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Your safety switch, also known as a residual current device (RCD), sits in your switchboard and cuts the power almost instantly if it detects a current leak from wiring or an appliance. So when your safety switch keeps tripping and won’t reset, it’s doing its job, but it’s also telling you something is wrong.
In this article, we’ll explain why a safety switch trips, what to do in the meantime, and what a licensed electrician looks for during an inspection.
If you’re already dealing with this issue, the first thing to do is unplug all appliances immediately, then contact our team. Faulty safety switches are serious, and we can send a licensed electrician to your door to inspect it.
Your switchboard may be either outdated or overloaded. Whatever the case, we’ll conduct a detailed analysis and outline the options available. If follow-up work is required, you’ll receive an honest quote and a clear explanation of any work that needs to be undertaken.
We can send a licensed electrician to Doncaster, Hawthorn, Nunawading, or anywhere across the Eastern Suburbs.
A safety switch constantly monitors the flow of electricity through a circuit. Under normal conditions, the electricity flowing into an appliance should match the electricity flowing back out.
Here’s what happens when the system detects a problem:
Electricity flows normally: Power travels through the circuit to your lights, appliances and other electrical equipment. The current flowing into the circuit matches the current flowing back.
A current leak occurs: If electricity escapes from its intended path because of damaged wiring, a faulty appliance or another electrical fault, the current becomes unbalanced.
The safety switch detects the imbalance: The safety switch continuously monitors the electrical current. If it detects a difference between the current entering and leaving the circuit, it recognises that electricity is leaking somewhere.
Power is switched off: The safety switch trips and cuts the electrical supply, typically within milliseconds. The rapid response helps reduce the risk of serious electric shock.
The fault needs to be identified: Once the safety switch has tripped, resetting it may restore power if the fault has cleared. If it immediately trips again, there is likely an ongoing problem with an appliance, wiring, circuit or another part of the electrical installation.
A safety switch is different from a standard circuit breaker. Circuit breakers primarily protect electrical circuits from problems such as overloads and short circuits, while safety switches are designed to protect people from electrical faults involving current leakage.
A safety switch that trips once does not necessarily mean there is a serious problem with the entire electrical system. A temporary fault involving an appliance or circuit may be responsible.
If the safety switch keeps tripping and refuses to stay on, however, there is likely an underlying fault that needs to be identified.
A faulty appliance is one possible cause of repeated safety switch trips. Internal damage, moisture, deteriorating insulation or a damaged power cord may cause electricity to leak when the appliance is operating.
Large appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and refrigerators are worth checking, particularly if the safety switch trips whenever a particular appliance is switched on.
If you have identified an appliance that appears to trigger the safety switch, unplug it and stop using it until the fault has been investigated.
Electrical wiring may deteriorate with age or become damaged through building work, moisture or other problems. Faulty connections and damaged insulation may allow electricity to escape from its intended path.
Warning signs may include:
Electrical wiring should never be repaired as a DIY job. A licensed electrician needs to locate the fault and carry out the necessary repairs safely.
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination, making moisture-related electrical faults particularly concerning.
Outdoor power points, bathrooms, laundries and garden lighting may be exposed to moisture. Water entering an appliance, power point or electrical connection may cause the safety switch to trip.
If the safety switch starts tripping after heavy rain or after an electrical appliance has been exposed to water, avoid using the affected equipment and have it inspected.
A safety switch may protect multiple circuits throughout your home. A fault on one of those circuits may therefore cause the safety switch to trip even though everything else appears to be working normally.
An electrician can isolate individual circuits and test them to narrow down where the problem is occurring. From there, further testing can identify the specific fault.
Sometimes the issue lies within the switchboard itself. It could have faulty components, damaged connections, or problems with the safety switch. If it’s a rental property, it will also need to comply with the current minimum standards in Victoria.
Beyond the obvious safety concerns, these measures are in place because many older switchboards can lack the protective equipment found in newer installations. In other cases they’re simply unable to deal with the demand.
If your switchboard is outdated or hasn’t been inspected for many years, repeated safety switch trips are a good reason to have the entire board checked.
If the safety switch keeps tripping, an electrician will take a careful look at the electrical system to determine where the fault is coming from.
Please note, the following steps are general in nature and may not apply to every situation.
The electrician may isolate individual circuits to narrow down the source of the problem. If the safety switch stays on after one circuit has been isolated, that provides a useful indication of where the fault lies.
Testing can then focus on the affected circuit rather than the entire electrical system.
Once an affected circuit has been identified, appliances, power points and electrical connections may be inspected for signs of damage or current leakage.
Appliances may be tested individually to determine if one of them is responsible for the repeated trips.
The switchboard itself will also be assessed. An electrician can check the condition and operation of the safety switch, along with other protective devices and connections within the board.
If the switchboard is older, damaged or no longer suitable for the electrical demands of the home, the electrician can explain what work is required.
Fault-finding may extend beyond the switchboard and appliances. Depending on the circumstances, an electrician may test wiring and other parts of the electrical installation to identify current leakage or other faults.
The testing required will depend on what is causing the safety switch to trip and what the initial inspection reveals.
A safety switch that keeps tripping is doing its job. It is detecting a problem and cutting the power to help protect you and your property.
The most important thing is to call in a licensed electrician to find out what exactly is causing the problem in the first place.
Repeatedly resetting the safety switch without investigating the cause is not a solution. If the fault remains, the switch may continue to trip, and attempting to bypass or interfere with the protective device creates an unnecessary safety risk.
At Maroondah Electrical, we’ve got experienced electricians who can check, inspect, and test your safety switches. Our comprehensive safety assessments will help to reduce the risk of fire, frustrating power outages and address common electrical wear and tear before it develops into a serious concern.
Fully licensed, insured, and accredited, Maroondah Electrical is the team you can count on for safety switches and switchboards. As a family-owned business, we’ve built a strong reputation for reliability, honesty, integrity, and a 5-star service on every project.
You can call us for:
Why do I need Safety Switches/RCD’s?
On a normal power circuit, electricity starts on the Active cable (red) and returns on the Neutral cable (black). If there is a breakdown the electricity can leak through the Earth cable (green/yellow) and then through a person touching the metal body of an appliance.
This could cause an electric shock or worse fatality. A safety switch detects the loss of power from the circuit and cuts the supply of electricity.
What should I do if my Safety Switch keeps tripping?
Unplug all appliances straight away. The most common causes can be heating appliances such as faulty kettles, toasters, microwaves, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers and fridges, even range hoods and any other appliance plugged into a power point.
If you feel you have done all you can and still can’t get the safety switch to stay on, call us for an immediate inspection.
Do I need to use a Qualified Electrician?
Definitely. This is because all electrical work needs to be certified to uphold your insurance obligations. The electrical trade is one of the most dangerous of all trades. If you don’t wire your home correctly and properly protect your cables, you could cause a fire, electrical shock or fatality.
Is Maroondah Electrical & Data insured?
Yes! You can have peace of mind knowing that all our work is covered by our insurance and compliance certificate.
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