Frequent power dips and a breaker that trips by itself! The causes, plus 4 ways to check your home's electrics safely

Why does the power suddenly dip and the breaker keep tripping?

Many of us have been working or running the air-con when suddenly the power dips or the breaker trips for no apparent reason. It's not just annoying — it can be a warning sign of a danger in your home's electrical system. The main causes are usually overload, a short circuit, earth leakage, or even a consumer unit and breakers that have worn out with age.

4 steps to find out why the power dips and the breaker trips

Before you panic or rush to call an electrician, you can check the basic causes yourself with these safe steps:

• 1. Check whether appliances are running at the same time: notice whether the breaker trips when several high-power appliances are on together, such as the air-con, water heater and oven. If so, it's an overload — switch some appliances off and reset the breaker
• 2. Notice which breaker tripped: open the consumer unit. If a sub-breaker tripped, the problem is limited to that spot or zone. But if the main breaker or the earth-leakage protection (RCBO/RCD) tripped, it may be more serious leakage or a short circuit
• 3. Unplug one item at a time (isolation test): switch off the tripped sub-breaker, unplug all appliances in that zone, then switch the breaker back on and plug the appliances in one at a time. If the breaker trips as soon as you plug one in, that appliance has a short circuit or leakage
• 4. Check for burning smells and scorch marks: look at sockets, light switches and the breaker box for black soot, a burning smell or unusual heat

Precautions and danger signs that mean you need an electrician urgently!

Electricity is delicate and can be fatal. If you've unplugged everything and still can't switch the breaker back on, or you notice warning signs such as a burning smell, crackling sparks from the board, unusually hot sockets, or a breaker that trips every time you switch it on, never force the breaker up and hold it there. Switch off the main breaker to cut the power, then call a qualified electrician to inspect and fix it right away

How to prevent power dips and breaker trips in the long term

To prevent this annoying problem in the long run, plan clearly separated circuits in the house — for example, separate circuits for the air-con, water heater and general sockets. Use breakers and consumer units that meet TIS standards. If your area often gets power dips from the grid, installing an automatic voltage stabiliser or a UPS for important equipment will protect your appliances from damage.