Checking your Trip Switch

Modern electric circuits are fitted with a circuit breaker fuse system. If a fault develops, a switch is tripped. If you have a trip switch, it will be on or near your fusebox, your fusebox will always be near to your electricity meter. You should always locate your trip switch and fuse box when you first move into a property - before an emergency occurs. Your trip switch should have a 'push to test' or a 'reset' button.

Switches can trip for a number of reasons:

* An over loaded circuit - too many electrical appliances used at once
* A faulty appliance
* Over filled kettle
* Faulty connections on appliance leads.
* Faulty emersion heater

If a switch has tripped because of one of these reasons, you should flick it back on and then re plug items one by one. If the switch trips again, you will know that that particular item is faulty.