You've lost power? Maybe the RCD has tripped?
Power Outage? Here's How Kenilworth Electrical Services Can Help You!
Have you lost power? Maybe your RCD has tripped?
“I've lost half the power to the house. Can anyone recommend an electrician?” Sound familiar?
Understanding Your Power Outage
Losing power to a circuit, part of your property, or the entire house often points to a tripped RCD.
What is an RCD?
An RCD (Residual Current Device) detects imbalances between live and neutral conductors. When everything is functioning correctly, the current flowing in and out of the RCD is equal. A fault diverts some current down the Circuit Protective Conductor (CPC) or earth, causing an imbalance that trips the RCD.
How to Identify a Tripped RCD
You’ll find the RCD in your consumer unit, typically accompanied by 8-10 MCBs (Miniature Circuit Breakers).
Some units combine RCDs and MCBs into RCBOs (Residual Current Circuit Breaker with Overload protection).
Identifying a Faulty Circuit
Switch off the RCD (usually to the down position).
Turn off all MCBs.
Reset the MCBs one by one, leaving a few seconds between each. The faulty circuit will trip the RCD.
Turn off the identified MCB.
Reset the RCD and switch the remaining MCBs back on, except the faulty one. Most of your power should now be restored.
Common MCB Sizing
50/45/40 amp: Cookers, hobs, electric showers, or sub-main feeds to offices or sheds.
32 amp: Sockets around the home, garages, or hot tubs.
20 amp or 16 amp: Few sockets, water heaters, or electric fires.
10 amp or 6 amp: Lighting circuits.
Common Reasons for RCD Tripping
A faulty appliance is often the culprit, typically plugged into a 16amp, 20amp, or 32amp MCB. To find the faulty appliance:
Unplug all appliances.
Reset the RCD. If it stays on, plug appliances back in one by one until the RCD trips again.
Common faulty appliances: Dishwashers, irons, kettles, and fridges.
Faulty Lighting Circuits
A faulty light fitting can be identified by:
Turn the MCB off.
Switch all light switches to the opposite position.
Reset the RCD. If it stays on, switch lights back on one by one until the RCD trips.
Sporadic RCD Tripping
Water ingress: From outside lights, sockets, or leaking pipes.
Damaged cables: Due to DIY projects.
Rodent damage: Chewed insulation in lofts or walls.
Loose connections: Incorrectly terminated wiring.
Thermal/Fire damage: Melted cables from improper installation.
When to Call an Electrician
If these steps don't resolve the issue, it's time to contact an emergency electrician in Kenilworth. Provide as much detail as possible to save time and money:
When did it happen?
What were you doing?
What appliances were on?
Any recent DIY projects?
New carpets or loose floorboards?
Any rodent activity?
Weather conditions?
Why Choose Eclipse Electrical Services in Kenilworth?
With over 20 years of experience, Eclipse Electrical can quickly identify and resolve your electrical issues. Our expert Kenilworth electricians are ready to get your power back up and running in no time.
For reliable Kenilworth electrical services and emergency electrician support, trust Eclipse Electrical. Contact us today to restore your power and peace of mind!
