Why does my power keep tripping?

Power trips when something causes an overload, short circuit, or earth fault. These are automatic safety responses from your switchboard to prevent shock or fire. If it keeps happening, the cause needs professional attention from a licensed electrician.

The Power Cuts Out

Power cutting out mid-dinner? Kettle trips the whole kitchen? If your power keeps cutting out, you’re not alone.

Electrx sees this problem all the time in homes around Werribee, Tarneit, Altona and surrounding suburbs. It’s one of the most common reasons people call us.
The cause might be minor—or it could be something dangerous you can’t see.

This guide walks you through why it happens, what you can check, and how to know when it’s time to call in help.

1. Why Power Trips

When your switchboard senses a problem, it shuts things down. It’s a built-in safety feature to stop electric shock, overheating or even fire.

The most likely reasons include:

Overloaded circuits

Too many devices running on one circuit causes more current than the wires are rated for. The breaker cuts off power to prevent overheating.

Short circuits

When live and neutral wires come into contact, the circuit can’t operate safely. This causes an instant trip.

Earth faults

Moisture, damaged insulation or a fault in an appliance can divert electricity to ground. The safety switch activates to stop it.

Faulty appliances

Sometimes the issue isn’t the wiring—it’s a dodgy fridge, heater or washing machine. Plug-in faults can still trip the circuit.

2. What You Can Try First

Before calling anyone, run this quick test:

• Unplug everything on the affected circuit
• Try resetting the breaker or safety switch
• Plug appliances back in one at a time
• Watch for which one causes the trip

If the switch still trips when everything is unplugged, it’s likely a fault in the wiring or the board itself.

You can book a response from Electrx via our Emergency Electrician page.

3. Can You Fix It Yourself?

No. And trying to will only make things worse. Proper testing involves gear to measure circuit loads, insulation resistance and fault paths. You won’t spot a half-burned cable in a wall or a moisture-soaked switch on your own.

If the fault lies with the wiring, switchboard or safety switch, only a licensed electrician can diagnose and repair it.

For more background, Energy Safe Victoria explains the risks of electrical DIY clearly.

4. When to Call an Electrician

These signs mean you shouldn’t wait:

• The same breaker trips again after being reset
• You smell burning from outlets or the switchboard
• Lights dim or flicker before tripping
• There’s buzzing from the fuse box
• You’ve lost power to part of the home or key appliances

Electrx responds fast across Melbourne’s west.
We’re on the ground in Laverton, Altona, Tarneit, Hoppers Crossing and nearby areas.

5. What We Do When We Arrive

We don’t guess. We test. Our emergency callouts include:

• Switchboard and circuit testing
• RCD fault tracing
• Isolation and testing of appliances
• Circuit breaker and wiring repair
• Load analysis and safety assessments
• Immediate temporary repairs if required

If we find an outdated board or overloaded system, we may suggest a Switchboard Upgrade to avoid ongoing problems.

FAQs

Why does power trip when I run the kettle and microwave together?
They draw a lot of current. If they share a circuit, it’s too much for the breaker to handle.

Can I keep resetting the breaker if it trips?
No. If it trips more than once, there’s a real problem. Constant resets can worsen the fault.

Could it be the fridge or heater causing it?
Absolutely. Older appliances often have hidden faults. We can test them to be sure.

How quickly can you attend?
We respond within 60 to 90 minutes across Melbourne’s western suburbs in most cases.

Final Thoughts

Power keeps tripping for a reason. The system’s doing its job—but if it’s happening often, something’s not right. We can track down the cause, fix it fast, and get your home running safely again.

Need it sorted today? Contact Electrx and we’ll take it from here.

See Our Emergency Electrician Reviews