Why Does My Power Keep Tripping? 5 Common Causes in Singapore Homes

Few things are more frustrating than the power cutting out in the middle of cooking dinner or on a hot night with the aircon running. A tripping circuit breaker or residual current device (RCCB) is doing its job: it switches off when it detects a fault, to protect you and your home. The question is what is causing it.

1. A faulty appliance

The most common cause is a single appliance with damaged wiring or a worn element. Kettles, water heaters, rice cookers and washing machines are frequent culprits. Try unplugging everything on the affected circuit, reset the breaker, then plug appliances back in one at a time. If the power trips when one item is connected, you have found the problem.

2. Moisture in a fitting

Singapore's humidity and heavy rain can let water into outdoor lights, bathroom fittings and power points near sinks. Moisture causes current to leak, which trips the RCCB. Trips that happen after rain or a shower are a strong clue.

3. Too many appliances on one circuit

Older flats were wired for fewer appliances than most homes use today. Running an oven, a kettle and an aircon unit on the same circuit can overload it. Dedicated circuits for high-power appliances solve this.

4. Worn or loose wiring

Sockets and switches that feel warm, crackle or show brown marks usually have loose connections. These can overheat, so stop using them and have them checked.

5. A failing breaker

Occasionally the breaker itself is worn and trips too easily. This should only be confirmed after the circuit has been tested.

What to do

Do not keep resetting a breaker that trips repeatedly. Switch off the affected circuit and get it tested. Our team traces the fault circuit by circuit, explains what we found and fixes it properly. See our electrical works page or WhatsApp us at +65 9898 3045 with a photo of your DB box.