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Trip switches

Most modern or rewired homes have a modern fuse board, though some older ones do not

If you have an old fuse box with rewireable fuses you should contact the Repairs Contact Centre for help on 0115 915 2222.

Resetting a trip switch

Modern fuse boxes are called consumer units. These have circuit breakers or trip switches. If an electrical fault occurs, the circuit breakers switch everything off to prevent injury and damage.

If your home has a consumer unit it will be near your electricity meter. It is important you make sure you know where your consumer unit is, and where the trip switches are.

To reset a trip switch you will need to:

• unplug all appliances
• open the cover on the consumer unit to expose trip switches
• reset the trip by pushing in or pushing up the trip switch
• plug the appliances back in one at a time to check if any are faulty and tripping the switch again
• replace the trip cover.

If it goes again:

There could be a fault in an appliance or light fitting. You will need to find out where the fault is.

1. First, unplug all appliances
2. Then reset the tripped switch to the ON position (if it is a button, press it in)
3. Turn each light on, one at a time
4. If the trip switch goes again after you turn a light on, then the bulb or light fitting may be faulty
5. Plug each appliance in and turn them on, one at a time
6. If the trip switch goes again after plugging an appliance back in, there is a fault with that appliance
7. Turn the faulty light or appliance off and unplug it. You should then be able to reset the trip switch.
8. If the switch keeps moving back to the off position call us on 0115 915 2222. We will arrange an inspection by an electrician.

Find more tips and useful advice in your Repairs Handbook.