It’s the perfect setup for a cold winter’s night. The dryer is sorting out the clothes, the TV is entertaining the kids, the heater is warming up the house, and you have time for a cup of tea before starting dinner.

Then it goes dark.

At first, it’s disturbing, and there’s a little panic. But before too long, you realise it’s not throughout the house, just in a certain area. Ah, the fuse box. So off to the garage with your torch, you flick the switch back up and fix it all.

Electrical tripping in a fuse box is a common problem. A fuse box, breaker box or switchboard is a type of electrical panel that contains circuit breakers and fuses to protect the electrical wiring and appliances in a home from overloading. When a circuit breaker trips, it detects an abnormal electrical current in the circuit. It automatically shuts off the flow of electricity to prevent a potential electrical fire or other dangerous situation.

Overloading occurs when too many electrical devices are connected to a single circuit, drawing more current than it was designed to handle. Short circuits occur when the hot wire in an electrical circuit comes into direct contact with a neutral wire, causing a large surge of electricity to flow through the circuit.

Sometimes the cause can be a faulty appliance or just the fitting/plug on the appliance. Think about what was plugged in when the fuse tripped, and try experimenting with one unplugged each time.

But if the fuse trips again after being reset, that can be a sign of a more serious electrical problem, and you should contact us to check it out for you.

In some cases, a blown fuse may cause electrical tripping. A fuse is a metal wire that melts and breaks the circuit if too much electrical current flows through it. Replacing a blown fuse is relatively simple, as you only need to remove the old fuse and replace it with a new one of the same rating. However, if they are blowing consistently, it’s another sign of a more serious problem.

Another reason for constant tripping is rain damage – something to be aware of after all the recent weather events New Zealand has endured. Electrical storms can also be the cause.

So don’t just keep flicking the switch – take it for the warning that it is, and get it checked out before something worse happens than delaying that cup of tea. Call No Shock on 09 636 8742.