Why Does My Fuse Board Keep Tripping? (And What You Can Do About It)

If your fuse board (consumer unit) keeps tripping, especially when you’re just trying to boil the kettle or turn on the lights, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common reasons homeowners call out our team at PSJ Electrical Engineers across Newcastle, Durham and the North East.

But what actually causes this—and is it dangerous?

Let’s break it down.

⚡ First Things First: What’s Tripping?

Most modern fuse boards contain either an RCD (Residual Current Device) or RCBOs—safety devices that shut off the power when they detect a fault. That’s a good thing. They’re doing their job: protecting you from electric shock or fire.

But when they trip repeatedly, something’s not right.

🔍 Common Reasons Your RCD Keeps Tripping

Here are the usual suspects:

1. Faulty Appliance

A single dodgy toaster, kettle or washing machine can cause an imbalance in the electrical current. Try unplugging all appliances and switching them on one by one to isolate the issue.

2. Overloaded Circuit

Running too many high-draw devices (like heaters, tumble dryers and microwaves) on the same circuit? That’s a recipe for overload.

3. Wiring Faults

Old or damaged wiring (especially in lofts, kitchens or garages) can cause tiny leaks in current. RCDs spot them—and trip for safety.

4. Water Ingress

Water and electrics? Not friends. If you’ve recently had roof leaks, condensation in outdoor sockets, or a dripping boiler, the RCD may be detecting a leak to earth.

5. Faulty RCD or Consumer Unit

Sometimes the issue isn’t downstream. RCDs can degrade over time—or may not have been installed correctly to begin with.

✅ What You Can Do Right Now

  • 🔌 Unplug everything, then turn circuits back on one at a time.

  • 💧 Check for signs of damp, leaks or condensation near sockets.

  • 🔧 Try to identify whether it’s always the same RCD or circuit that trips.

But if it keeps happening, or if you’re unsure what’s safe to touch…

🛠️ Time to Call a Qualified Electrician

At PSJ Electrical, we specialise in fault-finding and fuse board upgrades, with a reputation across the North East for clear advice, tidy work, and fast callouts.

We’ll:

  • Identify the root cause

  • Test each circuit safely

  • Recommend the best fix—whether that’s replacing a faulty appliance, repairing wiring, or upgrading to RCBOs with built-in surge protection

✅ We’re NICEIC-approved, friendly, and always explain what we’re doing in plain English.

💬 Don’t Wait—Get It Checked Today

If your fuse board is tripping more than once, something isn’t right—and it won’t get better on its own.

📞 07958 116 827 or 07710 405 015 | email phil@psjelectrical.co.uk
📍 Serving Durham, Newcastle, Gateshead and the wider North East

Contact details: Contact Us