Why does my safety switch keep tripping?
Do you know what to do when your safety switch trips?
Safety switches are an important part of any home. They are also known as RCD sensors (residual current devices) and are designed to shut off your electricity source automatically when an electrical fault or hazard is detected. They are an ingenious and essential device every home must have to protect you and your family.
When your power is shut down it means your safety switch is doing exactly what it is meant to do, and even though, at the time it seems like a nuisance you can be thankful your safety switch is working.
The question is, what is causing this to happen, and additionally, what do you do when it trips?
Where can I find the safety switch?
Your safety switch is located in your fuse box or switchboard, and will generally be shown as 'ON' unless an electrical problem has been detected. It will then trip and switch to 'OFF'.
If your power has been turned off and you check your safety switch and it is still showing as on, your safety switch is not the problem. However, if your safety switch has turned off, you will need to work out why it has tripped.
Common reasons why your safety switch has tripped
- Water damage - will need an electrician to fix
- Temporary electrical fault
- Electrical storms and lightning can trigger the RCD sensors
- Damaged wiring somewhere in the home
- Faulty appliance - a common issue
- Overload - too many electrical appliances running at once from a power point
- A faulty safety switch
In most instances, when your safety switch has tripped, you don’t have to be a professional electrician to troubleshoot and reset the tripped safety switch. Often you can to identify the problem and get your system up and running again.
In the event of your power going out, try to simply turn your safety switch back on. In some instances, this is all that is needed. However, if it switches off again you will need to then check to see what is the cause. The best way to deal with this is to unplug every electrical appliance, this is to eliminate the possibility of any faulty appliances. Then turn your safety switch back on, if it remains on, re-plug each appliance and should your safety switch trip you will know what is the cause. The most common culprits are kettles, toasters, irons, freezers and fridges. Less likely is a washing machine or range hood, however, if you find the appliance causing the issue, keep it unplugged and have a licensed technician repair it.
If checking your appliances does not remedy the issue, it is highly recommended you call a licensed and qualified electrician to locate what is causing the problem.
Queensland has strict electrical safety laws. These are aimed to prevent people from being killed or injured and property from being destroyed or damaged by electricity. A person who performs electrical work in Queensland must have an electrical work licence authorising the work. They are required by law to ensure electrical work is performed in accordance with legislative requirements and any applicable codes of practice and technical standards.
Pugin Power are your local Gold Coast electricians
For tripping safety switch problems on the Gold Coast give our electricians a call at 1300 029 795.
Reference - Worksafe QLD - electrical safety laws