Fuse box keeps tripping
30/10/2021
Aghhh! Lights gone out? Sockets not working? The fuse box keeps tripping again?
Fuses are incredibly important safety components used in all electrical circuits. While it can be incredibly frustrating when it trips, it’s there to keep us safe. It’s a sign that somewhere in your property, there could be a faulty electrical appliance or wiring.
When a current is too high and therefore unsafe, the circuit will break, preventing the flow of electricity. They protect appliances from being damaged and can prevent electrical fires.
Check your fuse box to see if any of the electrical breaker switches have flipped downwards. It’s most often caused by either an overloaded circuit or a faulty appliance, and you can usually figure out exactly what’s causing the issue through a simple process of elimination.
How does a trip switch fuse box work?
Think of it like a safety watchdog. When your fuse box detects something off—like too much electricity flowing—it shuts off the circuit instantly to protect your home. It’s a small flick of a switch that prevents big trouble.
Where can I find my fuse box?
Fuse boxes love to play hide and seek. They’re often found in hallways, utility rooms, under the stairs, or near the front door. If you live in a flat, check inside cupboards or next to the front door. Get to know where yours is before you’re left in the dark—literally.
How do I know if I’ve overloaded a circuit?
Circuits are designed to handle a certain amount of electricity deemed safe. Too many devices being used at once draw more electricity than they can manage safely, and the fuse will trip.
If you’ve been using lots of appliances in one room, you’ve likely overloaded the circuit. Extension leads are often the source of the problem. Just because they have multiple sockets doesn’t mean you should use all of them at one time.
Unplug some of them and move the tripped fuse switch back to the on position.
How do I know if an appliance is faulty?
If you’ve just plugged a device in and it tripped the switch, the appliance is the cause of the problem. There could be an issue with the wiring, or the appliance might be getting old.
Not sure what appliance you plugged in last? If your fuse switches are labelled, you’ll be able to identify the room or circuit where the fault is located.
If not, you’ll need to unplug all of the devices on your own and reset the fuse as you plug them back in one by one, until you find out which one is causing the switch to trip.
Don’t continue to use the faulty appliance
Once you know what’s causing the problem, you shouldn’t use the appliance until it’s been checked over.
If it’s new, you might still be under warranty and be able to get a replacement or refund. Older appliances might not be under warranty and need to be examined by a qualified electrician.
Unless you are a professional, dealing with faulty electrics on your own is not worth your safety. It’s always better to have an expert come and help.
What if my fuse box keeps tripping?
If you’ve followed the steps above and either haven’t found why your fuse is tripping, or it keeps happening, then the issue could be with the fuse box itself.
Signs can include:
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The main breaker is tripping, but the individual breakers are fine
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The breaker won’t stay reset
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A burning smell in the electrical box
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A circuit breaker that keeps tripping frequently
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Signs of damage to a breaker, like scorch marks
At this stage, call a qualified electrician. We can’t stress enough that you should not perform any electrical work if you are not 100% confident in your abilities.
How to fix a tripped fuse box
Start by unplugging devices that may have triggered the trip. Locate the switch that’s down and flip it back to the ‘on’ position. If it stays up, great. If not, there’s likely an appliance or wiring issue that still needs attention.
Reset your fuse switch
Look for the circuit switch that’s different from the rest—it’s probably pointing downward. Flip it firmly upward. If the power stays on, you’re sorted. If it flips back off, there’s still a problem.
Resetting older fuse boxes
If you’ve got a traditional fuse box with actual fuse wire, you’ll need to manually replace the blown fuse. Unless you’re confident in your electrical skills, it’s a good idea to get an electrician to do this safely.
Overloaded Circuit
Too many gadgets plugged into the same circuit are a recipe for trouble. Heaters, kettles, and hairdryers use loads of power, especially on extension leads. If your fuse trips often in one room, this could be the cause.
Faulty Electrical Appliance
Appliances that are old, damaged, or just built poorly can short out a circuit in a flash. If your fuse keeps tripping after using the same appliance, stop using it right away and have it looked at.
Final Thoughts
A tripping fuse box might be annoying, but it’s a critical part of your home’s safety system. Whether it’s caused by an overloaded circuit, a dodgy appliance, or a deeper wiring fault, your fuse box is doing exactly what it’s supposed to: protecting your home.
If the problem keeps coming back or you’re unsure about anything, don’t hesitate to call in the pros. At PlusHeat, we’re here to keep you safe, powered, and stress-free.
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