Faults and safety
Why Does My Earth Leakage Keep Tripping?
Earth leakage keeps tripping? Learn what the protection is doing, common fault categories, safe observations and when to book urgent electrical fault finding.
- Written by
- Welvaart Electrical, Registered electrical contractor
- Last reviewed
- 1 August 2026
QUICK ANSWER
Earth leakage is a protective device. If it keeps tripping, treat the trip as a warning rather than the problem itself. Moisture, damaged appliances, wiring faults, deteriorated insulation, connected equipment or a fault in the installation can all be involved. Do not bypass the device or keep forcing it to reset.
First: decide whether this is an emergency
If there is smoke, flame, active arcing, a strong burning smell, melting, severe heat, a shock or wet electrical equipment, keep people away and prioritise safety. Leave if there is immediate danger and call emergency services where appropriate. Isolate only through a normal control if it is safe to reach; do not remove the DB cover.
What earth leakage is trying to do
Earth-leakage protection is designed to disconnect supply when it detects an imbalance consistent with current taking an unintended path. That protection helps reduce risk, but it does not identify the exact faulty item for the homeowner. A trip can involve one appliance, one circuit, moisture, damaged wiring, accumulated leakage from several loads or the protective device and installation itself.
A circuit breaker and an earth-leakage device do different jobs, even though both may appear in the DB board. The label, which switch moved and the site symptoms help the electrician plan testing, but consumers should not open the board to investigate.
Common patterns an electrician will ask about
| Pattern you notice | Possible fault category—not a diagnosis | Useful information to record |
|---|---|---|
| Trips after rain or damp weather | Moisture at outside equipment, joints, gates, pumps or damaged enclosures | Weather, circuit affected and whether outside equipment was operating. |
| Trips when one appliance starts | Appliance, fixed connection, circuit or load-related fault | Appliance name, time and whether the trip is immediate or delayed. |
| Trips randomly with many items on | Accumulated leakage, intermittent wiring/equipment fault or heat-related change | What was operating and how long the property had been energised. |
| Will not reset | Persistent fault, damaged equipment or unsafe condition | Do not force it; note recent work, water or unusual smell/sound. |
| Trips after solar/inverter work | Integration, wiring, equipment or changeover issue requiring proper testing | Installer records, diagrams and when the behaviour began. |
Safe observations you can make
- Write down the time, weather and what was operating.
- Note whether the whole property or only some circuits lost power.
- Look and smell from a safe distance for water, scorching, melting or unusual noise. Do not touch suspect equipment.
- Check whether the problem began after new electrical work or equipment was added.
- Keep appliance model details, solar/inverter documents and previous repair records ready for the electrician.
DO NOT USE
A REPEATED-RESET ROUTINE Repeatedly resetting a device without finding the fault can re-energise an unsafe condition. Never hold it on, bridge it, remove it or replace protection with a larger rating as a shortcut.
Why “unplug everything and try again” has limits
An electrician may ask controlled questions about connected appliances, but online advice should not turn the homeowner into the test instrument. Some appliances are fixed, a circuit can remain hazardous after a portable item is removed, and a failed reset can expose people to repeated energisation. If a single obviously damaged portable appliance is involved, stop using it; otherwise, let proper testing identify the fault.
Children, tenants, staff and visitors should be told not to use suspect points. If the property cannot be made safe through ordinary controls, keep the area restricted and seek urgent professional help.
What professional fault finding involves
The electrician first gathers the symptom history and establishes safe access. Depending on the installation, testing may separate circuits and equipment, assess insulation, earthing and protective-device operation, and look for moisture, damage, loose connections or integration problems. The exact sequence depends on risk and should not be copied from a generic article.
A good outcome is not simply “the power is back”. It is a recorded cause or defensible fault scope, a safe repair, appropriate testing and a clear explanation of any further work.
When to book help even if power returns
- The trip repeats.
- The device feels hot, buzzes or will not stay on.
- The issue follows rain, a geyser cycle, pool pump, gate motor, stove, solar/inverter operation or another repeatable event.
- There is any shock, tingling, burning smell, discolouration or melted plastic.
- The fault began after alterations or an unverified repair.
- A tenant, child, older person or business operation could be exposed if it happens again.
Need fault finding? Describe when the trip happens, the affected area and any recent work. That information helps Welvaart prepare for the visit.
Request a CoC inspectionCommon questions
- Can earth leakage trip because of rain?
- Yes, moisture can be one category of cause, especially around outdoor equipment or damaged enclosures. It still requires safe diagnosis rather than repeated resetting.
- Does a trip mean the earth-leakage device is faulty?
- Not necessarily. It may be operating because another fault exists. The device and the installation both need appropriate testing.
- Why does it trip only when the geyser or appliance turns on?
- That pattern helps narrow the investigation, but it does not prove the appliance alone is at fault. Stop using suspect equipment and have the circuit assessed.
- Can I bypass earth leakage temporarily?
- No. Bypassing protection can expose people to serious shock and fire risk.
- Is this a CoC issue?
- Repeated tripping is first a safety and fault-finding issue. If repairs or alterations are made, appropriate testing and certification requirements also apply.
Stop guessing at the DB board Book professional fault finding and give Welvaart the symptom history so the cause can be tested safely.
Request a CoC inspectionSources and publication notes
Sources and further reading
- Eskom public electrical safety guidance
- Eskom electricity safety tips
- Electrical Installation Regulations, 2009
This guide is general information about electrical compliance in South Africa. It is not legal advice and does not replace an inspection of your specific installation.
Request a CoC inspection