Electrical faults rarely announce where they are. A tripping RCD might be a failing appliance, moisture in an outdoor socket, a nail through a cable, or a neutral shared between two circuits. Fault finding is a methodical process of isolating, testing and narrowing down.
Common problems
- An RCD or breaker that trips, sometimes, never when you are looking
- Sockets or lights that have stopped working
- Lights that flicker or buzz, especially after changing to LED
- Warm sockets, switches or plugs, or a smell of burning
- Tingles from metalwork or appliances. Stop using it and get it checked immediately.
How we find faults
- Listen first. When it happens, what was on, what changed recently.
- Isolate. Narrow the fault to a circuit, then to a section of a circuit.
- Test. Insulation resistance, continuity and polarity testing show what the eye cannot.
- Fix or quote. Simple faults are repaired on the visit. Where the fault reveals a wider problem, you get a clear explanation and a quotation.
- Retest and record. The repaired circuit is tested, and you receive the appropriate certificate.
If you think something is dangerous
If you see smoke, sparking or burning, or you get an electric shock, switch off at the consumer unit if it is safe to do so, and keep people away. If there is a fire, call 999.