What's causing my electrical problem?

Good to know

A few things most homeowners find useful.

• Safety switches and circuit breakers do different jobs

  A safety switch (RCD) protects people. It cuts the power in a fraction of a second if it detects electricity leaking, for example through a person. A circuit breaker protects the wiring from overload and short circuits. Many homes need both.

• Tripping is a symptom, not the problem

  When a safety device trips it's doing its job. If it keeps happening, something is causing it, and that cause is worth finding.

• Older switchboards and older homes

  Ceramic fuses, no safety switches and crowded boards are common in older homes. They can still work, but they weren't designed for modern appliances and may not give the protection we expect today.

• Whose problem is it: the network's or yours?

  Generally, the network operator looks after the poles and the lines up to your property's connection, and a licensed electrician looks after the wiring from there. If the neighbours have power and you don't, the cause is usually on your side.

• Why electrical work is for licensed electricians

  In Western Australia, electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. It's not only the law. Faulty electrical work can cause shocks and fires, and it can be hard to spot until something goes wrong.