What Is An RCD And Why Do I Need One?

An RCD – Residual Current Device – Is A Super Safety Switch That Switches Off As Soon As It Registers Any Difference Or ‘Spike’ In The Flow Of Electrical Current.

An RCD can be triggered by something as simple as a light bulb blowing, an appliance that has just switched on which may have a fault in it, or by something more serious like a socket burning out or water getting into an electrical connection.

This shows the RCD switch down in the ‘off’ position.

An RCD is designed to turn off the power to the circuit breakers (switches) next to it if it detects a fault on that circuit. The labelling should accurately display what circuit they are controlling. It’s a good idea, another time when all is working OK, to check that all of the switches are labelled correctly by turning them all off, then turning on one at a time and confirm that only that circuit is live.

First Step – Try Switching The RCD Back Up Again

An RCD is a safety device so there is no need to be scared of it! – it will either switch on or it won’t. If it does switch back up and stay on then think back to what you were doing when the electricity went off? Had you just turned on the kettle or toaster? – or maybe the thermostat on the fridge or freezer has just kicked in ? If an appliance caused the problem you may need to get a new one.

If you can’t turn the RCD back on then that indicates that there is still a fault on one of those circuits.

Second Step – Turn Off All The Switches Next To The RCD, Then Follow This Process

If you can’t turn the RCD back on then that indicates that there is still a fault on one of those circuits.

switch the RCD on – some types need to be pressed fully down before they will switch back up.
now switch each circuit back on, one at a time and see which one causes the RCD to trip, that will indicate which circuit has the fault.
Go around and pull out all the plugs of the appliances that are on that circuit.
Try switching on the RCD again. If it can be turned on then try plugging in each appliance one by one. When something trips the RCD again you have found the culprit!
Leave that item unplugged and your immediate problem is solved, however try plugging it in to another socket because the cause may actually be a dodgy socket.
If the appliance continues to cause the RCD to trip then it is faulty and needs repair or replacement

If after all of this you can’t sort the problem then give us a call on 01375 803089 or log onto electricalsolutionsuk.com to contact us. However, give yourself a pat on the back because you will have narrowed down where the problem lies which will save time finding the problem and therefore your final bill will be cheaper. Meanwhile, you should be able to have all your other electrics up and running.