly recommended.
5. A Faulty Circuit Breaker
There are many reasons for electricity tripping, so if any of the above solutions seem to work, the answer could be due to a faulty circuit breaker.
Much like with household appliances, circuit breakers will be more susceptible to issues over time and may need replacing. If the breaker is constantly tripping, won’t reset or shows signs of damage, then it is likely to be the cause of the problem.
Why Electricity Keeps Tripping: Final Thoughts
There are a variety of reasons for electricity tripping in the home or workplace, so having an idea of the different causes can be helpful for a quick solution.
Here at A&J Bartlett, we diagnose and resolve electrical issues across Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. We operate from our Ashby-de-la-Zouch office, covering a 30-mile radius across the East Midlands.
Call the team today on 01530 441 878 or email info@aandj-bartlett-ltd.co.uk to discuss your needs and see what we can do for you.
