Does your power keep cutting out for no clear reason?
What’s Tripping Your Electrics?
You're making a cup of tea or using the hoover — click — everything goes dark. If your electrics keep tripping, it's more than just annoying. It could be a serious warning sign that your home’s electrical system needs attention.
At Pailey Electrical, we help Birmingham homeowners and landlords troubleshoot and solve these issues safely and permanently. In this guide, we break down the 7 most common causes — and how we fix them.
1 - Faulty Appliances
Old or damaged appliances like kettles, washing machines or irons can cause RCDs (residual current devices) to trip.
Fix:
We test each appliance individually to identify the faulty one. We also check that socket loads are safe for daily use.
2- Overloaded Circuits
Too many high-powered devices on one circuit (think: microwave, tumble dryer, space heater) can cause it to trip.
Fix:
We rebalance the load across circuits or install additional ring mains if needed — especially in kitchens and extensions.
3 - Damaged Wiring or Loose Connections
Wiring behind sockets, in the walls, or under floorboards can degrade or come loose — particularly in older Birmingham homes.
Fix:
We use insulation resistance testing and thermal cameras to detect hidden issues and carry out professional rewiring where needed.
4- Faulty Sockets or Switches
One worn-out or incorrectly wired socket can trigger trips across the whole property.
Fix:
We inspect every fitting, test them to BS 7671 standards, and replace any that are faulty or dangerous.
5 - Lighting Circuit Faults
Poor-quality fittings, incompatible dimmer switches, or faulty transformers in downlights can cause repeated trips.
Fix:
We test each lighting zone and often recommend upgrades to modern LED systems with better compatibility and safety features.
6 - Water Ingress
Damp inside walls or outdoor sockets exposed to rain can cause moisture-related trips.
Fix:
We trace the source of water, weatherproof the connections, and install RCD-protected waterproof enclosures if needed.
7 - Old or Damaged Consumer Unit
If your fuse board hasn’t been upgraded in the last 15–20 years, it may not meet modern safety standards — or be failing entirely.
Fix:
We inspect your unit and replace it with a modern consumer unit (complete with RCD & RCBO protection) that meets all NAPIT and UK regs.
Birmingham Case Study: Hall Green Family Home
A family in Hall Green contacted us about repeated trips every time they turned on the oven and kettle together. What we found:
- Overloaded kitchen ring
- Loose neutral wire
- Arcing behind a socket
We added a new circuit, replaced the socket, upgraded their fuse board and the tripping stopped immediately.
“The problem was fixed the same day. We’ve had zero issues since. Highly recommend Pailey.” — Sarah D, Birmingham
Don’t Keep Resetting — Get It Checked
Repeated tripping isn’t just annoying — it can damage appliances, raise your fire risk, or signal dangerous faults.
What You Get with Pailey Electrical
- NAPIT-certified engineers
- Full fault finding & diagnostic testing
- Fuse board inspections
- Friendly, honest advice
- Emergency callouts available
FREE Home Safety Check (Limited Time)
Book any electrical repair before 31st July and receive a Free Electrical Health Check (worth £75). We'll test:
- Circuits and socket loads
- Consumer unit health
- Signs of overheating or water ingress
Book Your Inspection Now
👉 Visit www.pailey.co.uk to schedule your appointment today. Or call us for fast-response troubleshooting in Birmingham and surrounding areas.
Pailey Electrical — Birmingham’s trusted local expert for safe, stress-free electrics.
