Lights circuit breaker keeps tripping - even with lights off

usignuolo
usignuolo Posts: 1,923 Forumite
in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving
Our circuit breaker has started tripping the downstairs lighting circuit even when all the lights are off. We have not added anything on to it recently and there does not appear to be anywhere water can get in. Any suggestions?

Comments

  • Jonesya
    Jonesya Posts: 1,823 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    If the circuit breaker is tripping when all of the lights are switched off, that would point to a fault (possibly intermittent) on the lighting circuit, or possibly a problem with the circuit breaker itself.

    You need to get the lighting circuit tested and inspected by electrician to confirm where the fault lies.

    In the mean time, for safety, leave the lighting circuit switched off until you get it tested and the fault repaired. If there's a fault on the circuit, you don't want to get powering it up as it could start a fire.
  • phill99
    phill99 Posts: 9,093 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post
    Typically, it means an earthing fault. This is because the circuit breaker is constantly checking for earthing, even when the lights are off. Ots obviously found a fault and tripped itself.

    Get it checked.
    Eat vegetables and fear no creditors, rather than eat duck and hide.
  • MoneyMate
    MoneyMate Posts: 3,225 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic First Post
    Have any of the bulbs gone ?
    Could put on earth fault tripping breaker.
    There are more questions than answers :shhh: :silenced:
    WARNING ! May go silent for unfriendly replies
    Please excuse me Spell it MOST times :o
    :)
    :A UK Resident :A
  • usignuolo
    usignuolo Posts: 1,923 Forumite
    Back to Square One. Had electrician round yesterday. He checked all lighting sockets, tightened one possible loose connection, checked out circuit board, turned all lights on and off several times, declared could not find any fault. Tonight it has tripped twice...... any suggestions?
  • Ant555
    Ant555 Posts: 1,569 Forumite
    First Anniversary Photogenic First Post Name Dropper
    edited 29 August 2014 at 11:34PM
    Do you happen to know if anything else is running off the lighting circuit downstairs?

    I wonder if the previous owners have run something such as an outside light off it. If so then it could be rainwater getting into the outside unit or some other fault on it maybe caused by corrosion.

    I assume that the qualified electrician would have thought of this but I just thought id mention it as my outside light is definitely off the lighting circuit.
  • dil1976
    dil1976 Posts: 484 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Post First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    I hope you didn't pay for that work by the "electrician".

    He should have got some test equipment out and carried out a full range of tests on the circuit that is tripping out.
This discussion has been closed.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 343.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 250.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 449.7K Spending & Discounts
  • 235.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 607.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 173K Life & Family
  • 247.8K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 15.9K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards