Why does my earth leakage keep tripping?

Safe fault finding

What an earth leakage does

The earth leakage unit (also called an RCD) in your DB board compares the current going out on a circuit with the current coming back. If some of it is leaking to earth, through a faulty appliance, water or a person, it switches off in a fraction of a second. It's a life-saving device, so never bypass it.

Most common causes

• A faulty appliance: kettles, washing machines, dishwashers and fridges are frequent culprits.
• A geyser element that has started leaking to earth.
• Water in outside plugs and lights, especially during Cape Town's winter rain.
• Damaged cables from rodents, drilling or old, perished insulation.
• Too many appliances on one earth leakage unit, adding up small leakages.

How to find the faulty circuit

1. Unplug appliancesUnplug everything you can, then reset the earth leakage.
2. Switch breakers offIf it still trips, switch off all circuit breakers, then reset the earth leakage.
3. Switch on one at a timeTurn breakers back on one by one. The breaker that makes it trip is the faulty circuit.
4. Leave it off and call usKeep that circuit off and book an electrician to repair it properly.

Older boards and wiring trip more often and may not meet today's standards. DB board upgrades and fault finding →