Why does my fuse box keep tripping?

A switch that trips is your fuse box doing its job: cutting the power before something overheats. Here’s how to find the cause safely.

Call an electrician straight away if

You smell burning, see scorch marks, hear buzzing from a socket or the fuse box, or a socket feels hot. Don’t keep resetting the switch.

Find what’s tripping it

1
See which switch has tripped
Open the fuse box (also called a consumer unit). One switch will be down. Its label often shows which part of the home it powers.
2
Unplug everything on that circuit
Switch off and unplug the appliances in that part of the home.
3
Reset the switch
Push it fully back up. If it won’t stay up with everything unplugged, the fault is likely in the wiring, so book an electrician.
4
Plug things back in one at a time
If it trips again when you plug something in, that appliance is the likely cause. Kettles, washing machines, ovens and outside lights are common culprits.

If the whole street is dark

If your neighbours have lost power too, it’s a power cut rather than a fault in your home. Call 105, the free power cut number, to report it and get updates.

Getting it fixed

Every Relay electrician is NICEIC or NAPIT registered and has their ID and insurance checked. For a fuse that keeps tripping, it’s £95 including the first hour, then £80 an hour on weekdays, or £160 for the first hour, then £110 an hour for urgent help in the evenings and at weekends.

Want peace of mind about the whole home? An EICR safety check is a fixed £260 for a flat with up to two bedrooms.