Why your switchboard keeps tripping
A breaker that trips once and stays reset is usually nothing to worry about. A breaker that keeps tripping — or a safety switch that won't stay on — is telling you something is wrong. Here's how to read the signs.
What actually trips in a switchboard?
Modern switchboards contain two types of protective devices:
- Circuit breakers protect individual circuits from overloads and short circuits. They trip when too much current flows through the wiring.
- Safety switches (RCDs) detect earth leakage — current escaping where it shouldn't — and cut power in milliseconds to prevent electrocution. They protect people, not just wiring.
Older homes may still have ceramic fuses rather than breakers. If your switchboard has fuses, it is worth talking to an electrician about a switchboard upgrade.
Common reasons a circuit breaker keeps tripping
- Circuit overload. Too many appliances running on one circuit at the same time draws more current than the breaker allows. Try unplugging devices and spreading the load across different circuits. If that fixes it, you may need an additional circuit installed.
- Short circuit. A short — where live and neutral wires touch — causes a sudden surge of current. This can be caused by a faulty appliance or damaged wiring inside a wall. If removing all appliances from a circuit still doesn't stop the tripping, call an electrician.
- Faulty breaker. Breakers can wear out over time and trip under normal loads. A licensed electrician can test and replace a faulty breaker safely.
Why a safety switch keeps tripping
If the switch labelled RCD or Safety Switch (rather than a circuit breaker) keeps tripping, a fault in an appliance is the most common cause. Unplug everything on that circuit, reset the switch, then plug appliances back in one at a time. The one that causes the switch to trip again has an earth-leakage fault and should go to a repair centre or be replaced.
If no appliance is the culprit, the fault is likely in the wiring itself — aged insulation, moisture ingress, or a damaged cable. This needs a licensed electrician with fault-finding equipment.
What to do right now
You can safely reset a tripped breaker or safety switch once. If it trips again immediately, leave it off and do not keep resetting it — you are bypassing a protection that is telling you something is wrong. Call a licensed electrician to diagnose the fault.
If your switchboard is more than 25 years old, lacks safety switches, or has more than one circuit without RCD protection, it may be worth booking a switchboard inspection regardless of tripping issues.