How to Safely Reset Your Home's Safety Switch: A Guide for Homeowners

As a homeowner, ensuring the safety of your household is a top priority. One vital component of your home's electrical system is the safety switch, designed to protect you and your family from electrical hazards. Knowing how to reset a safety switch is crucial in maintaining a safe and functional electrical setup in your home.

What is a Safety Switch?

Before delving into the reset process, it's essential to understand what a safety switch is and why it's crucial. A safety switch, also known as a residual current device (RCD), monitors the flow of electricity through a circuit. If it detects any irregularities, such as a leak of current, it automatically switches off the power to prevent electric shock or fires.

Signs Your Safety Switch Needs Resetting

• Power outage in specific areas of your home.

• Constant tripping of the safety switch.

• Appliances are not working despite being plugged in and turned on.

Step-by-Step Guide to Resetting Your Safety Switch:

• Identify the Faulty Circuit: Start by locating which circuit or circuits have caused the safety switch to trip. Check for any recently plugged-in devices or malfunctioning appliances (Toaster, kettle, washing machine, pumps ect.)

  
  
  
  

• Locate the Safety Switch: Safety switches are found in the main switchboard or subboard of your home. It's usually identified by a 'Test' button.

  
  

  

  

  
  

• The Safety Switch will be in the off position: If it is not in the 'Off' position, check for any other switchboards in the property to locate the RCD protecting the affected circuit.

  
  

  

  
  

• Reset the Safety Switch: Push the safety switch back to the 'On' position. It should now be reset and ready to restore power to the circuit.

  
  

  If the safety switch trips again, check that all powerpoints are off and all appliances are unplugged in the house. Don't forget to unplug the dishwasher, washing machines, TVs, hairdryers, and anything else plugged into external powerpoints or shed powerpoints.

  
  

  Go back to the switchboard and repeat the Reset the Safety Switch step.

  If the safety switch trips again, check that all light switches are off throughout the house. The RCD might protect power and lighting circuits; you may have a faulty light and will need to call your local electrician.

  
  

  Go back to the switchboard and repeat the Reset the Safety Switch step.

  
  

  If the safety switch trips again, Call your local electrician!

• Test the Circuit: To ensure the reset was successful, plug in a small appliance or turn on the lights in the affected area to check if the power has been restored.

Safety Tips:

• Unplug Appliances: Before resetting the safety switch, unplug all appliances from the affected circuit to prevent any potential damage.

• Seek Professional Help: If the safety switch continues to trip after multiple reset attempts, contact a licensed electrician to inspect your electrical system.

Regularly checking and testing your safety switch ensures that your electrical system remains safe and operational. By following these simple steps and safety precautions, you can confidently reset your home's safety switch whenever necessary.