A safety switch, also called a residual current device or RCDs, is an essential electrical component in Australian homes. Designed to detect electrical faults, it can cut your power supply in as little as 0.03 seconds. That’s faster than you can blink!
While it can be frustrating when your safety switch trips, it’s actually doing exactly what it’s meant to do: keeping you safe from shock, electrical fires and costly damages.
At Emos Electrical, we’re passionate about helping Gold Coast residents understand their electrical systems and the important role safety switches play in their homes. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about why your safety switch might be tripping, how to diagnose the problem, and when it’s best to call in a professional.
What Is A Safety Switch & How Does It Work?
Located in your switchboard or meter box a safety switch is an important component that protects your home from electrical faults.
Electrical circuits in your home are designed to handle a specific voltage, but when something causes the voltage to rise too high, it can lead to serious issues. Safety switches continuously measure the current flowing through your system and, if it detects an imbalance of 0.03 amps or more, it instantly cuts off the power. This helps prevent fires, and shocks and even protects your electrical appliances from getting damaged, especially in cases of power surges.
- Residual Current Devices (RCDs): Detects leaking currents and cuts power when electricity flows somewhere it shouldn’t.
- Residual Current Circuit Breakers with Overcurrent Protection (RCBOs): Combine the functions of an RCD with a circuit breaker, protecting against both electrical faults and circuit overloads.
- Surge Protection Devices (SPDs): Help safeguard your appliances from power surges, preventing damage caused by lightning strikes or sudden voltage spikes.
Are RCDs Compulsory?
Simply put—yes, safety switches are compulsory in Australian homes.
Australian regulations now require that all new homes be fitted with safety switches. At a minimum, every home must have at least one safety switch installed. However, many older homes still lack the recommended number of safety switches.
Not only are they one of the most reliable and cost-effective life-saving devices, but they also play a crucial role in preventing electrical accidents. In fact, around 15 Australians lose their lives, and approximately 300 are hospitalised each year due to incidents that could have been avoided with a safety switch.
While specific requirements vary slightly from state to state, the general rule is that the more safety switches, the better. Having multiple switches installed across different circuits provides added protection and ensures you don’t completely lose power in the event of an outage. If you’re unsure whether your home meets the current safety standards, it’s always best to consult a licensed electrician to ensure you and your family are fully protected.
Warning Signs of Faulty Switch
Safety switches are designed to protect you, but they can also signal when something is wrong with your electrical system. Before a switch completely fails, it may show several warning signs. Here are some key signs to watch for:
- Burning Smells: If you notice a burning or electrical smell near your switchboard, it could indicate overheating, faulty wiring, or overloading appliances. This is a serious warning sign that should never be ignored, as it could lead to electrical fires. Turn off power to the affected area and contact a licensed electrician immediately.
- Frequent Tripping: If your safety switch keeps tripping without an obvious cause, it might be detecting an underlying fault in your wiring, appliances, water damage or even the switch itself.
- Visible Damage: Look for scorch marks, melting, or discolouration on or around the switch or your appliances. These signs suggest excessive heat buildup, which can lead to electrical fires if left unfixed.
- Strange Noises: Buzzing, crackling, or sizzling sounds coming from your switchboard can indicate loose connections or internal faults. Call a licenced electrician right away if you hear these sounds, since arcing can start electrical fires.
Common Causes of Tripping Safety Switches
Several factors can cause your safety switch to trip, and understanding them can help you diagnose the issue and take appropriate action. The most common reasons are:
1. A Faulty Appliance
When an appliance isn’t working correctly, it can cause an imbalance in the electrical current, triggering the safety switch to cut off power. If your switch trips repeatedly, try unplugging all appliances and resetting the switch. Then, plug them back in one at a time to identify the culprit.
2. Nuisance Tripping
Sometimes, multiple appliances running on the same circuit can create small current leaks that can eventually exceed the safety switch’s trip threshold. This is particularly common when using several appliances, like kettles, toasters, and heaters, at once. To reduce the risk of nuisance tripping, limit the number of high-powered appliances running simultaneously on the same circuit.
3. Lightning Strikes
A lightning strike near your home or power lines can overload your electrical system, causing the safety switch to trip as a protective measure. If this happens, wait until the storm has passed before attempting to reset the switch.
Keep in mind that power boards with built-in surge protectors won’t fully protect appliances like TVs, washing machines, or computers from surge damage because they are designed to handle minor voltage fluctuations, not the massive energy spike caused by a lightning strike. When lightning strikes nearby, the surge can travel through power lines and overwhelm standard surge protectors, allowing excess voltage to reach and potentially damage sensitive appliances.
4. Faulty Wiring
Faulty wiring is one of the biggest fire risks in a home. Over time, wear and tear, rain damage, pest damage, and even careless home renovations can cause the wiring to fray or come loose. A functioning safety switch should trip before faulty wiring leads to a fire. Fortunately, the warning signs of damaged wiring are easy to spot and include flickering lights, buzzing sounds, warm-to-the-touch switchboards, and burning smells. If you notice any of these, contact an electrician immediately.
5. Faulty Safety Switch
Although a less common culprit, if nothing else applies, the issue could be with the safety switch itself. If electrical components fail or the switch isn’t installed correctly, it may trip unnecessarily or fail to work when needed. If your safety switch trips repeatedly with no clear cause, our electricians can inspect and replace it if necessary.
6. Water Damage
Water and electricity don’t mix. If water enters your electrical system (due to leaks, floods, or heavy rain) it can corrode electrical connections and significantly increase the risk of fire, even after the water has dried. If you’ve experienced water damage in your home, call an expert to assess the damage and ensure your system is safe.
How to Test Safety Switches
So, what should you do when your safety switch has tripped? First, don’t panic! A tripped safety switch typically means the system has detected a fault, such as an electrical imbalance or a potential hazard. Here’s what you can do:
Pro Tip: We recommend testing your safety switches every three months to ensure they’re working properly.
1. Unplug Devices
Before testing, unplug any devices or appliances that are connected to the circuit. This helps prevent unnecessary power surges and protects you and your electronics.
2. Inspect Appliances
Check for any visible signs of damage, such as frayed cords, burnt plugs, or exposed wires. Faulty appliances are a common cause of tripped safety switches and by checking before doing any testing can help you find the problem quickly!
3. Check for Visual Damage
Take a look at your switchboard for any signs of overheating, discolouration, or a burning smell. These could indicate underlying electrical issues that require professional attention.
4. Reset the Switch
Once you’ve done your checks and unplugged any faulty devices, it’s time to reset the safety switch:
- First things first, let everyone in the house know about the power cut before proceeding.
- Locate your switchboard and the safety switch that is in the off position. Ensure that the area around the board is dry.
- Find the test button (usually marked ‘T’ or ‘Test’) and check to see if the safety switch is working correctly. If it trips and cuts power to the connected circuits, this means that the safety switch is functional.
- Now, flip the safety switch back to the on position.
- When the switch is reset, reconnect your appliances one at a time (this will help you determine if a specific appliance is at fault). Start with smaller/ less demanding appliances first. Wait a few minutes before reconnecting larger appliances like fudges.
When To Call A Professional
While it can be tempting to try to handle electrical issues on your own, working with electricity is dangerous. Electrical systems can be complex, and improperly handling them can lead to serious safety risks. Here are some key signs that it’s time to call a licenced electrician:
- If You’re Not Sure: When in doubt, don’t risk it. If you’re unsure about the cause of the tripped safety switch or how to properly address the issue, it’s always safer to call a professional who has the expertise to handle electrical problems safely.
- Age of System: If your electrical system is old or outdated, it may not be equipped to handle modern appliances and demands. A professional can assess the system and recommend necessary switchboard upgrades to ensure safety and efficiency.
- Frequent Problems: If the safety switch keeps tripping regularly, or you’re facing frequent electrical issues, this could point to a deeper underlying problem. A professional can identify and fix the root cause, saving you time and money.
- Recent Home Modifications: If you’ve recently made modifications to your home, such as renovations or added appliances, and your safety switch is tripping it could be due to improperly wired circuits, overloading or even damage to existing wiring. To prevent the risk of shocks and fire, it is best to call an electrician to effectively diagnose the issue.
- Storms, Rain, or Flooding: After storms, heavy rain, or flooding, there’s an increased risk of electrical faults due to water damage and lightning surges. Water can corrode wiring, create short circuits, or cause dangerous malfunctions. It’s crucial to have a professional inspect your system if you think it has been exposed to moisture.
- Multiple Reset Attempts Fail: If you’ve attempted to reset the safety switch multiple times and it continues to trip, this is a sign of a more serious issue. A licenced electrician will be able to diagnose the problem and provide a solution.
Making The Call
Small, but mighty, safety switches are a crucial part of your home’s electrical safety system. Understanding how they work, the common causes of tripping, and when to call a professional can help you keep your home safe and secure.
If your safety switch continues to trip, or if you notice any warning signs of a deeper issue, don’t hesitate to reach out for expert help. At Emos Electrical, we’re here to provide prompt, reliable, and professional electrician services on the Gold Coast. Whether it’s troubleshooting your safety switch or addressing any electrical concerns in your home, our experienced team has you covered.
Get in touch with us today for a free switchboard check and ensure your home’s electrical system is safe and up to code. Your safety is our priority!