How mismatched appliance specifications caused nuisance tripping—and how the right circuit upgrade fixed it for good.
The Call from a Local Charity
I often support a local Southampton charity with their electrical needs, especially during busy periods and weekends when they rely on everything running smoothly.
This time, they called about a frustrating problem — they kept losing power to the socket circuit, particularly when guests and family members were visiting. The trips weren’t constant; they happened only occasionally, making it a classic case of an intermittent circuit breaker trip.
Initial Investigation
Testing the Circuit
The affected circuit supplied 23 socket outlets in total — including sockets for fridges, freezers, and a cooker hood. In the utility area, I noticed two washing machines and two dryers connected to the same ring.
I carried out my standard fault-finding process:
Insulation resistance tests — All readings were good; no sign of damaged cable insulation
Ring continuity tests — Live, neutral, and earth readings were consistent with a healthy ring circuit
Visual inspection — No damage, scorching, or loose terminations
Everything appeared fine on paper, with no evidence of a cable fault.
Observation Before Action
Gathering More Information
Rather than making immediate changes, I asked the staff to keep a detailed log of exactly when the breaker tripped and what appliances were in use at the time.
A week later, their report revealed a clear pattern — trips happened when two or more laundry appliances were running, especially during heating cycles, and another high-wattage item, like a kettle, was switched on.
The Root Cause
A Load Capacity Mismatch
After reviewing the log, I checked the appliance specifications. That’s when I discovered all four laundry units were commercial-grade appliances, each requiring its own dedicated 16-amp circuit.
The original installation design had been perfectly fine for standard domestic appliances — but no one had planned for commercial machines to be installed later. When the heating elements kicked in alongside other high-wattage devices, the circuit was pushed beyond its limit, causing the intermittent trips.
The Solution
Upgrading the Circuit
Once we confirmed the cause, we agreed on the fix:
Installed two new RCBOs in the consumer unit
Ran new dedicated feeds to the isolation switches for the two washing machines and two dryers
Left the remaining sockets on the original ring circuit
Since the upgrade, the charity hasn’t reported a single nuisance trip.
The Result
The charity can now run both laundry and kitchen facilities simultaneously without disruption. This means residents, staff, and visitors enjoy uninterrupted services — even during peak times.
Your Local Maintenance Electrician – Keeping You Informed Every Step of the Way
As a maintenance electrician, I know that some problems can be fixed on the spot, while others need careful investigation to uncover what’s really going on. If you’re looking for a solution that’s thorough, not rushed, and an electrician who will keep you updated throughout the process, that’s exactly how I work.
Whether you manage a busy charity, run a small business, or just want peace of mind at home, I’m here to help keep your electrics safe, reliable, and ready for everyday life.
📞 023 8181 0636
