You switch on the kettle and suddenly the kitchen lights go out, while the rest of the house stays on. This is a common issue in Parramatta homes and usually points to a tripped circuit breaker. In many cases, you can safely check and reset it yourself. This guide from Powerhub Electrical explains how to identify a tripped breaker, what causes it, and when it’s time to call in a licensed electrician.
What Does a Circuit Breaker Do?
Circuit breakers are built-in safety devices inside your home’s switchboard. They automatically cut off power to a specific circuit when they detect an unsafe electrical current. This helps protect your wiring, appliances, and family from overheating, fires, and electrical faults.
Common Reasons Breakers Trip
When a breaker trips, it’s responding to an unsafe electrical event to protect your home. Below are the most frequent causes and what’s really happening behind your walls and outlets:
Too Much Power Use on One Circuit
Using high-wattage appliances like kettles and microwaves on one outlet can exceed the circuit’s load capacity. The breaker trips to stop overheating and prevent electrical fires in overloaded areas.
Simultaneous Start-Up of High-Draw Devices
When appliances like fridges and dishwashers power on at once, they create a startup surge. The breaker cuts power to prevent damage from sudden current spikes in residential circuits.
Faulty Appliance Causing a Short Circuit
A damaged appliance can allow electricity to flow where it shouldn’t. This causes a short circuit, instantly tripping the breaker to avoid shock hazards, sparks, or internal fire.
Wiring Faults Hidden Behind Walls
Loose or deteriorated wiring inside walls causes irregular current flow or arcing. These faults create unsafe conditions, prompting the breaker to shut power down for safety and fire prevention.
Moisture Entry in Sockets and Junction Boxes
Water in outlets or fittings allows electricity to leak off course. This leakage trips the breaker instantly to stop shock risks, especially in bathrooms, laundries, and outdoor areas.
Tripped Safety Switch (RCD) Linked to Circuit
If current leaks to earth from a faulty cord or wet appliance, the safety switch detects the fault. It cuts power faster than the breaker, protecting against electric shock.
Overloaded Power Boards and Adaptors
Plugging too many devices into a single power board can exceed its capacity. The breaker reacts to overheating or excessive load by tripping before cables or sockets overheat.
Damaged Extension Leads or Cords
Cords with crushed insulation or exposed wires can leak current or short internally. When plugged in, the breaker cuts power to prevent sparks, fires, or shock from unsafe leads.
Rodents Damaging Roof or Wall Wiring
Rats and mice chewing through cable insulation expose live wires. This causes shorts or current leaks, which the breaker detects and interrupts to prevent hidden electrical faults from worsening.
Corrosion at Terminals or Inside the Breaker
Rust and corrosion increase electrical resistance at terminals, causing heat or erratic power flow. The breaker shuts down the circuit to stop faults from escalating or damaging your switchboard.
How to Know a Breaker Has Tripped
Recognising a tripped breaker isn’t always obvious, especially in modern homes. These indicators help you confirm whether a single circuit has cut out and needs manual resetting:
One Part of the House Loses Power
If power loss is limited to one room or outlet but the rest of your home remains on, it likely means a single breaker has tripped on that specific circuit.
Breaker Is Out of Line or Halfway
A breaker that has tripped usually sits in the middle, not fully OFF or ON. It may also look slightly tilted or feel different when touched compared to nearby switches.
No Safety Switches Have Flipped
When all RCDs or safety switches are still in the ON position, and only one area is without power, the cause is typically a standard circuit breaker trip rather than an RCD.
You Hear a ‘Click’ Before Power Loss
A quiet clicking sound from the switchboard right before power cuts out often signals a tripped breaker reacting to overload, short circuit, or a faulty connected appliance.
Certain Lights or Outlets Stop Working Together
When a specific group of lights or sockets fails at once, it means they share a circuit that has likely been disabled by the breaker tripping to prevent electrical danger.
Appliances Suddenly Stop Mid-Use
If an appliance shuts off while operating — without blowing a fuse or tripping the RCD — the connected circuit breaker may have tripped due to internal load or equipment failure.
The Breaker Won’t Stay On After Reset
If you reset the breaker and it trips again immediately, it’s a strong sign that the circuit is overloaded or something plugged in is faulty or shorting internally.
How to Reset a Tripped Breaker
Resetting a breaker is safe in most cases, as long as you follow these steps carefully to avoid further damage or repeat trips:
Step 1 – Find Your Switchboard
Locate your home’s switchboard, commonly installed in the garage, laundry, or hallway. Open the panel carefully to access the circuit breakers and check their alignment or condition.
Step 2 – Spot the Tripped Breaker
Look for a breaker that’s out of alignment or not fully ON. Tripped switches usually sit between ON and OFF and may feel softer than the properly engaged ones nearby.
Step 3 – Unplug Items in That Area
Disconnect all devices and appliances in the affected area before resetting. This prevents faulty equipment from causing the breaker to trip again as soon as power is restored.
Step 4 – Push It Fully to ‘Off’
Firmly move the tripped switch all the way to the OFF position. This step is necessary to reset the internal trip mechanism before restoring normal operation safely.
Step 5 – Switch It Back ‘On’
Push the switch back to the ON position with firm pressure. If it clicks into place and stays there, your circuit is now active and power should return as expected.
Step 6 – Test Devices One by One
Plug appliances back in individually. If the breaker trips after connecting a particular item, that device likely has an internal fault and should be tested or replaced immediately.
Breaker vs Safety Switch: Know the Difference
Understanding the difference between circuit breakers and safety switches is essential for protecting both your property and your personal safety. While they may look similar inside your switchboard, they serve very different functions:
Circuit Breakers Protect Equipment
Circuit breakers are designed to stop the flow of electricity if there’s a fault in the wiring or too much current running through a circuit. They protect your appliances, lighting, and wiring from overheating or catching fire. For example, if you plug in too many high-draw devices and overload the circuit, the breaker trips to prevent dangerous damage to your electrical infrastructure.
Safety Switches Protect People
Safety switches, also called RCDs (Residual Current Devices), monitor the flow of electricity in real time. If they detect even a small current leaking to earth — like through a person or wet appliance — they shut off power in under 30 milliseconds. This rapid disconnection helps prevent electric shock, electrocution, or serious injury. Under NSW safety standards, all new homes and switchboard upgrades in Parramatta must include RCDs on all final sub-circuits.
Why You Need Both in Your Switchboard
Circuit breakers and safety switches serve complementary roles. Breakers protect the system; safety switches protect you. A modern switchboard should have both — ideally with RCBOs, which combine both functions in one unit for each circuit. If your board lacks RCD protection or you’re unsure which circuits are protected, a safety inspection by Powerhub Electrical is highly recommended.
Can You Reset It Yourself?
Yes — If These Conditions Apply:
- No smell of burning or scorched plastic
- No signs of water damage
- Breaker isn’t hot to the touch
- You’ve unplugged any suspect appliances
If It Trips Again, Stop and Call Us
If the breaker continues to trip after resetting, or you are unsure about what caused the issue, contact Powerhub Electrical in Parramatta on 0400 332 331. A licensed electrician can test the circuit and safely resolve the fault.
When to Call an Electrical
Contact a licensed Parramatta electrician if you notice any of the following:
- Breaker trips repeatedly even after unplugging appliances – may indicate a deeper wiring or load issue.
- Burning smell, melted plastic, or scorch marks near the switchboard – signs of overheating or arcing.
- Old or unlabelled switchboard – can make fault isolation difficult and may lack modern safety protection.
- Flickering lights or appliances losing power – could be loose connections or failing breakers.
- You’re unsure which breaker controls what – Powerhub Electrical can safely test and label circuits.
- Breakers feel soft or won’t click into place – internal faults can affect safe operation.
Need Expert Help? Contact Powerhub Electrical in Parramatta
Powerhub Electrical provides local, reliable electrical support across Parramatta. Contact us for:
- Same-day circuit breaker repairs
- Full fault diagnosis and circuit testing
- Safe switchboard upgrades with RCBO protection
- Honest advice from licensed electricians
Call 0400 332 331 now on to book your service. We are ready to restore your power safely and quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes circuit breakers to trip repeatedly?
The most common reasons include overloaded circuits, faulty appliances, and internal wiring faults. If your breaker trips often, it is best to have a licensed electrician inspect the circuit.
Is it safe to reset a tripped breaker myself?
Yes, as long as there are no signs of heat, burning smells, or exposed wires, and all devices are unplugged before the reset. If the breaker trips again or you are unsure of the cause, call a professional.
Can a breaker go bad over time?
Yes, circuit breakers can wear out and become unreliable. They may trip too easily or fail to trip when needed. We recommend having them tested during routine switchboard inspections.
What’s the difference between a circuit breaker and a safety switch?
A circuit breaker protects your wiring and appliances from overloads and faults. A safety switch protects people from electric shock. Both are essential for home electrical safety in Parramatta.
Should I upgrade to RCBOs?
Yes, RCBOs combine the functions of a circuit breaker and a safety switch. They provide individual protection for each circuit and are included in all modern switchboard upgrades we install.
Is it important to label breakers?
Yes, clearly labelled breakers help you identify which part of the house each switch controls. This makes it easier to isolate problems and improves safety during emergencies. We offer professional labelling as part of every switchboard upgrade.
