Power Out? 9 Steps to Fix a Tripping Circuit Breaker in Leicester House Electrics Keep Tripping
Power Out? 9 Steps to Fix a Tripping Circuit Breaker in Leicester This blog has been designed for situations where the electrics keep tripping out. Below are nine steps that homeowners can take before calling an electrician.
Fast Emergency Electrcian Help for Homeowners across Leicestershire
⚠️ SAFETY FIRST: If you smell burning, see smoke, or hear loud buzzing from your fuse box, STOP. Do not attempt to reset the switch. Turn off the main power and call our 24/7 emergency line immediately:
Why Does My Fuse Box Keep Tripping?
Most power trips in Leicester homes are caused by a faulty appliance or an overloaded circuit. Before you pay for a call-out, follow our professional troubleshooting checklist to see if you can restore power safely.
Step 1: Locate Your Consumer Unit (Fuse Box)
Usually found under the stairs, in the hallway, or in the garage. Have a torch ready if it’s dark!
Step 2: Identify the "Tripped" Switch
Look for a switch that is in the ‘OFF’ position or pointing downwards. It will usually be an RCD (the big switch) or a specific MCB (individual circuit breaker).
Step 3: The "One-Finger" Reset
Try to push the switch back up to 'ON'.
If it stays up: It may have been a one-off power surge.
If it trips again immediately: Proceed to Step 4.
Step 4: Unplug Everything on That Circuit
Go through your rooms and physically unplug every appliance on that circuit. Turning them off at the wall isn't enough—you must pull the plug out to fully isolate the device.
Step 5: Reset the Breaker Again
With everything unplugged, flip the switch to ‘ON’.
Does it stay on? The fault is in one of your appliances.
Does it still trip? You likely have a permanent wiring fault and need an emergency electrician.
Still in the dark? We’re 20 minutes away.
If your power won't stay on, we provide rapid-response Emergency Electrical Services across Leicester, Loughborough, Hinckley, and Wigston.
Step 6: The "Process of Elimination"
If the power stayed on in Step 5, start plugging your appliances back in one by one.
Step 7: Identify the Culprit
When you plug in the faulty item (usually the kettle, toaster, or iron), the power will trip again. Keep that item unplugged and replace it or book a PAT Test.
Step 8: Check for Overloading
Are you running a tumble dryer and an electric heater on one extension lead? Overloading is the most common cause of "nuisance tripping" in Leicestershire homes.
Step 9: The Ultimate Safety Check (EICR)
If your power trips frequently for no reason, your wiring may be deteriorating. We highly recommend an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). This is a "brilliant" way to deep-dive into your home’s health. We use specialist equipment to check the condition of every wire, producing a formal document to prove your home is safe—or identifying exactly where it’s failing.
Transparent Pricing for Leicestershire Residents
We believe in honest, upfront costs so you aren't left guessing during an emergency:
Normal Working Hours (8am - 5pm): £75 per hour
Emergency / Out of Hours: £100 per hour
EICR Safety Inspections: Contact us for a fixed-price quote based on property size.
Local Expertise: Why Choose Us?
When you search for a "Local Electrician Leicester" or "Emergency Electrician near me," you need speed and certification.
Areas Covered: Serving Leicester City Centre, Oadby, Wigston, Syston, Enderby, and all LE postcodes.
Fully Accredited: All engineers are [NICEIC/NAPIT] registered.
EICR Specialists: We provide comprehensive reports for homeowners and landlords.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an emergency electrician cost in Leicester?
Our rates are transparent: £75/hr during the day and £100/hr for emergency call-outs. We provide an estimate before we begin.
Is an EICR worth it?
Absolutely. If you are in doubt about the condition of your electrics, an EICR is the most effective way to document whether your wiring is fine or needs urgent attention. It prevents fires and saves money on future emergency repairs.
Below is a simplified version of the steps.
What is the most common cause of a tripping fuse box?
Water getting into outside lights, faulty kitchen appliances (kettles/toasters), or "tired" RCD switches that need replacing by a professional
This procedure can be carried out to determine which circuit is causing the tripping out:
- Turn the RCD off (if both RCD’s are tripping turn both of them off).
- Turn off each circuit breaker (MCB) that the RCD is protecting.
- Turn on the RCD(s) Individually one by one switch on each circuit breaker (MCB).
- when turning on each circuit breaker (MCB), the RCD has tripped you have identified the circuit with the fault on it leave this in the off position and turn the RCD back on.
- If the circuit is powering sockets go around the house and disconnect all appliances remember to switch off all fused connection units.
- Go back to the consumer unit, try to switch back on the suspect MCB.
- One by one go around the house plug back in the appliances remember fused connection unit can be turned back on.
- When the RCD trips out the faulty appliance is now identified that created the tripping issue.
- Unplug the appliance that is causing the tripping and reset the circuit breaker (MCB).
If you are experiencing the RCD tripping at random times or the issue is still happening.
You would most likely need an electrician to carry out a fault-find.
Please do not hesitate to contact 786 Electricals Ltd.
