It's an appliance
Stop using it. An appliance repairer, the shop or the maker's warranty is the right call, not an electrician.
Safety Switch Keeps Tripping? Here's What to Check
A safe 20-minute check. Find out if it's an appliance or the wiring.
Safety switch keeps tripping or won't reset? Here is how to safely find a faulty appliance yourself, and when it is time to call an electrician in Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland or Port Stephens.
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Stop first
Don't reset anything if
- Anyone has had a shock or a tingle, even a small one, including from a tap or shower
- You can smell burning or see smoke, scorch marks or sparks
- The switchboard is wet, damaged, hot or buzzing
- Water is getting into a light, power point or the ceiling
- Lights are flickering, dimming or unusually bright
- Anyone in the home relies on powered medical equipment
Leave the power off and keep clear. Someone hurt or a fire: call 000. A tingle from a tap or flickering lights: call Ausgrid on 13 13 88 (Essential Energy 13 20 80 in some rural areas). Anything else on this list: call us, including after hours.
Neighbours out too? That is a power outage, not your safety switch. Call Ausgrid on 13 13 88. You don't need an electrician.
Why a safety switch keeps tripping
A safety switch, or RCD, is the switch on your switchboard with a small Test button. It cuts the power in a split second when it senses electricity leaking to earth. That leak could be going through a person, which is why it is there.
When it keeps tripping, something on that part of the home is leaking. It is usually one of three things: a faulty appliance, water in an outdoor fitting, or damaged wiring. The check below tells you which.
How to find what's tripping your safety switch
Dry hands, shoes on and a torch. It takes about 20 minutes.
Find the tripped safety switch
Open the switchboard door only. Never unscrew a panel, and don't touch the meter or any switch labelled Solar or Battery.
A switch is ON when its lever points up and OFF when it points down. The tripped safety switch has a Test button and points down while the others point up.
Push it firmly up, once
If the lever is stuck in the middle, push it down first, then up. If it stays on, you are done. If it goes off again, keep going. Never hold or tape it up.
Unplug every power point in the home
Pull the plugs out. Don't just switch off at the wall, because the wall switch usually only breaks one of the two wires. Every power point should end up empty, including the ones people miss:
- DishwasherCupboard beside it or under the sink
- Gas cooktopSpark lighter plug in the cupboard below
- RangehoodCupboard above it
- Built-in microwaveCupboard above or beside it
- Washing machine and dryerBehind it, or high on the laundry wall
- Fridges and freezersKitchen, garage, shed or patio
- Gas or heat pump hot waterPower point beside the unit outside
- Outdoor power pointsPatio, pergola, carport, side of the house
- Pool, spa, pond and tank pumpsPower point near the pump
- Garage door motorPower point on the garage ceiling
- Wall-mounted TVBehind the TV or in the cabinet below
- Power boards and leadsUnplug them from the wall too
No ladders, no roof space and no moving heavy appliances. If you can't reach a plug safely, leave it and tell us when you call.
Push the safety switch up again
It stays onGood news. The fault is probably something that was plugged in. Go to step 5.It goes off againWith nothing plugged in, the fault is probably in the wiring or a wired-in appliance like the oven. Leave it off and call us.Plug things back in one at a time
Start with the fridge. Use each appliance for about 5 minutes, because some only trip once they heat up. When the safety switch goes off, the last thing you plugged in is the likely culprit. Reset the switch and keep going: there can be more than one.
Double-check it in another room
Plug the suspect appliance in somewhere else, ideally a room that kept its power. If it trips there too, the appliance is faulty. If it works fine there, the problem may be that power point or its wiring, and that is a job for us.
What your result means
It's the wiring
Trips with everything unplugged, trips in the rain, or trips on one power point only. We find the fault and fix it.
Fault finding >
No safety switch at all
Only white ceramic fuses and nothing with a Test button? Your home may have no safety switch. That is worth fixing.
Safety switch installation >Safety switch had enough?
Tell us what is going on. We ring you back, usually the same day.
When to call an electrician about a tripping safety switch
It trips with everything unplugged
The fault is in the wiring, the switchboard or a wired-in appliance. Leave it off and ring us.
It only trips in the rain
Water is getting into an outdoor light, power point or cable. Unplug everything outside first. If it still trips, we track it down.
Burning smell or it won't reset at all
Turn it off if it is safe to, keep clear and call us straight away, day or night.
Emergency help >
Renting, or managing rentals?
Renting? Let your property manager know before anyone is booked. They organise repairs at the property.
Property managers: we give your tenants a free one-page version of this guide with a QR code, so a faulty kettle gets found before a work order goes out. About the tenant guide >
Related home services
Fault finding and repairs
Tripping power, flickering lights, dead power points.
Read more >Emergency and after-hours
No power or a burning smell? Ring now.
Read more >Safety switch installation
Old fuses, no RCD, or a safety switch that has failed.
Read more >Switchboard upgrades
When the board itself is the problem.
Read more >Safety switch questions
Why does my safety switch keep tripping?
Something on that part of the home is leaking electricity to earth. Most often it is a faulty appliance, water in an outdoor light or power point, or damaged wiring.
Why won't my safety switch reset?
If it snaps straight back down, the fault is still connected. Unplug everything and try again. If it still won't stay on, the fault is in the wiring and you need an electrician.
Can a faulty appliance trip a safety switch?
Yes, and it is one of the most common causes. Kettles, heaters, washing machines, dishwashers and old fridges are the usual suspects.
Why does my safety switch trip when it rains?
Water is usually getting into an outdoor light, power point, lead or pump. Unplug everything outside. If it still trips in the rain, call us.
When should I call an electrician about a tripping safety switch?
When it trips with everything unplugged, trips in the rain, won't reset at all, or you smell burning. Call 0400 232 172, including after hours.