If your fuse box keeps tripping, it’s more than just annoying — it’s your system trying to protect you from a fault.

At EPM, we deal with this sort of call-out almost daily in Exeter and surrounding areas. Sometimes it’s an appliance, sometimes it’s faulty wiring, and occasionally it’s the consumer unit itself.

Here’s what repeated tripping could mean — and when it’s time to get it checked out.

First, What’s Actually “Tripping”?

Your consumer unit (often called a fuse box) uses RCDs, MCBs or RCBOs to detect problems and shut the power off automatically.

There are three main types of trip:

• RCD: Earth leakage (like a live wire touching metal or water)

• MCB: Overloaded or short-circuiting circuit

• RCBO: A combination of both

If one keeps tripping, it’s your system saying “something isn’t safe here.”

5 Common Reasons for Frequent Tripping

1. A Faulty Appliance

Often the culprit. Kettles, dishwashers, washing machines or toasters are common offenders.
Test it: Unplug everything on that circuit, reset the switch, and plug items back in one at a time.

2. Overloaded Circuit

Too many things on one ring can overload it — especially older installations. Think electric heaters, tumble dryers, or multiple kitchen gadgets on one socket run.

3. Faulty Wiring or Damaged Cable

Wires can degrade over time — especially in damp areas or under floors.
We’ve even seen mice chew through cables in lofts or extensions.

4. Water Ingress

Leaky bathrooms, outside sockets or garden lighting often cause trips — especially after rain.
This is very common in Devon’s older stone properties with hidden junction boxes.

5. Faulty or Outdated Consumer Unit

Some older units simply aren’t up to the job anymore. If the RCD is oversensitive or the box itself is corroding, it can trip without good reason.

How We Diagnose the Cause

At EPM, we’ll:

• Check for obvious overloads or faulty appliances

• Test each circuit individually

• Use insulation resistance testing to pinpoint wiring faults

• Advise if the board needs upgrading or not

We won’t just guess and swap parts — we test properly, explain clearly, and only replace what’s necessary.

What It Might Cost

Depending on what we find:

• Appliance fault: Free advice — you may not need us after testing

• Simple circuit fault: £90–£150 for diagnosis and minor fix

• Consumer unit upgrade: £550–£750

• Full rewire (if required): Estimated after full assessment

Final Word from EPM

If your power keeps cutting out, don’t just flick it back on and hope for the best.
A tripping fuse box is your system shouting for attention — and we’ll help you get to the bottom of it, safely and quickly.