24 practical guides · written by Rudi
Electrical faults,
explained properly.
Useful answers for the moment when a socket dies, a breaker trips or something smells distinctly unfriendly. Learn what you can safely observe, when to stop and what an electrician tests next.
Start here
The protective device that gets blamed for its job
RCD tripping is one of the most common fault-finding calls. This guide explains leakage, appliances, moisture, shared circuits and why repeated resetting is not a repair.
Read the RCD tripping guide →Before you choose a guide
Observe safely. No dismantling.
These pages are educational. They help you describe symptoms and recognise danger signs. Do not remove covers, expose conductors or perform electrical testing unless you are suitably qualified and competent. For smoke or fire, get everyone out and call 999.
Choose the symptom
Find the guide that matches your symptom
Start with the symptom, not the component you think must be faulty. The pattern usually makes the better first question.
02–04
Sockets and circuit faults
3 guidesWhy Are the Sockets Not Working in One Room?
Sockets dead in one room? Learn the safest checks, what the pattern can reveal and when a loose connection or circuit fault needs an electrician.
Read guide →Why Won’t My Circuit Breaker Reset?
Circuit breaker will not reset? Understand why it may be refusing to stay on, the safe observations to make and when to stop immediately.
Read guide →Why Are Half the Sockets Not Working?
Some sockets work and others do not? Learn what the pattern suggests about spurs, loose connections and ring or radial circuit faults.
Read guide →05–07
Lighting circuit faults
3 guidesWhy Are the Lights Not Working on One Circuit?
One lighting circuit dead? Learn how the breaker, affected fittings and recent changes help separate a lamp failure from a wiring fault.
Read guide →Why Is One Light Not Working?
Only one light has failed? Compare a bad lamp, LED driver, switch, dimmer or local connection without unsafe electrical DIY.
Read guide →Breaker Is On but the Lights Are Not Working
Lighting breaker on but lights still dead? Learn why a lost live, neutral or junction can interrupt the circuit and what to do safely.
Read guide →08–10
Appliance and socket trips
3 guidesWhy Does an Appliance Keep Tripping the Breaker?
An appliance trips the breaker or RCD? Learn what timing reveals about plugs, flexes, heating elements, overload and earth leakage.
Read guide →Why Does One Socket Trip the Breaker?
One socket trips the breaker with different appliances? Learn how electricians separate the socket, spur and fixed wiring from the load.
Read guide →Why Does a Fused Spur Keep Blowing?
Fused spur fuse keeps blowing? Understand appliance overload, downstream cable faults and why repeated fuse replacement is unsafe.
Read guide →11–13
Partial power and voltage symptoms
3 guidesWhy Do I Have Partial Power in My House?
Partial power, weak sockets or dim lights can indicate a loose neutral or high-resistance connection. Learn when to isolate and call urgently.
Read guide →Why Do Lights Dim When an Appliance Turns On?
Lights dim when the kettle, shower or cooker starts? Learn the difference between a brief dip and signs of a dangerous loose connection.
Read guide →Why Am I Getting Strange Voltage at Sockets?
Low or unusual socket voltage can come from high-resistance connections, open neutrals or misleading test methods. Learn the safe response.
Read guide →14–16
Heat, smell and buzzing warnings
3 guidesBurning Smell From a Socket or Switch: What to Do
A burning electrical smell can indicate overheating or arcing. Learn how to isolate safely, when to call 999 and why the accessory must not be reused.
Read guide →Why Is My Consumer Unit Buzzing?
Consumer unit buzzing or crackling? Learn which sounds can indicate loose connections, arcing or a failing device and what not to touch.
Read guide →Why Does a Socket or Switch Feel Hot?
A hot socket, plug or switch can indicate overload, loose connections or worn contacts. Learn when to stop using it immediately.
Read guide →17–19
Outdoor, garden and outbuilding faults
3 guidesWhy Are My Outdoor Sockets Not Working?
Outdoor sockets dead after rain or gardening? Learn the safe checks and why water ingress, RCD trips and damaged cable need proper testing.
Read guide →Why Do Garden Lights Trip the RCD?
Garden lights trip the RCD, especially after rain? Learn how moisture, damaged cable and failed fittings are isolated safely.
Read guide →Why Is the Power Not Working in My Shed?
No power in a shed or garage? Learn how the house feed, isolator, RCD, local board and outdoor cable are checked methodically.
Read guide →20–21
Cooker and hob circuit faults
2 guidesWhy Does My Cooker Trip the RCD or Breaker?
Cooker trips when heating? Learn how oven elements, switches, outlets and circuit faults are separated without unsafe appliance DIY.
Read guide →Why Won’t My Electric Hob Turn On?
Electric or induction hob dead? Learn how lock settings, isolation, cooker switches, outlets and appliance faults are distinguished.
Read guide →22–23
Electric shower faults
2 guidesWhy Does My Electric Shower Trip the RCD?
Electric shower trips the RCD or breaker? Learn what heat selection, isolator temperature and water flow reveal—and when to stop.
Read guide →Why Is My Electric Shower Not Heating?
Electric shower runs cold or only lukewarm? Learn how flow, filters, heating cans, thermal cut-outs and circuit issues are diagnosed.
Read guide →24–24
Bathroom fan and lighting faults
1 guideHow the library works
Twenty-four guides, one method
Each guide follows the same professional logic: define the symptom, separate equipment from fixed wiring, identify urgent warning signs, test methodically and verify the repair.
- AObserve
What changed, what was running and which area is affected?
- BIsolate
Use normal controls only, and stop when danger signs appear.
- CMeasure
A qualified electrician uses appropriate dead and live tests.
- DRepair and verify
Correct the cause, then prove protection and operation.
Safety basis and further reading
The public-safety boundaries in these guides are aligned with current UK guidance from the Health and Safety Executive, IET consumer-unit and protective-device guidance, Electrical Safety First and NICEIC socket safety advice.