How to Reset an RCD When Your Socket Circuit Is the Problem (Leeds Homeowners Guide)

If your RCD keeps tripping and you’ve narrowed it down to the socket circuit, follow this safe, step-by-step guide. This post is written for homeowners in Leeds and surrounding areas. If you’re unsure at any point, contact a qualified electrician in Leeds like Duravault Electrical.

Important Safety First

If you smell burning, see scorch marks, or hear buzzing from the consumer unit, do not attempt a reset. Call an emergency electrician in Leeds.

Never open the consumer unit cover beyond the user-accessible flap.

1) What You’ll Need

• A phone torch
• Notepad to track which appliances are unplugged
• Optional: plug-in socket tester (for basic checks)
• Step-by-Step: Resetting an RCD Caused by the Socket Circuit

2) Identify the tripped device

1. Locate your consumer unit (fuse board). You’ll typically see:

   Main switch

   One or two RCDs (test button “T”)

   Several MCBs/RCBOs labeled (e.g., Sockets, Lights, Cooker)

2. The RCD lever will be in the down/tripped position. Note which MCBs feed “Sockets” under that RCD.
3. Turn off socket MCBs protected by the tripped RCD
4. Switch all socket MCBs under that RCD to OFF.
5. Leave lighting and other circuits off for now if they’re on the same RCD.
6. Unplug everything on the affected socket circuit(s)
7. Walk round and unplug all appliances: kettles, toasters, fridge/freezer, washing machine, dishwasher, TVs, chargers, outdoor equipment, garage sockets, garden tools, extensions.
8. Check outbuildings, sheds, loft sockets, outdoor sockets, and Christmas lights—common culprits in Leeds homes due to damp ingress.
9. Reset the RCD
10. With all socket MCBs OFF and appliances unplugged, push the RCD firmly to ON.
11. If it won’t reset, a fault may be on another circuit or the RCD itself—stop and call a qualified electrician in Leeds.
12. Restore socket MCBs one by one
13. Turn ON one socket MCB at a time.
14. If the RCD stays on, move to the next MCB.
15. When an MCB causes the RCD to trip immediately, you’ve found the problem circuit.
16. Plug appliances back in, step by step
17. On the problem circuit, keep the MCB ON and plug in one appliance at a time, switching it on.
18. Wait 10–20 seconds between each. When the RCD trips, the last item plugged in is likely faulty.

3) Common triggers:

• Kettle/toaster (element faults)
• Fridge/freezer or washing machine (moisture/earth leakage)
• Outdoor sockets or pond pumps (water ingress)
• Damaged extension leads or surge protectors
• EV chargers or garden tools

1. Isolate the faulty item
2. Unplug the suspect appliance and reset the RCD.
3. If the RCD now holds, keep that appliance unplugged and arrange repair/replacement.

If the RCD still trips with everything unplugged on that circuit, the issue could be:

• A damaged socket
• Water ingress in an outside socket
• Cable damage (e.g., drilled or rodent damage)
• Cumulative earth leakage from multiple appliances
• Faulty MCB/RCD

4) Test outdoor and garage sockets

• Inspect for moisture, cracked covers, or green discoloration. Do not use if damp is present.
• If weather-related, leave to dry and re-test later. Consider IP-rated replacements.
• Use a socket tester (optional)

Basic testers can flag missing earth or reversed polarity. If anything unusual shows, stop and book an electrician.

5) When to call an electrician

• RCD won’t reset with all MCBs OFF
• RCD trips with everything unplugged
• Burning smell, heat, buzzing, or signs of water ingress
• Repeated nuisance tripping (could indicate cumulative leakage or failing RCD)
• You’re unsure about circuit labeling or older fuse boxes

6) Preventing Future RCD Trips

• Replace damaged extensions and avoid daisy-chaining.
• Fit weatherproof, RCD-protected outdoor sockets.
• Keep appliances dry; avoid placing kettles/toasters under wall units where steam condenses.
• Schedule an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) every 5 years (or when moving house).
• Consider RCBO upgrades for better fault separation in Leeds homes with many appliances.

7) Need a Reliable Electrician in Leeds?

Duravault Electrical provides:

• RCD fault finding and consumer unit upgrades
• Emergency electrician call-outs in Leeds (including evenings/weekends)
• EICR inspections and certification
• Socket and wiring repairs, outdoor power, EV chargers

Service areas include: Leeds city centre, Headingley, Hyde Park, Chapel Allerton, Roundhay, Moortown, Horsforth, Yeadon, Guiseley, Pudsey, Farsley, Calverley, Bramley, Armley, Kirkstall, Morley, Rothwell, Garforth, Crossgates, Seacroft, Wetherby, Otley, Wakefield, Harrogate, York.

Call your local electrician in Leeds for fast RCD tripping diagnostics and safe repairs. If your RCD won’t reset or you suspect a socket circuit fault, book a same-day visit.