It’s happened to all of us. You’re in the middle of using an appliance, and suddenly, the power goes out in one room or a section of your home. Your first thought might be that there’s a major blackout, but if your neighbours still have power, the problem is most likely a tripped circuit breaker in your switchboard.
Circuit breakers are a vital safety device. They’re designed to automatically cut power to a circuit to prevent overheating, fire, and damage to your electrical system. They’ll trip for one of three main reasons: an overloaded circuit, a short circuit, or a ground fault.
Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to troubleshooting a tripped circuit breaker safely.
Step 1: Locate Your Switchboard
Your switchboard is usually a metal or plastic box mounted to a wall. In most Australian homes, you’ll find it in the garage, a laundry room, or an external wall near the electricity meter.
Step 2: Identify the Tripped Breaker
Open the cover of your switchboard. Inside, you’ll see a row of switches or “breakers.” Most of them will be in the ‘ON’ or upward position. A tripped breaker will be in the ‘OFF’ or downward position, or sometimes in a middle, slightly offset position. It may also have a red or orange indicator.
Step 3: Unplug and Turn Off Appliances
Before you reset the breaker, it’s crucial to find the cause. If the circuit tripped because of an overload (too many appliances on at once), you need to reduce the electrical load. Walk through the affected area and:
Unplug all appliances, especially high-wattage ones like kettles, hair dryers, or heaters.
Turn off lights and other electronic devices.
Step 4: Reset the Breaker
Once the appliances are unplugged, firmly flip the tripped breaker all the way to the ‘OFF’ position, and then flip it back to the ‘ON’ position. You should feel a solid click.
Step 5: Test the Circuit
The power should now be restored. To identify the specific appliance that caused the overload, plug in and turn on each device one by one. When you plug in the one that caused the issue, the breaker will likely trip again. This tells you which appliance is faulty or simply drawing too much power for that circuit.
When to Call Uncommon Electricians
If your breaker trips repeatedly, or if you can’t get it to reset, it’s a clear sign of a more serious issue that you should never try to fix yourself. This is a job for a qualified electrician.
You should call us immediately if:
The breaker trips again as soon as you reset it, even with nothing plugged in.
You see any scorch marks or smell a burning odour from the switchboard or an outlet.
You hear buzzing or crackling noises from the switchboard.
You have an old-style fuse box with fuses that keep blowing.
Ignoring these warning signs can lead to a dangerous electrical fault or a potential fire. As local Ipswich electricians, we can quickly diagnose the issue, whether it’s a short circuit, a worn-out breaker, or an underlying wiring problem, and provide a safe, lasting solution.
For reliable electrical troubleshooting and repairs in Ipswich, trust the experts who genuinely care about your safety. Don’t risk a DIY fix—get it done right with Uncommon Electricians.
Give us a call at 07 3074 9486 or contact us at our website.
