RCD Keeps Tripping in Edinburgh Home? Here's What to Do

RCD (Residual Current Device) tripping is one of the most common emergency calls we receive in Edinburgh. While RCDs are safety devices designed to protect you, frequent tripping indicates underlying electrical problems that need attention.

What is an RCD and Why Does it Trip?

RCDs monitor electrical current flow and trip when they detect current leakage to earth - indicating potential electrocution or fire risks.

Common Causes of RCD Tripping:

• Faulty appliances with earth leakage
• Damaged wiring or cables
• Moisture in electrical systems
• Worn electrical outlets
• Overloaded circuits
• Faulty RCD itself

Immediate Steps When Your RCD Trips

1. Don't Immediately Reset

If your RCD has tripped, there's a reason. Repeatedly resetting without finding the cause can be dangerous.

2. Unplug All Appliances

Disconnect everything on the affected circuit to isolate potential faulty appliances.

3. Try Resetting Once

With all appliances unplugged, try resetting the RCD once. If it trips immediately, you have a wiring fault.

4. Test Appliances Individually

If the RCD stays on, plug in appliances one by one to identify the faulty item.

Edinburgh-Specific RCD Issues

Edinburgh's older buildings, particularly in areas like New Town and Old Town, can have unique electrical challenges:

• Older Wiring: Historic properties may have aging wiring prone to earth leakage
• Stone Buildings: Moisture ingress is common, causing RCD sensitivity
• Shared Electrical Systems: Tenement buildings may have complex wiring affecting RCD behavior

Professional RCD Fault Finding

Our Edinburgh electrician uses professional testing equipment to:

• Test RCD sensitivity and response times
• Measure earth leakage across circuits
• Identify specific fault locations
• Ensure RCDs meet current safety standards

Don't live with constantly tripping RCDs. They're trying to protect you - let us find and fix the underlying problem safely.