When an RCD trips it is a sign that a circuit in your property is unsafe. The most common cause of an RCD tripping is faulty appliances but there can be other causes.

If an RCD trips (switches to the ‘OFF’ position) in your property, try resetting the RCD by switching it back to the ‘ON’ position. If the problem with the circuit was temporary, this may solve the problem.

If this does not work and the RCD immediately trips again we advise to;

1. Switch all MCBs that the RCD is protecting to the ‘OFF’ position
2. Flip the RCD back on to the ‘ON’ position
3. Switch the MCBs to the ‘ON’ position one at a time.

When the RCD trips again, this will allow you to isolate which circuit has a fault. You will then need to call an electrician and explain the problem.

It is possible to try and identify a faulty appliance by unplugging all appliances, resetting the RCD to the ‘ON’ position and plugging each appliance back in, one at a time. Once the RCD trips after plugging back in an appliance, you have found your fault.

MCBs are protective electromagnetic devices that act as a switch in a circuit. An MCB will trip and shut down the system whenever there is a danger to the entire circuit.

The most common faults that will cause an MCB to trip are;

Overload – This arises when a circuit draws a higher current than its rating, for example, from a 6A socket if we draw 10A current the condition is said to be overload.

Short circuit – Short circuit means that two wires that should not be coming into contact with each other are inadvertently touching. A short can occur in an outlet, a switch or within an appliance if wires are loose or damaged.

To test for circuit overload, unplug all appliances, lamps and other devices within the circuit. Flip the MCB back to the ‘ON’ position then turn on all switches and plug in and turn on devices one at a time. Wait a few minutes in between to see if the circuit will remain on. If the MCB trips before you have turned on all appliances, you are likely to be overloading the circuit.

You can reduce the amount of appliances running on the circuit, which will prevent the MCB from tripping. However, the best long term solution is to have an electrician upgrade your homes wiring to add additional circuits.

The test for a short circuit is very similar to testing for overload. When you plug in an appliance that has a short in its wiring it will trip the circuit immediately. If you notice that a certain appliance trips the breaker every time you turn it on, try plugging it into an outlet in a different room. If the breaker for that room trips, the short is in the appliance. Don’t use the appliance again until it can be fixed.

A short circuit can also occur in a wall switch or an outlet. If the MCB trips every time you turn on a certain light switch or plug this would indicate a the location of the short circuit. Electrical shorts in home wiring should be investigated by an electrician.

If your carbon monoxide alarm is sounding, it is important that you take action immediately.

You and anybody else within the building should exit the building immediately. If you are experiencing symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Common symptoms include;

• Fatigue and drowsiness
• Headaches
• Impaired judgement
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• High levels of poisoning can lead to loss of consciousness and muscular coordination, and ultimately death

Pets usually become poisoned by carbon monoxide before people do. They may become weak or unresponsive so be aware of this when checking for symptoms.

To warn of dangerous CO levels, most detectors will beep 4 or 5 times in a row approximately every 4 seconds. Do not mistake this for a detector with a low battery.

As soon as you are outside, you should call the National Gas Emergency Service number; 0800 111 999

It is important to test your carbon monoxide alarm regularly. Mains alarms should be tested once a month. If your alarm is battery operated you should change the batteries at least once a year.

Your smoke alarm is extremely important in keeping you and your family safe in case of a house fire. However, they don’t alway sound when there is a fire in your home.

Smoke detector false alarms are common, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore the sound if you don’t see or smell smoke. Smoke alarms can detect hidden fires, such as electrical fires before you can.

If an alarm sounds, assume there is a fire and follow proper safety precautions.

The most likely causes of smoke alarms sounding randomly are;

Batteries – People often forget to change the batteries in fire alarm devices regularly. A low battery will cause your alarm to intermittently beep. Whilst thats not a sign of smoke detection, it means you should check on your device. Batteries should be replaced every 2 years if your smoke alarm is mains operated, and twice a year for battery operated devices.

Food Preparation – A hint of burnt food can be enough to set off a smoke detector. Smoke alarm placement is important to avoid this, i.e putting a smoke alarm in a hallway leading to the kitchen, instead of the kitchen itself.

Dust and Dirt – Dust and dirt build up from day to day life or activities such as remodelling may set off your smoke alarm. To clean your alarm, you should carefully use a vacuum or aerosol cleaner to remove dust particles.

Old Smoke Alarm – Smoke alarms generally have a life span of about 10 years. When they reach the end of their lifespan, false alarms may occur more often. If your alarm is more than 10 years old, we recommend replacing it with a new one immediately.