I have lost power and lights and the RCD on my consumer unit won’t reset

Reading the next few lines might well save you the cost of calling out an electrician. An RCD unlike, a circuit breaker, detects very small electrical currents running down to earth. That could mean a faulty appliance or a wiring fault or worst still, but unlikely someone is getting an electric shock. If you can’t reset the RCD. Follow these steps below.

1. Turn off all the circuit breakers near to the RCD.
2. Unplug all the appliances in your property.
3. Try to reset your RCD; this may involve pushing it to the off position first.
4. Having reset the RCD, turn back on the circuit breakers one at a time. If the RCD trips when carrying out this process turn the circuit breaker off that caused the RCD to trip. Reinstate all the other circuit breakers. At this point you may need an electrician to identify the fault located on the one circuit breaker that remains off. However at least you have enough power and lighting not to have to call out an expensive out of hour’s electrician. You can now replug in your appliances.
5. If the RCD does not trip when you switch back on your circuit breakers it’s likely one of your appliances is causing the RCD to trip. In this instance start plugging in your appliances one at a time until the RCD trips. Assuming that this is the case you will need to unplug the appliance that caused the RCD to trip and get it tested. Then repeat the processes above to re-establish your lighting and power circuits.

NB. If you are not a trained electrician do not open any enclosures to try to find the faults yourself electricity is potentially very dangerous commodity. If in doubt call an NICEIC approved electrician such as Sky Electrical.

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