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Why Does My Fuse Box Keep Tripping?

Person Checking Switches On Fuse Box
  • Keep a record of when the trips happen: time of day, what was plugged in/turned on, weather/damp conditions (could indicate earth‑faults near external sockets).

    • When To Call An Electrician For Tripping Switches

    You should call a professional (who is registered and insured) if:

    • The breaker trips repeatedly despite your basic checks.
    • You suspect a short circuit or earth‑fault (sparks, burning smells, damp external wiring).
    • The fuse box is more than 20‑30 years old, or shows signs of damage or scorching.
    • You’re planning to add a new high‑load appliance (e.g., an electric vehicle charger) and suspect your existing circuits may not be up to the task.

    How To Prevent Fuse Box Tripping

    • Spread heavy‑load appliances across different circuits where possible (e.g., ovens, washing machines, EV chargers).
    • Replace older appliances that show signs of wear or faults (e.g., frayed leads, overheating, discolouration).
    • Keep wiring in reach of inspection: check external socket wiring, loft cables, damp basement wiring.
    • Consider replacing it if your home frequently trips or you’ve had renovations/added loads.
    • For Chard area homes (especially older Somerset properties), remember that some wiring may date back many decades and might benefit from a rewiring review by a qualified electrician.

    Contact Kings Group SW Professional Electricians Today

    A circuit breaker that keeps tripping is not just a nuisance, it’s your home’s electrical system sending a warning signal. Whether the issue is an overloaded circuit, a faulty appliance, or something more serious like a short or earth fault, the sooner you investigate, the better. If you’re in or around Chard or Somerset and you’re dealing with this problem repeatedly, don’t hesitate to get professional help. Contact us today and we’ll ensure your system is safe, reliable and compliant.

    If you’ve ever walked into a room and found the lights off or sockets dead, only to discover that the fuse box has tripped, you’re not alone. In homes across Chard, Somerset and beyond, this recurring nuisance can be both annoying and worrying. Worse still, it could be a symptom of a more serious electrical fault. In this post we’ll explain reasons why your fuse box might keep tripping, how you can carry out some safe checks, and when you should call a qualified electrician.

    How Does A Fuse Box Work?

    A fuse box is a safety device in your home’s electrical system. It senses when a circuit is drawing too much current, or when a fault (such as a short circuit or earth‑fault) is present, and it “trips” (cuts the electricity) to prevent overheating, fire or electric shock.

    Common Reasons Your Fuse Box Keeps Tripping

    Here are the most common reasons for tripped switches:

    1. Circuit Overload

    This happens when too many appliances or devices draw current on the same circuit, exceeding what the wiring or the breaker is designed for. For example, running a tumble dryer and a kettle at the same time on a ring‑main that’s already heavily loaded.

    What to check: unplug or turn off some appliances, reset the fuse box, then see whether the problem recurs when everything is back on.

    2. Short Circuit

    A short circuit occurs when the live (hot) wire touches the neutral or earth wire, resulting in a rapid surge of current. This will almost always trip the breaker immediately. It’s more serious than an overload.

    Signs: electricity trips the moment you switch something on; you may notice sparking or a smell of burning.

    3. Ground / Earth Fault

    In UK domestic wiring, if a live conductor touches the earth path (or moisture gets into a circuit), then an earth‑leak current may cause a trip. This is especially relevant in bathrooms, outdoor sockets, or where cables run in damp conditions. As these faults carry an electric shock risk, be careful and contact a professional electrician.

    4. Faulty Appliance Or Wiring

    An appliance may be drawing excessive current (e.g., due to a fault), or the wiring in a particular circuit might be damaged, aged, or incorrectly modified. Also, older fuse boxes may be in need of replacing!

    Tip: If it seems to be one appliance causing repeated trips, isolate/unplug it and see if the tripping stops.

    5. Damaged Fuse Box

    If you’ve ruled out overloads, appliance faults and wiring issues, it may be that the breaker itself is failing, or your fuse box is outdated and no longer adequate for modern electrical loads.

    Electrical testing on fuse board

    What You Can Safely Do As A Homeowner

    1. Switch off and unplug appliances on the affected circuit.
    2. Reset the breaker (switch it back to ON).
    3. Plug/turn devices on one at a time until the electricity trips again. This may help you identify the culprit.
    4. If the electrics trip immediately after resetting, or trips even with no load, stop and call an electrician.
    5. Make sure no extension leads or multi‑adapters are overloaded, particularly in older properties.
    6. Keep a record of when the trips happen: time of day, what was plugged in/turned on, weather/damp conditions (could indicate earth‑faults near external sockets).

    When To Call An Electrician For Tripping Switches

    You should call a professional (who is registered and insured) if:

    • The breaker trips repeatedly despite your basic checks.
    • You suspect a short circuit or earth‑fault (sparks, burning smells, damp external wiring).
    • The fuse box is more than 20‑30 years old, or shows signs of damage or scorching.
    • You’re planning to add a new high‑load appliance (e.g., an electric vehicle charger) and suspect your existing circuits may not be up to the task.

    How To Prevent Fuse Box Tripping

    • Spread heavy‑load appliances across different circuits where possible (e.g., ovens, washing machines, EV chargers).
    • Replace older appliances that show signs of wear or faults (e.g., frayed leads, overheating, discolouration).
    • Keep wiring in reach of inspection: check external socket wiring, loft cables, damp basement wiring.
    • Consider replacing it if your home frequently trips or you’ve had renovations/added loads.
    • For Chard area homes (especially older Somerset properties), remember that some wiring may date back many decades and might benefit from a rewiring review by a qualified electrician.

    Contact Kings Group SW Professional Electricians Today

    A circuit breaker that keeps tripping is not just a nuisance, it’s your home’s electrical system sending a warning signal. Whether the issue is an overloaded circuit, a faulty appliance, or something more serious like a short or earth fault, the sooner you investigate, the better. If you’re in or around Chard or Somerset and you’re dealing with this problem repeatedly, don’t hesitate to get professional help. Contact us today and we’ll ensure your system is safe, reliable and compliant.

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