If you live in an HDB flat in Singapore, experiencing a power outage due to a tripped circuit breaker is not uncommon. Power outages can happen out of nowhere, and leave you baffled on who to call! To ensure you don’t have to experience this kind of headache, it’s important to understand the cause of a circuit breaker trip and know what to do.
This can help prevent further damage, keep your home safe, and save you a lot of time. This guide will walk you through what it means when a breaker trips, what you can do yourself, and when it’s time to call a professional.
What Happens When a Circuit Breaker Trips?
A circuit breaker is a safety feature built into your home’s electrical system. Its main function is to stop the flow of electricity if it senses a problem. In an HDB flat, it helps prevent hazards like electrical overloads, faults, or short circuits. When something goes wrong, the breaker automatically switches off, cutting off the power.
Inside your electrical panel, there are usually two types of breakers. Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) handle power for specific areas like the kitchen or living room. The Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB), on the other hand, safeguards the entire flat by detecting any dangerous electrical leakage. If your whole home suddenly loses power, it’s likely the RCCB that has tripped.
Common Reasons Why Circuit Breakers Trip in Singapore HDB
There are lots of factors that can cause a breaker to trip, but usually, the cause is due to overloading a power circuit. This can happen when too many high-power appliances, like kettles, air fryers, or washing machines, are used at the same time on the same circuit. When this happens, the breaker will shut down as a way to prevent any overheating that can cause fire hazards.
Another reason is a short circuit, which occurs when a wire carrying current touches another wire or surface it shouldn't. This can happen due to poor wiring, damaged plugs, or faulty appliances. A short circuit usually causes a breaker to trip immediately and repeatedly.
Appliances with internal faults can also cause circuit trips. For example, a water heater with a damaged heating element or a washing machine with a worn-out motor might cause the breaker to trip when used.
How to Fix a Circuit Breaker Trip?
If your breaker trips, the first thing you should do is stay calm. Begin by turning off and unplugging all appliances in the affected area. This helps reduce the load and prevents the breaker from tripping again as soon as you reset it. Make sure your hands are dry and you are standing on a dry surface before you approach the circuit breaker panel for safety.
Next, open the electrical panel and look for any breaker switches that are in the "off" or middle position. Flip them back to the “on” position. If the switch stays up and the power returns, the problem may have been a temporary overload.
You can try to plug in the appliaces one by one to check if there’s any electronic that cause the breaker to trip. If the breaker trips again immediately, or if the RCCB trips and cuts power to the entire flat, you should stop trying to reset it. This is the ultimate sign that there’s a serious problem, and you need to immediately call professional isntead of doing everything by yourself.
Beware! Continuing to reset the breaker by yourself might damage your appliances or even lead to an electrical fire!
When to Call an Electrician in Singapore?
If you’re unable to identify the cause of the trip, or if the breaker keeps tripping after resetting it, it’s time to call a licensed electrician. In Singapore building regulations, the ones who could handle electrical wiring and repairs, are only trained professionals. Thus, it’s important to call an expert electrician to handle frequent power trips in your home.
You should also call an electrician if you smell burning, see sparks, or hear buzzing sounds near outlets or the circuit board. These are signs of a potentially dangerous electrical fault and should never be ignored. Also, if you live in an older HDB flat with aging wiring, it’s a good idea to have your electrical system inspected, especially if trips happen frequently.
A professional electrician can use diagnostic tools to trace the root cause of the problem, whether it’s faulty wiring, a damaged outlet, or a malfunctioning appliance. They can also recommend long-term solutions, such as upgrading your circuit breaker panel or replacing worn wiring.
Who to Call for Fast and Reliable Help
In Singapore, finding a trustworthy electrician may seem overwhelming, especially during an unexpected blackout. That’s where services like Luce come in. At Luce, our team of trained and licensed electricians is ready to handle all types of electrical issues in HDB flats, condos, and landed homes.
We provide quick response times and clear explanations of what went wrong and how we’ll fix it. From circuit breaker trips to wiring repairs and appliance testing, we’ve got you covered with honest pricing and professional service!
With Luce, you’ll have peace of mind knowing a certified electrician is just a call away. Whether it’s a one-time emergency or regular maintenance, we’re here to help restore safety and comfort to your home.
