Thursday, December 10, 2020

Don’t get zapped because of a faulty safety switch

The entire electrical wiring is controlled and monitored by a safety switch. If there is an imbalance or indifference of any sort, the safety switch automatically disconnects the entire supply of electricity. A minimal reaction is enough for even a few seconds to cut off the power supply in case if a power board is overloaded or trips often. 


Before you opt to call for the electrical services brisbane or any 24-hour electrician to fix your faulty safety switch, make sure you have unplugged every appliance from each socket on your residential property. A tripped safety switch is one of the most common problems for an electrical emergency in Australia. 



In such a situation, electrical companies experience that there is always one switch that is missed by the homeowner to unplug and that is the primary cause the safety switch does not turn on back. 


A safety switch is designed to shield people from fire or electrocution, unlike circuit breakers that are used to protect electrical appliances. Safety switches are of utmost importance specifically for residential, commercial and factory properties. 


In this article, we will briefly discuss what causes the safety switch to keep turning off.

  1. Faulty Appliances

Safety switched trip when they tend to detect extra current flow. A damaged appliance causes the additional current which results in a leak. 

The heavy load appliances such as dishwasher, freezer, washing machine are responsible for regular wear and tear. To maintain and use them to the best of their performance is the best way to prevent the safety switch from tripping. 


If the switch goes off, unplug all appliances and insert one at a time to know which one is causing the problem. 

It’s best to keep appliances updated and check the wires regularly for smooth function. 

  1. Weather Conditions

Extreme weather like heavy rainfall or lightning strikes can cause damage or trip of the safety switch. It would be worse if the lightning damages the power station supply or power lines of your entire neighbourhood. 


In such situations, It’s best to wait for the climate to settle as this will prevent voltage fluctuations. There is a possibility that rainwater could seep through the electrical items and power points so it’s recommended to wait before you reset. 

  1. Consistent Tripping

The continuous turn off of the safety switch is due to several appliances working together at once. If this happens on a consistent basis, a reduce load or current flow is necessary to avoid the tripping. There could be one or two appliances causing the leak but the fact that the safety switch is unable to bear the load, it’s better to take precautionary measures. 

The tripping could damage the switch, therefore, call a 24-hour emergency electrician if you experience this frequently. 

  1. Defect in Wiring

A damaged or defective wiring can lead to fluctuations in the electric supply. It is necessary to observe the wiring conditions at least quarterly and immediately replace or repair the damage. 

If in cases where the appliances are not the cause for the safety switch to trip, it is usually faulty wiring that could do major damage to property. 

A Brief Summary: If your circuit breaker has tripped and will not turn back on:


→ Unplug all the appliances, including gas stove igniters. 


→ Check wear and tear, replace wiring if even it has minor damage


→ If you see a flash when you reset, immediately call a licensed electrician.


→ Install safety switch on each circuit of your property to reduce the issue of tripping. 


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