Duravault’s Expert Guide to Electrical Trips in Leeds.
Why Have My Electrics Tripped?
When the lights go out or the sockets stop working unexpectedly, it can be more than just inconvenient—it can be worrying. If you’re a homeowner or landlord in Leeds wondering “Why have my electrics tripped?”, you’re not alone. Tripped electrics are one of the most common electrical issues, but thankfully they’re often easy to fix—if you know what you’re dealing with.
In this detailed blog, Duravault, your trusted local electrician in Leeds, walks you through everything you need to know about tripped electrics. From understanding the causes to knowing who can help, this guide is designed to make things simple, safe, and hassle-free.
What Can Cause My Electrics to Trip?
Tripped electrics happen when your fuse board (also called a consumer unit) detects a fault and cuts off power to prevent damage or danger. This automatic shut-off is typically caused by a problem with one of three types of protection in your system:
- MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker) – Trips due to overload or short circuits.
- RCD (Residual Current Device) – Trips due to earth leakage (current flowing to ground).
- RCBO (Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent) – Combines MCB and RCD functionality.
Common reasons your electrics might trip include:
- Faulty appliances (e.g., kettles, toasters)
- Damaged wiring
- Water ingress (e.g., from outdoor sockets or damp walls)
- Overloaded sockets or circuits
- DIY accidents (nails through wires, etc.)
In Leeds properties, especially older homes in areas like Headingley, Beeston, or Chapel Allerton, ageing wiring or outdated fuse boards are a regular cause of trips.
10 Common Electrical Faults That Cause Tripping
Understanding the most likely culprits helps identify the issue faster. Here are 10 of the most frequent causes we see at Duravault:
- Overloaded Circuits – Too many devices on one socket or extension lead.
- Faulty Appliances – A defective washing machine or hairdryer can cause earth leakage.
- Damaged Cables – Pets chewing cables, pinched cords, or wear and tear.
- Water Damage – Moisture in sockets, especially outdoors or in bathrooms.
- Poor DIY Work – Loose wires, bad connections or amateur fixes.
- Old Wiring – Degraded insulation can cause short circuits or arcing.
- Tripped RCD from Outdoor Equipment – Lawnmowers or pond pumps can easily cause faults.
- Loose Terminals in the Consumer Unit – Often from poor previous work.
- Rodent Damage – Rats and mice chewing cables inside walls or lofts.
- Broken Sockets or Switches – Cracks or burn marks can indicate serious faults.
If your electrics are tripping regularly, this isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a warning sign. Don’t ignore it.
How to Fix My Tripped Electrics?
Before calling an electrician, there are a few simple steps you can try safely. Follow these instructions only if you feel comfortable doing so.
Step-by-Step: What to Do When Your Electrics Trip
- Locate your fuse board (see next section if unsure).
- Identify if an RCD or MCB has tripped (the switch will be down).
- If it’s an RCD, turn off all MCBs below it.
- Reset the RCD first.
- Then turn on each MCB one by one until one causes the RCD to trip again.
- You’ve now identified the problem circuit.
- Unplug all items on that circuit and test again.
- If it stays on, plug in devices one at a time to find the faulty one.
If the RCD won’t reset or trips again with nothing plugged in, stop immediately and call a qualified electrician.
Never:
- Tape switches up or bypass breakers
- Attempt to remove or replace wires yourself
- Reset repeatedly without checking for a fault
Where Is My Fuse Board?
Knowing where your fuse board is can save time and prevent panic during a power cut. In most Leeds homes, consumer units are typically found:
- In the hallway cupboard
- Near the front or back door
- Under stairs or inside utility rooms
- In the garage or porch
Modern consumer units have labelled switches, RCDs, and MCBs. Older ones may have re-wireable fuses, which need replacement.
If you’ve just moved into a property or you’re a landlord with tenants, it’s a good idea to clearly label your fuseboard and ensure everyone knows where it is.
Older fuseboards in properties in Harehills, Armley, or Morley might not have RCD protection at all, which is a serious safety concern. Duravault offers fuseboard upgrade services for homeowners and landlords across Leeds.
Who Can Fix My Tripped Electrics?
To stay safe and legal, only qualified electricians should repair faults related to tripped electrics. At Duravault, we are:
- NICEIC-registered electricians
- Fully insured and Part P compliant
- Experts in fault-finding and consumer unit upgrades
Our team can:
- Locate the source of the trip using advanced testers
- Identify whether it's a faulty appliance, wiring fault, or board issue
- Replace damaged wiring, sockets, or appliances
- Upgrade consumer units where needed
- Provide an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) if you’re a landlord
We work efficiently and tidy up as we go—no mess, no jargon, just solutions.
How Much Does a Call-Out Cost in Leeds?
We know homeowners and landlords want clear, upfront pricing. Our standard costs include:
| Service Type | Cost (ex. VAT) |
| Emergency call-out (Mon–Fri 9–5) | £120–£150 |
| Out-of-hours emergency call-out | £150–£180 |
| Minor fault repair | £95–£120 |
| Full fault-find and remedial work | £200–£350+ |
| Fuseboard upgrade (if needed) | £600–£900+ |
All visits include:
- Testing and diagnosis
- Minor adjustments or repairs (where possible)
- Certification and safety checks
- Advice on prevention or upgrade options
Duravault never uses pushy tactics—we explain your options clearly, with no-obligation quotes and transparent billing.
How Duravault Can Help and the Areas We Cover
As your trusted local electrician in Leeds, Duravault is here to help you stay safe, compliant, and confident when your electrics trip. We provide:
- Same-day call-outs in most LS postcodes
- 24/7 emergency services (where available)
- Fuseboard upgrades and RCD/RCBO installation
- EICRs and landlord certifications
- Ongoing maintenance plans for landlords
Conclusion: Don’t Let Tripped Electrics Catch You Off Guard
Tripped electrics are common, but they’re never something to ignore. Whether it’s a faulty kettle or ageing fuseboard, it’s your home’s way of protecting you.
If you’re unsure about the cause or need a professional to investigate, Duravault offers responsive, reliable, and local electrical help across Leeds. We make fault-finding and fuseboard checks straightforward—and always with safety, clarity, and value in mind.
📞 Contact us today at 0113 436 9988
🌐 Or visit www.duravault.co.uk to request a quote or schedule a call-out.
Let us take the stress out of tripped electrics—Duravault is your first call for safe, smart, and local electrical help in Leeds.
