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uk Home & property emergencies circuit breaker keeps tripping • fuse box keeps tripping • consumer unit keeps tripping • rcd keeps tripping • rcbo keeps tripping • trip switch keeps going off • electrics keep going off • breaker won’t stay on • kettle trips electric • toaster trips electric • microwave trips electrics • washing machine trips electric • appliance trips electrics • plug trips fuse box • socket trips consumer unit • normal appliance causes trip • power cuts when appliance on • trips when plugged in • trips after a few minutes

What to do if…
your circuit breaker keeps tripping when you use a normal appliance

Short answer

Treat repeated tripping as a safety warning: stop using the appliance/circuit, turn it off and unplug it, and leave the circuit off if it won’t stay on.

Do not do these things

  • Don’t keep resetting the breaker/RCD “until it works”.
  • Don’t bypass an RCD/RCBO or fit a higher-rated fuse/breaker.
  • Don’t keep using the same appliance “just for a minute”.
  • Don’t rely on extension leads/adapters to “work around” the problem.
  • Don’t remove any internal covers or touch wiring inside the consumer unit (it’s usually fine to open the outer door to reach the switches).

What to do now

  1. Check for immediate danger signs. If you notice burning smells, scorching, buzzing/crackling, sparks, smoke, or heat from a plug/socket/appliance, turn off that circuit at the consumer unit if you can do so safely and keep people away from the area.
  2. Isolate the appliance that triggered it. Turn it off and unplug it. If it’s hard-wired (e.g., fixed appliance on a fused spur), switch it off at its local isolator/fused spur if you can identify it safely.
  3. Unplug everything else on that affected circuit/room. Include chargers, lamps, extension leads, dehumidifiers, etc.
  4. Reset once to separate “appliance fault” from “circuit fault”.
    • Reset the tripped switch (you may need to push it fully down/off first, then back up/on).
    • If it holds with everything unplugged: plug items back in one at a time. If it trips as soon as you plug in a particular item, stop using that item and keep it unplugged.
    • If it trips immediately with everything unplugged: treat it as a circuit/protective-device fault and leave that circuit off.
  5. If one appliance seems to be the trigger, stop using it. Put a note on it (“Do not use”) so nobody plugs it back in. If it’s essential (like a fridge/freezer), the safest short-term step is to keep doors shut and arrange prompt professional help rather than trying to “test it around the house”.
  6. Get the right help quickly.
    • If you rent: report it to your landlord/letting agent/housing provider as an electrical safety issue and tell them whether it trips even when everything is unplugged.
    • If you rent in England: landlords generally need a valid electrical safety inspection report (EICR) at least every 5 years and must provide copies in certain situations—ask for the latest EICR and report the repeated tripping as an urgent fault.
    • If you own: contact a qualified electrician to test the circuit and the suspect appliance.
  7. Write down what happened (helps whoever fixes it). Which appliance, which socket/room, whether it tripped immediately or after a delay, any damp/water nearby, and any smells/heat/scorching.

What can wait

  • You don’t need to work out whether it’s overload vs earth fault vs short circuit right now.
  • You don’t need to dismantle plugs, sockets, or the consumer unit.
  • You don’t need to buy parts (new breaker, new consumer unit, etc.) before a proper test identifies the cause.

Important reassurance

Breakers/RCDs trip to protect you. Taking the hint—unplugging, isolating, and leaving a circuit off when it won’t hold—is a sensible, safe response.

Scope note

These are first steps to reduce shock/fire risk and isolate the trigger. Persistent or unexplained tripping needs proper electrical testing by a competent professional.

Important note

This is general safety information, not a diagnosis. If you see smoke, flames, or serious overheating, treat it as an emergency and get urgent help.

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