trip switch on or off

Call us now

5 Common Reasons For A Safety Trip Switch Going Off

Posted on December 5, 2019

As technology progresses, so do the amount of personal appliances that we have within our houses. For example, if you closely look around your home, you will notice that you have a lot more home appliances now than what you used to have a 5 years ago. From  The Local Electrician’s  professional experience, we are going to take a punt that you also haven’t made any changes to your fuse box to ensure that it can handle this increased capacity. As a result of this increased capacity, the  trip switch  will go off and may cause a blown fuse. But what really causes this.

Trip switches are typically caused by faulty household appliances that are leaking extra electrical current. This is what trips a safety switch as it has picked up this extra electrical flow. To detect which one of your appliances is causing the trip switch, disconnect all your appliances, reset your safety switch and reset each appliance one by one.

What Trips My Safety Switch?

Before we go into the causes, it is important to keep in mind that a trip switch is a safety measure that is protecting you and your family. So, when your trip switch goes off, you will need to immediately determine what has caused it to. If there is a serious electrical hazard or a damaged   safety switch   due to a blown fuse, you should contact a local  emergency electrician   within your area.

1. Faulty Electrical Appliances

Damaged, old or faulty electrical appliances can be leaking extra electrical currents. To deal with this excess flow, the trip switch goes off. In case you suspect that this may be the problem, the first thing that you should do is to unplug all your appliances and then reset the switch. As soon as you do this, you should reconnect each appliance one at a time to try to find out the one that is causing the problems. From our daily encounters, the most common culprits for trip switches include: toasters, kettles, dishwashers, washing machines and the biggest of them all – fridges. A tip is to turn on a radio to a loud station, and then periodically work through your appliances to determine which one is faulty

Please be aware, that some of the more modern safety switches only trip to a medium position and need to be turned all the way to ‘off’ for them to be reset.

2. Damaged Wiring

It is natural that electrical wiring as well as its insulation will eventually become worn out and damaged over time. Again, the main purpose for the trip switch to go off is to protect you.

In this case, we strongly advise you to call an emergency electrician since these issues can potentially cause serious harm to you and your family if left unattended.

3. Poor Weather

If your area was recently affected by lightning and heavy rain, this may be the reason as to why your trip switch has been triggered. In the case of a storm, you will need to wait until it passes and then reset it. If there is heavy rain, in some instances, you may need to wait for the power points and terminals to be dry as it would be extremely dangerous to reset the fuse box in wet conditions.

4. Nuisance Tripping

As we have already mentioned, we have a lot more electrical appliances at home than what we used to have. The build-up of these home appliances will eventually cause repeated safety switch trips and overload the circuit. This can even create a fuse to blow and potential short-circuiting.

When you have too many electrical appliances running, you will most likely be nearing your limit. And it only takes one of those appliances to offload a little extra current to make your trip switch go off. One of the things that you should consider doing is disconnecting and possibly removing some of the appliances that you don’t need. This should prevent further trip switches from going off. If you have already reset the safety switch and it flips again. Then remove the last appliance that you have recently used by disconnecting it from the powerpoint as it may be the cause.

However, in case this doesn’t stop it, you should call an emergency electrician so they can take a look and discover where the problem is. You may potentially need a  Electrical Switchboard  and fuse box upgrade to resolve this problem

5. Defective Switches

Another reason that can lead to a trip switch  going off is a defective safety switch. This occurs when the worn out or broken switch doesn’t go off as it should to protect you because of a serious electrical fault. It is important that you regularly check your switches to ensure that they are working well. If you believe that this is the case for your fuse box, then this will immediately need to be replaced by an emergency electrician.

How Often Should I Test My Safety Switch

You should test your safety switch at minimum of once every 3-6 months.

How Do I Locate My Safety Switch & Switchboard?

To locate and reset your safety switch, first unplug all appliances and simply go to your main switchboard and look for the electrical component that says ‘main switch’. If you already have had a trip switch, simply flick your switch from “off” to “on”. You can plug your appliances one by one to see which one is faulty.

If you are living in an apartment complex, it is highly likely that you switchboard will be locked. If you are leasing and do not have keys to your switchboard, your real estate agent will be able to provide you with one. Alternatively, you can reach out to your neighbours and ask for permission to borrow their keys.

How Do I Test my Safety Switch?

Follow this step-by-step checklist, the next time you wish to test your safety switches

• Ensure everyone in your home knows you are testing your safety switches
• Go to your switchboard
• Identify your safety switches and press the “t or test button”
• This will automatically trip the switch to the off position and you will hear a crunching sound
• Check to see if all your appliances are turned off
• If all appliances are turned off, reset your safety switch by flicking the button to on position  and see if it stays there
• If during the test your switch did not turn off the power or make a crunching sound this is a sign to replace your switch and you will need to contact an electrician
• Consider installing circuit breaker or RCD switches on each circuit to prevent future trip switches.

Sydney Safety Switch Electricians

If you are within Sydney and have repeated trip switch or have a damaged safety switch due to a blown fuse… Then  contact  The Local Electrician today . We are a team of 24 hr emergency electricians that have been serving every Sydney suburb for over 25 years with switchboard upgrades and other trip switch issues!

We are also a team of fully vetted and accredited level 2 electricians which enables us to directly access Ausgrid and Endeavour Australia’s power lines. A  Level 2 electrician  is required when you receive an  electrical defect notice  due to your electricity not meeting the minimum safety standards for serious electrical issues. A blown fuse is not one of these.

Contact us today on  0439 823 190   or alternatively you can  email us  for immediate  trip switch  assistance. We guarantee on-time service, otherwise we will work for free. We also offer a free safety inspection on all jobs!

Our Services

Our skilled electricians are qualified to carry out any electrical repair or installation within Sydney. We strive to deliver absolute customer satisfaction by offering electrical services that are affordable, safe and long lasting.

Level 2 Electrician

Emergency Electrician

Commercial Electrician

Domestic Electrician

Electrical Switchboard

Electrical Repairs

Ceiling Fan Installations

Light Installation

Lifetime warranty on workmanship and labor.

• Latest Posts

• Private Power Pole Installation: What Sydney Homeowners Need To Know - November 29, 2023
• Understanding Power Outages: When To Call a Level 2 Electrician - November 14, 2023
• Understanding Level 2 Electrical Needs: FAQs for Sydney Homeowners - October 7, 2023

Request a Call Back

Fill-in your details below and we will get back to you within 30 minutes or less!

Our Level 2 Local Electrical Services

• Electrical Defect Notice
• Consumer Mains
• Point of Attachment
• Overhead & Underground Power
• Private Power Pole

An electrician’s guide on how to fix a tripped fuse

Any kind of major electrical fault around the house will need to be repaired by a professional electrician. However, that said, there are a few everyday electrical tasks that aren’t complicated, or dangerous, which you could attempt yourself. The most important thing to remember is to switch off and unplug whatever it is you need to work on so there’s no danger of a live current.

The first thing to do is find your main fuse box (these days called a consumer unit), which will be in the same place as your electricity meter. They’re often in the main hallway of a house, in a purpose-built cupboard. This is where the electricity in your house is controlled from, and it’s important that you know where to go and what to do if you need to turn off the mains electricity. It’s also helpful to remember where you left a torch too!

In the case of loss of electric light or power

Your fuse box, or consumer unit, will either have fuses or trip switches. Modern electric circuits are fitted with a circuit breaker fuse system; if a fault develops, a switch is tripped and the circuit is broken. Older ones have fuse holders and when a fuse is blown it must be replaced or rewired.

If you experience problems with an old-fashioned fuse box, it might be sensible to install a replacement which conforms to current regulations for ease, safety and peace of mind. If you need assistance with any kind of electrical installation we would recommend calling out a qualified electrician .

Setting a trip switch Open the cover on the consumer unit to see which switches have tripped to the OFF position. Put them back to the ON position. If tripping occurs again, it is probably being caused by a faulty appliance. You need to identify which circuit is affected and which appliance on that circuit is causing the problem.

Which appliance is faulty?

Go around the house noting which set of lights or sockets are not working. Unplug all appliances on that problem circuit and switch off any immersion heaters (if you have one). Switch the tripped switch to the ON position and plug in the appliances one by one until the trip goes again. Leave that appliance unplugged, and have it repaired by a qualified electrician.

What causes it to trip or blow a fuse?

• An overloaded circuit
• Too many appliances being used at the same time
• A faulty or misused appliance
• Overfilled kettles
• Unclean toasters
• Cooker rings worn out or cracked
• Faulty immersion heaters
• Faulty connections on leads to appliances e.g. televisions or stereos etc.
• Light bulbs blowing

Most plugs will have a fuse inside them. If the appliance suddenly stops working, it is worth replacing the fuse inside the plug before calling an electrician.

To find out the correct type of fuse to fit in the plug, check the rating plate on the appliance. Do not overload plug sockets by using multiple plug adaptors.

Replacing the plug on an appliance is fairly straightforward, and is well worth doing before you declare your electrical appliance broken.

• Do not tamper with the electricity company’s fuse and seals
• Do not take any action unless you are confident you can do it safely and legally

Was this article helpful?

Think we could improve this article? Please let us know

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Book a qualified electrician

Our electricians are on call for domestic and commercial work.

• Fixed-price quotes available
• Trade accredited experts
• Half-hour rates from £47.50 + VAT
• 5% off labour when you book online

More about our electrical services

Our electricians can be booked for a wide range of tasks. Read more about the range of services we provide here: –

• Electrical safety tests (EICR) ; all our electricians are qualified to inspect and test any type of electrical installations and issue the appropriate safety certificates
• Electrical repairs and fault finding ; we can usually schedule an electrician to visit the same day a booking is made and begin carrying out the electrical repairs you need straightaway
• Electrical installations and rewiring ; our NICEIC enrolment allows us to self-certify our electrical installation work so you can be sure it complies with UK Building Regulations
• PAT – Portable Appliance Testing ; regular testing is generally regarded as the best way of showing that maintenance and safety checks have been carried out correctly
• Emergency electricians on call ; our emergency response team is on call for large scale incident response as well as single property faults

Other articles you might like

The 10 most common roofing problems.

Without a regular inspection, your roof could suffer from a wide range of unseen and undiagnosed issues. In this article, we outline the ten most common faults that our experts find during roofing survey inspections... Common roofing problems

What is an F22 fault code on a Vaillant boiler?

Modern boilers display error codes when there's a fault. The F22 code is the most searched for online, which appears on Vaillant boilers. Learn what this code means and what you can do to resolve the problem... The code for low boiler pressure

10% off our hourly rates when you book online .

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website and for the purposes illustrated in our Cookie Policy

Okay, got it

What are trip switches and where can I find them?

Trip switches work as an electrical device in your home or property. You can find your trip switches on your consumer unit (sometimes called fuse box). They are usually in the garage, hallway, kitchen, utility room, lavatory or under the stairs.

Some homes, (generally those with older wiring) will have rewireable fuses instead of trip switches. If there is a fault with your wiring or one of your electrical appliances, trip switches will turn off the power to the circuit the fault is on. It will remain off until the fault is fixed, although once a faulty appliance is unplugged, you can try switching the trip switches back on. 

Watch our video for more information. 

Where to find your trip switches

Trip switches are normally located near the electricity meter

Trip switches will operate when there is a fault on the internal circuit

You may also be interested in:

• Need to pay electricity bills or replace lost meter keys
• What is 105?
• Power cut help and advice
• I don't have electricity, is there a problem with my electricity meter?
• Why is your telephone number on my bill?

Free to call from a mobile or landline phones. Lines are open 24 hours a day.

Find a local trusted trader

Search by trader name

What To Do If: Your Fuse Keeps Tripping

Electricity is one of the basic essentials in our homes, coming before almost anything else. If a fuse goes, it can be frustrating, but it helps to know what to do and when to call an electrician.

Causes of tripped or blown fuses

Finding out the cause of a tripped or blown fuse usually involves a process of elimination and a little patience. Most common causes are:

• Too many appliances plugged in
• A faulty appliance
• An appliance that is not maintained or is used inappropriately (e.g. overfilled kettle)
• Faulty immersion heaters
• Blown lightbulb
• Worn cooker rings.

If a fuse goes…

If a fuse goes, head straight to your fuse box, which is near your meter. Hopefully, you will know where it is and how to access it already. Your fuse box will have either fuses or trip switches. If a fuse “blows” then you will have to replace it in order to regain power. Trip switches are a more modern alternative to fuses. Rather than the fuse physically breaking, the switch is tripped and the power circuit goes from “on” to “off”.

Reset the trip switch

If a trip switch has gone, you should easily be able to see which one is the problem as the lever will be in the down position (usually showing “off” in red). Simply push the switch back up, to show “on” in green. If the switch flips down immediately, that is a sign that you have a faulty appliance plugged in somewhere. This is where the fun starts!

Finding a faulty appliance

It is most likely that only one circuit has tripped.

• Make a note of the appliances that aren’t working and unplug each one. If you have an immersion heater, switch it off.
• Once everything is unplugged, flip the trip switch to ON. It should stay on this time.
• Now go around the house and plug in each item that you have unplugged.
• Keep plugging appliances in until the fuse trips again; you have identified your culprit!
• Keep the faulty appliance unplugged (you can switch the trip back on now) and take it to a nearby electrical specialist for repair.

If the faulty item has a plug, it is worth changing the fuse in the plug before you take the appliance to be repaired. Replacing a fuse is not dissimilar to changing a battery. Unscrew the cover and look at the fuse in the plug already, or check the rating on the plug to find out what fuse you need. Once you know what fuse to use, it is a case of removing the old fuse, and popping a new one in.

While it is fine to attempt to do a range of home repairs yourself, when it comes to electrical faults, it is best left to the professionals. If you need to find an electrician, check out Trust A Trader’s directory of local trusted electricians . For more tips and advice, follow us on Facebook or Twitter .

Was this useful?

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter

What to do if your fuse box trips

• 05th Jul 2022

31st July 2019

05th July 2022

Has your fuse box tripped? This could be happening for several reasons but usually, there’s an easy fix. Through a process of elimination, you will be able to work out what’s causing the problem and reset the trip switch yourself.

Don’t be left in the dark! Learn the simple steps below and you’ll never be stuck searching for candles when the lights go out again. Our quick guide will equip you with the knowledge you need to fix your fuse box in seconds.

However, please remember that while it is perfectly safe to touch your fuse box, faulty electrics are very dangerous. If you are not confident in your ability to carry out electrical tasks, always seek the help of a qualified electrician.

How does a fuse work?

Before we explain what to do if your  fuse box  trips, let’s quickly go over the purpose of a fuse. We’re sure you already know but a refresher never hurts right?

Fuses are important components, used in electric circuits as a safety measure. If there is a fault in the electrics or excessive current flow, the fuse will heat up and melt. This will break the circuit, ensuring both you and those living in your home remain safe.

Although some older properties still have traditional fuse boxes with fuse wire, today you’re more likely to have a modern fuse box installed. This will contain trip switches or circuit breakers. The advantage of having a modern fuse box is that you will not have to replace the fuse wire, every time it blows. If your fuse box trips, it’s a matter of flicking a fuse switch to reset it, which is far more convenient.

Locating your fuse box

It’s important to know where your fuse box is located, as you never know when you may need to turn the electricity off in an emergency. It should be installed in an easily accessible place so that you can locate it, even if the lights go out.

Your fuse box will contain three types of components:

• The main switch – Turns off the electricity supply to your home. Useful in an emergency.
• Fuse switches (or circuit breakers) – Switches that trip to protect the appliances in your home, if there’s a fault in the circuit. They provide more accurate protection than traditional wire fuses.
• RCDs (Residual Current Devices) – Switches that will trip and turn off the electricity if the circuit they manage is considered dangerous. They are designed to prevent electrical fires and electrocution.

Dealing with a tripped fuse switch

If your appliances have stopped working or your lights have gone out all of a sudden, you’ve likely  tripped a fuse switch . To resolve the problem, you’ll need to locate the main fuse box in your home and check to see if all of the trip switches are on.

Not sure whether ‘on’ means fuse box switches up or down? See if the majority are up or down and you’ll have your answer. It’s most likely to be the up position for ‘on’ and the down position if they’ve tripped.

If any switches are down, move them back into the up position to turn them back on. If it doesn’t appear to be an electric trip switch that has moved, it’s probably one of your RCD switches. Make sure they’re turned on too. Once this is done, everything should be back in working order.

Just to recap:

• Locate your fuse box and lift the cover
• See if all of the trip switches are on
• Switch any on that have tripped
• Check the RCD switches are on too

All-inclusive cover plans

Enjoy peace of mind with our comprehensive boiler, heating and home cover plans

Why has my fuse box tripped?

If you’re lucky, your electric fuse box will have little labels under each switch telling you which circuit they manage e.g. lights, shower, sockets. This makes it much easier to identify where the problem is located and will save you having to turn off every light and unplug every device in your home to work out what’s tripping.

As a rule of thumb, the last appliance or light fixture you used is likely to be the cause. Trip switches are very sensitive so as soon as there’s an issue, they’ll kick into action.

If your box isn’t labelled or you can’t narrow down the problem, the only solution is to unplug every device in your home, reset the switch and plug them back in one at a time. It’s time-consuming but should find the root of your problem.

Overloading circuits

If all of your appliances are in good working order, they’re unlikely to affect your trip switch. Instead, it could be down to you overloading your circuits. By this we mean, using too many electrical appliances at one time. If you’re boiling your kettle, using your toaster, charging your phone, watching TV and running your dishwasher all on one circuit, you could be overloading it, resulting in your electricity not working the way it should.

Your electric fuse box won’t like you overloading your circuits, as it’s potentially dangerous. Stop it tripping by checking you don’t have too many appliances plugged into the same socket.

Why won’t the trip switch reset?

If you have attempted to reset your fuse switch but it keeps tripping, it’s likely there’s a problem with one of your appliances or sockets. To determine this:

• Unplug all of your appliances and try resetting the fuse switch.
• Once reset, plug your appliances back in one at a time and switch them back on.
• If the switch trips again, you’ll know it’s the last appliance that you plugged in and switched on.
• Turn off and unplug the appliance, before resetting the switch.
• Do not attempt to plug the appliance back in – it’s likely there’s a fault with its wiring that will need replacing.

You don’t necessarily need to throw the appliance away – the issue could be easy to fix. However, faulty appliances can be dangerous, so it’s best to get in contact with an experienced electrician.

Why has the main fuse tripped again?

Although there’s usually a simple explanation of why your circuit breakers or RCDs are tripping, if it’s the main switch, it can be a little more complex. It could mean there’s a problem with the fuse box itself. If this is the case, you’ll need assistance from a qualified electrician. We do not recommend tampering with your fuse box yourself.

Get assistance quickly and avoid expensive call-out charges by taking out a home cover policy for your fuse box.

Rather leave it to the experts?

Fuse box tripped and unsure how to fix it? You’ll greatly benefit from taking out comprehensive home cover. Hometree offer  home care plans  you can trust, with quick and convenient call-outs and a 24/7 UK helpline. What’s more, we don’t put caps on claims and if you don’t claim, your price will always stay the same!

Home electrics cover

Tired of blown fuses and tripping fuse boxes? Enjoy peace of mind with our comprehensive home cover plans.

You may also like

How to repair a fuse in a fuse box, what is combi boiler cover.

We Beat or Match Any Quote

Call 0330 912 4843 and we’ll beat or match any quote.

Serious About Service

24/7 claims support & rated Excellent on Trustpilot

Cover Match Guarantee

Get a £50 gift card if you find something we don’t cover

All Gas Boilers Covered

All makes and models, regardless of age

Privacy Overview

What to do if your electricity trips

Putting the electricity back on when it has ‘tripped’ off

Modern electric circuits are fitted with circuit breakers called trip switches. If there is a problem with the electrics in your home, a switch will trip off and break the electricity supply to that circuit. If your lights or power go off, it means your trip switches are working properly. You will find the trip switches at the consumer unit (or fuse box). The consumer unit is usually next to the electricity meter or near your front or back door. Some consumer units have buttons rather than switches.

Please note:

• Make sure your hands are dry when you touch electrical fittings.
• If there is a problem with one of your electrical appliances, leave it unplugged and get a qualified electrician or service engineer to check it.
• If there is a problem with a light, keep it switched off (put some tape over the switch) and contact us immediately.

Some of the most common reasons which might cause a trip switch to operate:

• There are too many fittings or appliances on a circuit and it has been overloaded
• An appliance is faulty or has not been used correctly, for example a kettle has been overfilled or a toaster not cleaned of crumbs
• A power lead to an appliance, such as a TV or hair drier, is damaged, loose or badly connected
• Water has leaked into a circuit or spilt onto a plug
• A light bulb has blown
• There is a problem with your immersion heater.

To reset a trip switch:

• Open the cover on the consumer unit so you can get to the trip switches or buttons.
• Check which switches or buttons have tripped to the OFF position and which rooms have been affected.
• Switch off all the lights and appliances on the circuit.
• Put the trip switch or buttons back to the ON position.

If the trip goes again, it is probably because one of your appliances is faulty. You need to find out which circuit is being affected and which appliance on that circuit is causing the problem:

• Unplug all appliances on the problem circuit, and switch off the immersion heater.
• Switch the ‘tripped’ switch to the ON position (if it is a button, press it in).
• Plug on the appliances one at a time until the trip goes again. The last one you plugged in will be the faulty appliance. Do not use adaptors when testing appliances.
• Do not carry on resetting the trip switch if it keeps tripping off. Please contact us .

What to do in an emergency

How to deal with blockages.

It always seems to happen when you least expect it. You are in a rush to get ready for work, almost in a frenzy, ironing your shirt while some snacks are warming up in the microwave, and you hear the unmistakable click of the safety switch going off.

The TV screen goes blank, the phone on the charging dock flashes, the microwave shuts down, and the lights go out. You pause as if suspended in space, unsure of what to do next. Something has tripped the safety switch, and you’re not sure what to do next.

Why your safety switch might trip

Your electrical safety switch may trip when it detects a change in the flow of electricity through the circuitry in your home. This change may come about as a result of one or several of the following:

• Faulty appliances
• Water seeping into the circuit, causing short-circuiting
• An overload on power sockets or boards
• Faults in your home wiring

What to do when the safety switch trips

Safety switches come in handy for your electrical safety. They ensure an instant cut-off mechanism as soon as they detect an electrical fault in your home. Without these switches, you would never know what hit you because you may suffer electric shocks and burns every time you use an appliance with an electrical fault.

Be greatful when the safety switch trips, though it can be such a nuisance when it happens frequently. Here is what to do when the switch flips, cutting off power in your home.

1. Flick the switch back on

Well, the first thing to do when the safety switch trips is to locate it and flip it back to the ON position. Where is this switch? Most safety switches are placed beside their circuit breakers or fuse box located commonly on the side of your house or in the garage. You can identify them by locating the TEST button. Some are part of the circuit breaker to make the most out of the switchboard. They may even be identical to circuit breakers, but you can identify them easily by keeping an eye out for the TEST button.

The affected safety switch will be in the OFF position, also known as the 0 position. Flip it right back to the ON position. But these switches are a little stiffer than other switches you have experienced, so you may need to apply a little more pressure. But if no switch is at the 0 position, you have a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse.

2. Unplug all appliances and plug them in one after the other

If flipping the tripped switch back to ON position doesn’t reset anything, and the switch trips again almost immediately, one or more of your electrical appliances could be the culprit. So, how do you single out the culprit?

Assuming you had already switched off all your appliances before visiting the tripped switch, proceed to unplug them from the power outlet, one after the other. Flip the switch back to ON, and see what happens. Give it some time to know whether it would trip again. Then plug in your electrical appliances one at a time. You will most likely catch the culprit because as soon as you plug it and or turn it on, the safety switch will trip once again. Unplug the device and continue with the process until you have exhausted all the electrical appliances in your home.

What if all the appliances are healthy, and don’t trip the switch when you connect them back? Something else could be the matter. You could be facing faulty wiring, overloaded power sockets, or water seeping into the wiring and creating short-circuits. Since you know very little about wiring, you will need to call in a licensed electrician.

3. Call a licensed electrician

It wouldn’t do for you to go meddling with the electric wiring of your home. You could aggravate the problem, and even cause an electric fire when you flip the safety switch back to ON position. Dealing with household electricity requires a professional electrical license.

An expert electrician will check your home wiring for shorts, and proceed to fix them should they find any. Electricians always have the right tools and knowledge for the job, so you won’t have to worry about things going wrong.

The electrician will also be in a position to determine whether your electrical problems are something other than the safety switch tripping. You could be having a blown fuse or circuit breaker, which a professional electrician will be able to rectify.

4. Replace faulty appliances

If faulty appliances are causing your safety switch to trip and become a nuisance, you would need to replace them. Of course, it isn’t an easy decision to write off that LED TV that cost you a fortune to purchase and fix on your wall. There is always the option to have the faulty appliance checked and repaired, or it may even still be within the warranty period.

Sometimes, one faulty appliance may not leak enough electricity to trip the safety switch. The amount of energy loss required to trip the switch is about 30 milliamps. Your fridge, DVD player, kettle, aircon, and dryer, may combine their faults to up to 30 milliamps, causing the switch to flip. This is why the safety switch trips frequently, leaving you fuming but helpless. An expert electrician is all you need.

5. Remove any overloaded power points

Once you have identified – with the help of an electrician – the power points experiencing an overload, make sure you don’t reconnect them back after flipping the safety switch back on. The professional electrician will also help determine if there is a need to break the circuit into 2 or 3 sections to address the issue of the overload.

If the safety switch trips, you should be happy because it has saved you potential electrocution or fires. But you should be sure to learn how to reset your safety switch by flipping it back to the ON position and getting a professional electrician to identify and solve the causes of the tripping. If you are looking for an experienced electrician for all your electrical needs, please contact us.

(912) 602-3068 | Need Power? Call Clocktower!

(912) 602-3068

How to Fix a Tripped Circuit Breaker That Won’t Reset

• March 26, 2024
• Electrical Tips

Have you ever had a circuit breaker trip and found that it won’t reset? It’s a common problem, and one that can be frustrating when you’re not sure what to do.

The most common reasons for a circuit breakers that won’t reset are:

• Damaged breakers
• Electrical shorts
• Loose wiring
• Damaged insulation

In this post, we’ll walk you through how to check for each of these common reasons, and discuss how to fix them.

Why circuit breakers trip

A circuit breaker is a safety device in your home designed to stop the flow of electricity if there’s an overload, which can help prevent fires. When the current flowing through the circuit breaker becomes too much for it to handle, it “trips” and shuts off the power to prevent a fire from starting.

Most of the time, resetting a tripped circuit breaker is a simple matter of flipping the switch back to the “on” position. However, sometimes the breaker won’t reset no matter how many times you flip it.

First, try to reset the tripped circuit breaker

First, we should perform a basic test to make sure the breaker is actually malfunctioning. If you haven’t already tried manually resetting the circuit breaker, this is the place to start.

Locate your circuit breaker box and open the cover. Once you’ve located the tripped breaker, flip it to the “Off” position. Then, flip it back to the “On” position. You should hear a click as the breaker resets. If the breaker trips again, or simply won’t reset, there may be a problem with your wiring.

How to fix a tripping circuit breaker

Check to see if the circuit breaker is damaged.

If the circuit breaker trips and won’t reset, the first thing you should do is check to see if the switch is damaged. Circuit breakers are designed to trip when they become overloaded, which means they’re also designed to be flipped back on when the overload is resolved. However, if the switch itself is damaged or the electrical panel is outdated , it may not reset properly.

To check for damage, first make sure that there’s no power going to the breaker box by flipping all the switches to the “off” position. Then open up the panel and visually inspect the faulty breaker for any signs of burned or blackened areas. If you see any charring or burning around the switch, it’s likely time to replace it.

In some cases, you may be able to reset a damaged breaker by gently bending the switch back into place. However, this is only a temporary fix and the breaker will eventually need to be replaced.

We recommend that if you see any damage, it’s best to replace the entire circuit breaker rather than just the switch.

Check to see if there’s an electrical short

Another reason why your circuit breaker won’t reset after tripping is because there’s an electrical short somewhere in your home. An electrical short occurs when there’s too much current flowing through a wire, causing it to overheat and potentially start a fire.

To figure out if there’s an electrical short, the first thing you should do is turn off all of the switches in your breaker box. Once everything is off, go around your home and look for any signs of an electrical fire, such as burning smells or smoke. If you see or smell anything suspicious, call a licensed electrician right away.

If you don’t see any signs of a fire, the next step is to identify which circuit is causing the problem. Start by flipping on one switch at a time and seeing if the breaker trips. If it does, leave that switch off and move on to the next one. Repeat this process until you’ve found the problem circuit.

Once you’ve identified the problem circuit, the next step is to figure out where the electrical short is located. The easiest way to do this is to start at the breaker box and work your way down the circuit until you find the problem.

If you’ve followed these steps and you believe there may be an electrical short, it’s important to call an electrician right away. They’ll be able to locate the source of the problem and fix it before it causes any further damage.

Check for loose wiring

Another common reason for a circuit breaker to trip is because of loose wiring. Over time, wires can loosen and become frayed, which can cause them to short circuit.

The best way to check for loose wiring is to listen to your devices and appliances for the sound of buzzing or crackling. One common culprit is buzzing light switches or outlets. If you don’t find a faulty appliance, note that this can also be true around the breaker.

If you hear these noises and suspect that your circuit breaker is tripping because of loose wiring, the best thing to do is call an electrician as soon as possible. Trying to fix the problem yourself could result in injury or even death.

An electrician will be able to quickly diagnose the problem and make the necessary repairs. In most cases, they’ll also be able to prevent the problem from happening again in the future.

Look for signs of corrosion

Another common reason for a circuit breaker to trip is corrosion. This is especially true if you notice any moisture or wetness in the electrical panel . Corrosion can cause the metal parts of the breaker to break down, which in turn can cause a short circuit.

Corrosion usually appears in the form of a white, chalky substance building up around screw terminals. Look for signs of corrosion, rust, or moisture around the circuit breaker.

If you suspect that corrosion is the culprit, call an electrician to have a look at the problem. Trying to clean or repair the corrosion yourself could result in serious injury.

Check for damaged insulation

Sometimes circuit breakers will have insulation around them to stop cold air from entering through the box itself. Damaged insulation is another common cause of tripped circuit breakers. If you have insulation around the box, inspect it to see if it looks damaged.

If the insulation around your electrical wiring is damaged, it could cause a short circuit. Once again, if you suspect that this is the problem, call an electrician rather than trying to repair the problem yourself.

Is it dangerous if a circuit breaker keeps tripping?

We are often asked if tripping circuit breakers are dangerous. If your circuit breaker keeps tripping, it could be a sign of an electrical problem in your home, up to and including serious fire risks. While it’s not necessarily dangerous if your circuit breaker trips occasionally, if it happens frequently, it should be fixed right away.

If your circuit breaker trips and won’t reset, don’t panic! Many times the problem is something minor that you can easily fix yourself. However, if you’re unsure of what to do or think the problem may be something more serious, always err on the side of caution and call an electrician . Trying to fix the problem yourself could result in serious injury or even death.

Resetting a tripped circuit breaker is a relatively simple process that most people can do on their own. However, if the breaker trips repeatedly or if you have any questions about your electrical system, it’s always best to contact a professional electrician for assistance.

If you have any questions about resetting your circuit breaker or if you need assistance from a professional, don’t hesitate to contact us . We’re here to help!

Latest Articles

Average Electrician Cost to Install an EV Charger

Light Switch Buzzing: Causes, Dangers, and Fixes

How Many Things Can I Plug Into One Outlet Safely?

Commercial Outlet Vs Residential Outlets: Which is Right for You?

Are Ungrounded Outlets Dangerous? Understanding the risks

Why is My Outlet Smoking? Potential causes and how to fix them

Copyright © 2023 Clocktower Electric, LLC. All rights reserved. St. Simon’s Island, GA 31522

Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map

• Actuators and motion control
• Backup power, UPS, surge & IT power distribution
• Clutches and brakes
• Conduit, cable & wire management
• Differentials
• Ducting solutions
• Electrical circuit protection
• Electric vehicles and EV charging
• Electronic components
• Energy storage systems
• Engine solutions
• Filtration solutions
• Fuel systems, emissions and components
• Hose, tubing, fittings and connectors
• Hydraulic motors and generators
• Hydraulic power packs and accumulators
• Industrial controls, drives, automation and sensors
• Life support systems
• Lighting and controls
• Low-voltage power distribution & control systems
• Medium-voltage power distribution & control systems
• Process safety, automation, test and measurement
• Residential
• Safety, security & emergency communications
• Server racks, enclosures & thermal management
• Support systems
• Transmissions
• Utility & grid solutions
• Wiring devices & connectivity
• Brightlayer Experience Hub
• Discover Brightlayer
• Explore our digital catalog
• For developers
• Understanding Industry 4.0
• Data centers
• Eaton Experience Centers
• Food and beverage
• Government and military
• Machine building
• Mining, metals and minerals
• Oil and gas

• News & insights
• Investor relations
• Research & development
• Corporate governance
• Sustainability
• Inclusion & diversity
• Ethics & compliance
• Partnering with Eaton
• Selling to Eaton

Shunt trip safety switches

Eaton's shunt trip safety switches, a market exclusive, provide remote switching and visible means of disconnect for commercial and industrial applications. In addition, the shunt trip technology enhances safety by providing a means to open a safety switch electronically. This product line provides additional code compliant solutions with optional protection schemes including arc energy reduction (NEC 240.67) and ground fault (including 480 VAC and 1200 A service entrance applications).

• Locate a distributor
• Contact us for custom products

Photo is representative

Core features

• Standard heavy-duty safety switch design with integrated shunt trip module
• Integral arc energy reduction system available (NEC 240.67)
• Integral ground fault protection available for 480 VAC service entrance applications (NEC 230.95)
• Works with emergency stop pushbuttons and other remote signaling means to quickly disconnect power from equipment
• Provides a safety switch solution for oil and gas, industrial plants, utilities, commercial construction and water and wastewater treatment applications
• Includes two-, three- and four-pole configurations for maximum system voltages of 600 VAC with fusible and non-fusible protection options
• Meets Underwriters Laboratories (UL) standards and is listed to the UL98 standard
• Provides a variety of coil voltages, visible means of disconnect, and a standard heavy duty safety switch with integrated shunt trip module
• Passes Class 1 ground fault testing (1200% opening)

View design guide (layouts, technical data and application information)

Download guide spec (26 28 16 13), learn more about power system design basics, switches portfolio.

Advancing personnel and equipment protection with safety switches

Customization available through our flex center, related products.

Heavy duty safety switches

General duty safety switches

• Alpha: A to Z
• Alpha: Z to A

STS265UD35CL

• Specifications

Maximum reached

Four is the maximum number of items in the comparison tool.

Two items are required

A minimum of two items are required to use the comparison tool.

Something went wrong

Sorry, we can't get that information right now.

• Remote operation. Code compliance. Unmatched protection Download This document describes the features and benefits of the shunt trip safety switch (PDF 163 KB, 10/01/2021)
• Switching device family line card Download This document contains an overview of the switching device product offering (PDF 730 KB, 04/01/2021)
• Switching devices catalog vol02, Tab01 Download Volume 2, Tab 1 - This catalog contains product details and cross-reference for switching devices. (PDF 9 MB, 02/21/2024)

Design guides

• Safety switches design guide Download This design guide provides dimensions, layout examples, technical specifications and application information for low-voltage safety switches. The information in this document supersedes section 28 of the Consulting Application Guide (CAG). (PDF 2 MB, 05/25/2023)
• FAQ Arc energy reduction relay switching devices Download This document reviews frequently asked questions about arc energy reduction relay switches. (PDF 90 KB, 07/01/2020)

Infographics and listicles

• NEC and UL complaint barriers Download This documents explains the NEC and UL complaint barriers (PDF 180 KB, 07/13/2023)
• Switching devices flex center infographic Download This document highlights the capabilities of Eaton’s Flex Center which provides custom solutions for safety switches, enclosed circuit breakers and rotary disconnects. (PDF 141 KB, 10/01/2015)
• Why arc flash protection matters for electrical safety switches Download This infographic reviews the various ways that safety switches can assit with arc flash prevention (PDF 191 KB, 07/01/2020)

Manuals and user guides

• Safety switch renewal parts Download This renewal parts guide reviews Eaton's general duty and heavy-duty safety switch renewal part availability. (PDF 466 KB, 01/30/2024)

Technical data sheets

• Arc energy reduction relay switching devices product platforms Download Updated This document contains technical details for arc energy reduction relay switching devices product platforms. (PDF 1 MB, 04/17/2024)
• Eaton’s heavy duty safety switches with shunt trip capability technical data Download This document contains technical data for Eaton’s heavy duty safety switches with shunt trip capability—remote switching and visible means of disconnect for commercial and industrial applications. (PDF 241 KB, 10/01/2021)
• Fine stranded wire guidelines for safety switches Download This instruction leaflet is presented to guide the installer when utilizing Eaton switches with fine stranded wire. (PDF 202 KB, 02/01/2013)
• Safety Switch Fine Strand Wire Guidelines Download Fine stranded wire guidelines for use with Eaton's General Duty, Heavy Duty, Double Throw and Elevator Control switches (PDF 271 KB, 07/11/2022)

• Switches and disconnects
• Shunt Trip Safety Switches

• Inclusion and Diversity
• News and insights
• Slavery and human trafficking statement
• Policies and statements
• Terms and conditions
• Responsible sourcing of conflict minerals
• Subscribe to emails

Let's talk big ideas

• Privacy, cookies & data protection policy
• Do not sell my data request (CCPA and other states)

Comfort is on the Horizon

Why does my breaker trip when a switch is turned on.

Have you ever had a circuit breaker trip after turning on a light switch? This common issue can disrupt your daily routine, leaving you in the dark—literally. It’s important to understand that this occurrence is more than just an annoyance; it’s a safety mechanism. Your home’s electrical system is designed to protect you from potential hazards, which is why your breaker trips when switch is turned on.

Several factors can cause your breaker to trip. These may range from simple overloads to more complex electrical faults. Each scenario indicates a different type of issue within your electrical system. Keep reading to learn more about these causes and how to address them to restore light and peace of mind to your home.

Table of Contents

Reasons Why a Switch Is Tripping a Breaker

Understanding wh y a light switch trips breaker is essential for maintaining electrical safety and functionality in a building. These factors can cause such incidents, providing insights into common electrical issues:

Light Fixture Fault

When a light fixture is faulty, it can cause a breaker to trip when the switch is turned on. This happens because the fixture may draw more electrical current than it should, leading to an overload. 

A faulty bulb or a malfunction in the fixture’s internal wiring can be a reason for this issue. Check if the light fixture is the root cause by replacing the bulb or inspecting the fixture for any signs of damage or wear.

Faulty Light Switch

Over time, switches can wear out or get damaged, causing an unexpected flow of electricity when activated. This can result in an overload or short circuit, causing the breaker to trip. In such cases, replacing the light switch is often the solution.

Loose Wire Connections

Loose wire connections in the switch or fixture can lead to issues. These loose connections can cause sparks or small arcs of electricity, leading to a surge that trips the breaker. Inspecting and tightening any loose connections ensures a safe and stable electrical flow.

Short Circuits

This happens when a live wire comes into contact with a neutral wire, causing a large amount of electrical current to flow and trip the breaker. Identifying and repairing the short circuit is essential for resolving this issue.

Ground Faults

Ground faults occur when a live wire comes into contact with a grounded area of the circuit breaker. The electrical current then bypasses the normal path and goes straight to the ground, causing a tripped breaker. Ground faults can be dangerous and need immediate attention.

Nail or Screw Through Wiring

Accidentally driving a nail or screw into electrical wiring during renovations or wall hangings can cause breakers to trip. This can create a direct short circuit or ground fault, depending on where the nail or screw punctures the wiring.

Rodent Chewed or Damaged Wiring

Rodents can chew through wiring, exposing it to short circuits or ground faults. This damage is often hidden within walls and may require a thorough inspection to identify and repair.

Faulty GFCI Receptacle

A faulty Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) receptacle can cause tripping issues. These are designed to protect against electrical shocks by tripping the circuit breaker when a ground fault is detected. A malfunctioning GFCI can incorrectly trip the breaker when a switch is turned on, signaling a need for replacement or repair.

Subpanels and Panel Upgrade Considerations

Sometimes, the issue might not be with the switch or wiring but with the electrical panel itself. Subpanels might be overloaded or outdated, necessitating a panel upgrade for better load distribution and to prevent frequent breaker tripping.

What To Do if a Light Switch Trips Breaker

If you encounter a situation with a light tripping breaker, it’s important to approach the issue with caution. Check out these solutions to address and resolve the problem:

Safety First

Before attempting any troubleshooting or repairs:

• Ensure the main power is turned off.
• Use appropriate tools and wear protective gear. If you’re not confident in handling electrical work, it’s advisable to seek professional help.
• Dealing with electricity can be dangerous and safety should always come first.

Turn Off Appliances and Devices

If you have a light tripping breaker, turn off all appliances and devices connected to the circuit. This helps reduce the circuit load. After turning off the devices, try resetting the breaker to see if it stays on. If it does, reintroduce the appliances one at a time to identify if a specific device is causing the problem.

Adjust Your Circuit Breaker

If the light switch keeps tripping breaker, consider adjusting your circuit breaker. Sometimes, a breaker might trip due to a temporary surge or overload. Resetting the breaker can often solve the problem. However, if the breaker trips again, this could indicate a more serious issue that needs further investigation.

Check Your Circuit Breaker

Inspect the breaker for any signs of damage or wear. Older or malfunctioning breakers can trip more easily and might need replacement. In cases where the breaker is old or you have multiple electrical issues, consider a panel upgrade. 

Upgrading your panel can enhance the safety and efficiency of your home’s electrical system, especially if you have added more appliances over time. In larger homes, subpanels can also be a solution to distribute the electrical load more effectively.

Get Electrical Services Near You 

At SolvIt, our team of skilled electricians is equipped to diagnose and resolve electrical issues . We understand the complexities and potential hazards of electrical problems and are committed to providing safe, reliable, and efficient solutions.

Don’t hesitate to seek help if your light switch keeps tripping breaker. Delaying repairs can lead to more significant issues, including potential safety risks. Our experts are here to help, offering comprehensive electrical services tailored to your needs. For professional assistance, contact SolvIt today . Our team is ready to provide the support and expertise to ensure your electrical system functions optimally.

• Air Conditioning
• Energy Savings
• Home Improvement
• Home Maintenance
• Sewer and Drain
• Water Quality

Fuseboxes Explained

A fusebox, also sometimes known as a consumer unit, should be easy to find and is where the electricity in your home is controlled and distributed.

Find an electrician

We recommend that you use an electrician registered with one of the government-approved schemes

It’s important that you know where your fusebox is in case you ever need to turn the electricity off in an emergency. It contains three things – the main switch, fuses and/or circuit breakers, and Residual Current Devices.

A) Main Switch  – this allows you to turn off the electricity supply to your home. You might have more than one mains switch, for example if your home has electric storage heaters. In this case you may have a separate fusebox.

B) Residual Current Devices (RCD)  these are switches that trip a circuit under dangerous conditions, and instantly disconnect the electricity.

For more on RCDs please click here .

C) Circuit Breakers – these are automatic protection devices in the fusebox that switch off a circuit if they detect a fault. They are similar in size to fuses, but give more precise protection. When they ‘trip’, you can simply reset the switch. But make sure you correct the fault first.

Fuses  (may be found in place of circuit breakers) – rewirable fuses have a piece of special fuse wire running between two screws. When a fault or overload current flows through the fuse wire, it will become hot and melt. The melted fuse breaks the circuit, disconnecting the faulty circuit and keeping you safe.

If you are concerned that your fusebox may need replacing, always consult a registered electrician .

Share this article:

How to Reset a Tripped Breaker

What to do when a circuit breaker trips.

Lee has over two decades of hands-on experience remodeling, fixing, and improving homes, and has been providing home improvement advice for over 13 years.

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

What Causes a Tripped Circuit Breaker

Safety considerations, how to avoid tripped breakers, when to call a professional.

• Total Time: 5 mins
• Skill Level: Beginner
• Estimated Cost: $0

A power breaker trip is an annoying occurrence when the power shuts off and you can't use the microwave, lights, or router. A breaker trip is far more than simply annoying when you need that router to send off a time-sensitive work assignment or when medical devices are diverted to time-limited standby power. Fortunately, it's easy to fix a circuit breaker trip in just a few minutes.

Tripped Circuit Breaker

A tripped circuit breaker is when a circuit breaker automatically shuts off to prevent devices on the circuit from overheating or from receiving excessive power. A circuit breaker protects your home against damaging or harmful short circuits and overloads.

• Overloaded circuits : When too many devices are operating on the same circuit and are attempting to pull a higher power load than the circuit can carry, the circuit breaker will trip.
• High-power devices : High amp devices like microwaves , dryers , wall heaters , or A/Cs are turned on for sustained periods, they can cause a power breaker trip.
• Short circuits : In a short circuit, a powered or hot wire makes contact with a neutral wire or when wires are loosened .
• Ground faults: In a ground fault, a hot wire touches anything that is grounded, such as the side of a metal electrical box , an appliance, an outlet , or a bare ground wire.

Need more help? Talk to an electrician near you

Our partners can help you compare quotes from top-rated professionals near you

Get a Quote

Watch Now: How to Safely Reset a Tripped Circuit Breaker

Working around an electrical service panel or circuit breaker board can be dangerous. Your home’s entire electrical load is contained in that box, concentrated around the metal lugs where the service drop’s wires enter the box. Unscrewing and removing the inner dead-front cover within the service panel exposes the highly powered lugs.

What You'll Need

Equipment / tools.

• Circuit breaker directory (if available)
• Rubber-soled shoes
• Safety glasses

Instructions

Locate a flashlight.

Circuit breaker panels tend to be located in out-of-the-way locations with little, if any, ambient light. Find a flashlight. Use the light from a phone if necessary.

Turn Off Devices on the Circuit

Turn off all devices on the electrical circuit. This includes the device that may have caused the breaker to trip, such as a microwave, hairdryer, or A/C, plus all other devices on the same circuit.

Find the Electric Service Panel

The electric service panel, sometimes called a circuit breaker board, is a metal box with a door. The box may be inset in a wall, its face flush with the wall, or surface-mounted where the entire box is exposed.

Places to look: garage , closet, pantry near the kitchen, basement , mudroom, hallway leading to garage or backyard.

One clue is to first find the electric service drop from the main power lines. Usually, your home’s service panel is located below and nearby, on the inside of your home.

Open the Door to the Service Panel

Open the door to the service panel by sliding the plastic switch to the side or up. Next, swing the door open. Use the inset plastic switch as a handle to pull the door open.

Adhi Syailendra / Getty Images

Locate Tripped Breaker

The handle of a tripped circuit breaker should be in the middle position—not left or right. Visually or by feel, locate any breaker handles that differ from the right or left positions:

• Tripped breakers : Tripped circuit breakers have a soft or springy feeling when you lightly press them leftward or rightward.
• Live/active breakers : Breakers that are not tripped are either firmly left or right (depending on which side of the box you're looking at).

Certain breakers, such as Eaton breakers , trip to the off position, not the middle position. Check manufacturer's instructions for your particular product.

Turn the Circuit Breaker Handle to OFF Position

Flip the circuit breaker handle to its firm OFF position, toward the outer edge of the service panel (away from the centerline).

Double and Tandem Breakers

Double pole breakers are double-wide breakers with wide handles. They are often used for dryer or oven circuits. Both sides of double pole breakers operate as one. Tandem breakers are two narrow breakers that share the space of one breaker. Each side operates individually.

Turn the Circuit Breaker Handle to ON Position

Flip the circuit breaker handle to its firm ON position, toward the centerline of the service panel. The handle should seat firmly in place and should make an audible click.

Test Circuit

Turn the device such as the light or A/C back on. If you believe the breaker tripped due to an overload, it’s best to turn on only one device at this time, not multiple devices. Also, choose a device with a lower power draw such as a light fixture.

• Remove some devices from the overloaded circuit and plug them into other circuits that aren’t drawing as much power.
• Avoid running many devices on the circuit at the same time. In a kitchen , for example, stage cooking activities that require power so that they happen in succession, not all at once.
• Install GFCI outlets so that the outlet shuts off before the entire circuit breaker shuts down in the case of a ground circuit. Just note that GFCI outlets are not circuit overload protection, but protection against dangerous ground faults.
• Replace old outlets, light fixtures, and switches which may create short circuits or trip breakers.
• Have an electrician separate hardwired devices that are drawing too much power from a single circuit. The electrician can move devices to another circuit or can set up an entirely new circuit to relieve the load.
• Replace the circuit breaker.

A qualified, licensed electrician is trained to detect the cause of tripped breakers and to fix those causes. If your problem of tripped circuit breakers is more than just an overloaded circuit, you may want to seek the help of an electrician. Unless you are an advanced do-it-yourselfer , it’s best to hire an electrician to wire up a new circuit breaker .

Electrical Panel Safety . Office of Congressional Workplace Rights.

CH Circuit Breakers . Eaton.

Ground-Fault Circuit Interruptors . International Association of Certified Home Inspectors.

More from The Spruce

• GFCI Receptacle vs. GFCI Circuit Breaker
• Ground Fault vs Short Circuit: What's the Difference?
• What Happens When a Fuse Blows
• Understanding Arc Faults and AFCI Protection
• Understanding Fuses and Fuse Boxes
• Subpanels Explained for Home Owners
• How to Reset a Circuit Breaker
• A Basic Guide to Home Electrical Wiring
• Amps vs. Volts: The Dangers of Electrical Shock
• Line or Load With GFCI Connection
• Home Electrical Basics 101
• What Is a Short Circuit, and What Causes One?
• How to Cap Electrical Wires
• Garbage Disposal Not Working: 4 Problems & Solutions
• Troubleshooting a Gas Oven That Won't Heat Up
• What Happens When an Electrical Circuit Overloads

Breaker Trips When I Turn The Light On – How To Troubleshoot

Breaker trips from light switch. I turn the kitchen ceiling light switch ON and the circuit breaker trips . I am assuming the light switch or the light fixture is the cause. What can cause the breaker to trip when the light switch is turned on?

There are different reasons why a breaker will trip/reset when you turn on a light using a wall switch. See below for the reasons why flipping on a light switch could cause a breaker to trip/flip/reset.

SAFETY: Be sure to flip the breaker off when inspecting or troubleshooting any electrical issue. Use a flashlight or headlamp to safely inspect the area. Use the appropriate tools/gloves when working with electrical components. It is recommended to read this complete page before you begin troubleshooting your electrical issue.

Quick Troubleshooting: Start by turning the breaker OFF. Check the light switch by removing the switch cover. Fix any wires that are loose or damaged. Check the light fixture for any brittle/damaged or loose wires. If both the light switch and light fixture are wired properly, next inspect the wiring within the circuit. Most “breaker tripping” issues in this case involve the light switch and or the light fixture. For more detailed information keep reading below…

Recently replaced the light switch or fixture? If you have replaced the light switch or light fixture with a new one and the breaker trips when you turn the light on, the switch or fixture is most likely wired incorrectly. Turn off the circuit breaker and rewire the switch or fixture. Use the wiring diagram that came with the light switch/fixture to wire it correctly.

Having electrical issues with your ceiling fan? Ceiling fans may vibrate connections loose and cause a tripping breaker.

What do I check to fix the breaker from tripping? To find out why the breaker trips when you turn the light on, check the wiring, the light fixture, and the light switch. Inspect all components to be sure the wiring on the light fixture and light switch are not loose or damaged. Check the switch and fixture for the correct wiring with no shorts to neutral/ground. All of these conditions can cause the breaker to trip.

How To Fix Light Switch/Trips Breaker

Troubleshoot efficiently by checking the switch first. Remove the switch plate (2 screws) and check the switch with a flashlight. Inspect for any wiring touching the side of the box or other wires. Fix as needed, then check the light fixture and inspect the wiring for issues. If the issue goes beyond the light switch and light fixture, call an electrician to troubleshoot the problem.

When a light switch trips the breaker, a faulty light switch or light fixture is usually the cause. A wire may have come loose at the switch or fixture and is shorting out the hot wire. Always check the switch and fixture first.

Also check any GFCI receptacles that are on the circuit for a malfunction or fault.

If you recently hung a picture or put a nail/screw through the wall, this is likely your issue as a nail or drill bit may have damaged the wiring. If a nail or screw has damaged the wire, you can replace the wiring around the fault by using junction boxes for the splice.

Why Does Light Switch Trip Breaker?

See below for the reasons why a breaker can trip and what may be causing the problem. There can be more reasons but these are the most common/average.

Light Switch Can Trip Breaker When:

• Light Fixture Fault
• Light Switch Is Faulty
• Wire Connections Are Loose
• Short Circuit Issues
• Ground Fault Problems
• Nail/Screw Through Wiring
• Rodent Chewed/Damaged Wires
• Faulty GFCI Receptacle

Reasons Light Switch Trips Breaker

1. Light Fixture Fault If a light fixture is faulty, a breaker can become overloaded. The wires in an old light fixture can fall apart and cause a short or ground out. Turn off power before checking the light fixture for damage. Replace the light fixture if found to be faulty.

2. Light Switch Is Faulty A light switch that has become faulty can short out and trip a breaker. An old light switch can crack and become unusable and cause the breaker the flip. The wires can become brittle and cause a circuit overload or a short. Turn off the breaker when checking the light switch. Replace the light switch if found to be faulty.

3. Wire Connections Are Loose If any of the wires become loose it can ground out and short circuit causing the breaker to trip/reset. Remove power, remove cover if applicable, and inspect the terminal screws on the switch to be sure they are not loose. If loose, tighten the screws and be sure they are secure. Be sure terminal screws are tightened all the way down.

4. Short Circuits A wire is contacting another wire and current flows through and flips the breaker. Wires can become brittle and the insulation can fall off. Inspect all wires to be sure there are no short circuits. Replace any wiring if you find it to be brittle and or the insulation has become brittle and falling off. This causes grounding and shorts.

5. Ground Faults This happens when a live wire comes in contact with a metal area of the switch housing or similar. This can cause shock and also trip the breaker. Inspect all areas on the wiring to be sure there are no ground faults.

6. Nail/Screw Through Wiring If you have drilled into the wall to hang a picture lately, you may have drilled too deep and damaged a wire. This is a difficult scenario as the damaged wire will need to be repair and or replaced. It is best to call a pro at this point.

7. Rodent Chewed/Damaged Wires A rodent in the wall may have chewed on the wiring. This will cause damaged wiring and cause a short that will flip the breaker. The wiring will need to be repaired or replaced.

8. Faulty GFCI Receptacle Check any GFCI receptacles on the circuit for a malfunction. If the light switch wiring is going through a GFCI receptacle and the GFCI is faulty, this can cause a problem and trip the breaker. Replace the GFCI receptacle if found to be faulty.

More common electrical problems and solutions:

What To Do If Electrical Breaker Tripping In Your Home?

Microwave Oven Tripping Breaker

Power Out In One Room But Rest Of The House Has Electricity?

No Power To Outlets In One Room Or Wall

If you have read through this page and still have a light switch that trips the breaker, please describe your issue below and we will get back to you with a solution.

Please Share The Love

You May Find These Related Articles Helpful...

About the author, keith vetter, leave a reply.

• Default Comments (8)
• Facebook Comments

8 thoughts on “Breaker Trips When I Turn The Light On – How To Troubleshoot”

I just recently moved into a old family rental house and in the kitchen there is a ceiling fan light combo and a block off plate for the switch meaning no switch. Well I got tired of having to pull the cord while walking slowly to try and not trip in the dark. I pulled the cover off the wall and have old 2 wire 1 yellow or white and 1 black both capped off. So I thought easy enough and hooked a switch up to it not thinking. The light and fan have power so putting a switch here will do nothing. Well acted without using common sense and installed a switch, when the switch is off lights and fan working as they were before, when I flip the switch on it throws a breaker and the light and fan turn off. So I took the fixture down and it’s wired White wire to white wire green capped black to black and in the same wire nut black to blue there is 4 different wire strands coming into the ceiling box all 2 wire – black and white all besides 1 set are wired together and then to the fixture. Another reason I’m putting in a switch is because we’re thinking about moving the fan and light to the living room and putting a standard light fixture, we can’t do that if theirs no switch it stays on constantly.

I have 6 spotlights in my kitchen ceiling , when they are turned on after some time the breaker will trip , tried installing new spotlights and it still tripping , any suggestions please

My lightswitch has 3 sets of wires coming into it, live feed from the box, run to the light, and continued circuit through to the outlets. I wired a piggy tail from the live feed to the switch and connected the light run and outlet run together with a piggytail. All whites are capped and all grounds are capped. I have to power to my light switch but no power to my outlets. When I flip the switch it shorts out the AFCI Breaker. I then checked to see if it is the light and so I hard wired the light to the live feed from the breaker panel and the light stays on while the switch is off but I still have no power to my outlets. We ran the wire and it all testes great, only time we started to have issues was when I had to change the Breakers out with AFCI Breakers.

Cornelius, Sounds as if there is an issue with the breaker that you are using for the lights. If the breaker for the lights or outlets is causing the main breaker to reset or trip, then check the light breaker for faults or wiring issues. You may want to have a professional assist you as working in a main breaker box can be a safety issue if you do not have much experience with high voltage. -RR

I have a problem, my main power box trips when I switch the lights breaker on but when the light breaker is off, all of the electrical outlets are working, please what’s cause of the problem?

installed new light circuit, when the switch is in off position and I flip breaker on, the 2 light fixtures are on, hit the switch to on a the breaker trips. Power is getting to the switch, in off postion the circuit works, turn the switch to on and breaker trips. I must have a wire from switch in wrong plsce or wrong on the first light of two in the circuit.

The breaker started tripping when I added a second light on a combination switch and the switch is also powering a second room and all my wiring is done right, I’m assuming is that the breaker is overloaded but I will like a second opinion or confirm my deduction

I hung a new ceiling fan, the old one was just wired into the neural side of the wiring, all hooked up on the white wire. I rewired the new one into the wiring like it should be, black to black, and white to white, now when i turn on the wall switch it trips a breaker.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Copy and paste this code: xajama *

Leave this field empty

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Galvin Power is reader-supported. When you buy via our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more

Why a Circuit Breaker Trips When the Light Switch is Turned Off?

Written by  Edwin Jones  / Fact checked by  Andrew Wright

Do you want to use electricity without problems, but your light switch is a headache? If a circuit breaker trips when the light switch is turned off, most likely, it’s a result of a common wiring mistake. However, there are other reasons you should keep an eye on.

You’ll never know what will happen if you let this malfunction go unaddressed, so keep reading and see the listed possible reasons. It is necessary to determine your next step on this matter to maintain a healthy power source for your home.

Table of Contents

You Have a Miswiring in a Switch Loop Setup

A double throw switch is causing the problem, what if your switch is a single pole single throw, a loose wiring connection.

When you install lights, you buy new fixtures, switches, and perhaps a new set of wiring too.

Now you think you did the proper process — hot-to-hot wire and neutral-to-neutral wire, but in the end, the light switch trips breaker when turned off. Even though you reversed the way you plug the wires, the result stayed the same. This pain in the butt frequently happens when you have a switch loop set up.

A typical DIY guy mistake in a switch loop setup is when all black and white wires are connected. This miswiring causes the light to turn on even though the switch is off. Because it’s improper, it shorts the circuit and trips the breaker when the switch’s on.

To properly rewire this connection, you will need a marker and proceed to the following steps:

• First, the circuit breaker’s black wire connects to the white wire and other black wires that feed other devices.
• Remember to put a black marker on both ends of the switch and the light.
• Then, connect the circuit breaker’s white wire to the light’s and other devices’ white cables.
• Next, connect your switch’s black wire to the black wire for the lights.
• Finally, link all the ground wires together and to the ground screw from the lighting fixture and the box.

If your residence had a history of a bad renovation or electrical rerouting by an untrained contractor, your wirings might be in trouble. It is time to remove the cover panel of your switch box and investigate the situation of your switch inside the box.

A breaker that trips from an off light switch is not common among households today. This occurrence happens because of poor wiring of a light switch like the “Single-Pole, Double Throw” switch.

You’ll know you have this kind of switch when it doesn’t have ON and OFF markings on the switch toggle.

It’s a bad sign if your switch is leaning on the side of the grounded box where it is mounted. A switch is in an improper position when the switch pole screw lies against the switch box and the runner is shorted, which causes the fuse to blow when you turn the lights off.

Also, the breaker will trip if the runner short circuits to the ground or neutral wire somewhere along the wiring’s terminus.

If you have double-throw switches for a three or four-way switch, look out for a shorted traveler wire. It’s possible a switch was removed, causing the travel wire to short-circuit ( Read now how to test a shortstop circuit breaker here ).

A standard single throw switch is a typical switch for a light fixture. You can typically find this at home with three screws for hot wires and a ground wire. Its clear difference from a double throw is that the switch toggle has an ON and OFF indicator.

Now, what’s the catch when you have a single pole, single throw switch? Will you have the same dilemma as with the double throw? Well, technically, the answer is yes. You can still experience a problem where a breaker trips when switch is turned off, but for other reasons.

If it’s a standard switch, it is easy to blame the button itself when you have a difficulty like this. The controller can be defective due to a manufacturing failure. However, a simple wiring mistake can trigger the breaker to trip just by turning the switch off.

If the ground wire and the hot wires are close enough to each other, toggling the switch can cause a slight movement that contacts them, then BOOM, a ground fault.

There’s also a possibility that the switch is in neutral. Keep an eye on this wiring mistake because you’re turning the power to the neutral and not the hot wire. Reverse wiring is a huge no-no, so try to fix it as soon as possible.

The fourth and simplest possible reason is a loose wire. Just like other devices at home, your switch gets old, and so does your breaker. When an electrical safety device comes to the point where you’ve been using it for ages, its wiring will eventually give up.

Sloppy wiring of an old switch can cause a breaker to trip, even with the slightest movement of switching it off. Like other issues stated earlier, a loose connection triggers a ground fault or a short circuit .

Furthermore, general wear and tear to your breaker and switch wirings result in repetitive breaker tripping. If you think loose or faulty wiring is not a big deal, watch this video by Andrew Pace:

It is necessary to check your terminal screws and wiring insulations from time to time. Sometimes an old wire turns brittle, and its insulations become damaged, so never let this happen to your switch and CB.

Wiring on the brink of destruction won’t only compromise a breaker but also increase the risk of multiple hazards. Always mind your safety.

There are four possible reasons why your circuit breaker trips when the light switch is turned off. Check if you have a switch loop setup, double/single throw switch, or loose wiring connections. These will help you determine a specific matter causing this problem.

If it’s the wiring that causes the problem, proceed on a safety action immediately.

Addressing an electrical problem is vital for the welfare of our homes. Never take safety for granted, and face the trouble as soon as you can.

I am Edwin Jones, in charge of designing content for Galvinpower. I aspire to use my experiences in marketing to create reliable and necessary information to help our readers. It has been fun to work with Andrew and apply his incredible knowledge to our content.

• Account Settings
• Home Services
• Home Security
• Pest Control
• Living Room
• Other Rooms

Home Improvement

• Cost Guides
• Floor Plans

Housekeeping

• Cleaning Tips
• Organization
• Popular Brands
• Sizes & Dimensions

Smart Living

• Dangerous Areas
• Safest Areas
• Most Affordable Areas

Top stories

Water Heater Thermal Switch Keeps Tripping? (Possible Causes & Fixes)

Water heaters are essential in modern homes, and luckily, they are usually easy to rely on. However, they are made of several parts that work together, and just one malfunction can throw the whole system off. So, what should you do when your water heater thermal switch keeps tripping?

A water heater’s thermal switch keeps tripping if a vent is blocked. Excess heat will build up within the system, and you’ll need to clean one or both of the vents to increase the airflow. A thermal switch can repeatedly trip on a water heater a thermostat or the heating element is damaged.

You can generally inspect your water heater and diagnose the problem without professional help. However, it is ideal to hire a plumber if there is a blockage deep within either of the vents. Follow along as we explore why your water heater thermal switch keeps tripping.

Do You Need Water Heater Repair Services?

Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.

Why Does my Thermal Switch Keep Tripping on my Water Heater?

There are several reasons why a water heater thermal switch keeps tripping, and it’s often d ue to a blocked vent . However, a thermal switch can trip if there is a problem with the thermostat, wiring, breaker, or reset button. It may require some troubleshooting, but you can use this guide to save you some time and trouble when your water heater thermal switch keeps tripping.

Thermostat Error

Your system likely has two thermostats if it runs on electricity. There is generally one thermostat on the upper part of the system and another at the bottom. The upper thermostat generally contains a reset button that comes in handy when your thermal switch keeps tripping on your water heater.

There are two thermostats included because there are two heating elements . These elements are never on at the same time as a safety measure to ensure that the water inside the tank doesn’t get too hot. Water heaters contain thermostats because they measure the water temperature so it can shut on or off when necessary.

Your water heater will malfunction if one or both thermostats go bad, and this can cause the thermal switch to trip.

When your system has malfunctioning thermostats, replacement is necessary. A professional plumber will help you replace your thermostats, as they’ll know which thermostats are compatible with your system.

Heating Element Burnt Out

The heating element is what brings the water in your heater to the correct temperature. Water heaters have a metal casing that is generally durable, but they can suffer damage. This typically happens when the heating element burns out, but the casing can deteriorate over time.

While most gas heaters only utilize one heating element, electrical systems have two . Therefore, electrical heaters are twice as likely to experience element-related issues.

Power will continue to run to the heating element even if there is a short in the system. In this case, water will continue to heat until it reaches 180°F . When this temperature is reached, the thermal switch will trip, and the water will not get any hotter.

This is another problem that will likely warrant component replacement. Again, you should get help from a professional plumber when you need to replace your water heater’s heating elements.

There’s Something Wrong With the Reset Button

The thermal switch is a reliable safety mechanism, but if it keeps tripping, then it’s likely this component is faulty. As was explained earlier, a thermal switch is included to cut off power in the event that the water inside a heater’s tank exceeds 180°F.

However, as time goes on, a thermal switch will wear down, and eventually, it will struggle with reading the temperature of water inside the tank. When this happens, the thermal switch might shut off power at the wrong time, like when the temperature of the water inside the tank is completely fine.

To fix this problem, a plumber will have to replace the thermal switch as well as the upper thermostat it’s connected to. Again, this is the case only with an electrical heater that utilizes two thermostats. Some systems don’t include thermal switches that are attached to thermostats, so fixing this issue in such systems may be more difficult.

Faulty Wiring

An electrical problem may be causing your water heater to not work properly. Specifically, if you have loose wiring, this cannot only be hazardous but it could also be causing your thermal switch to trip unexpectedly.

When wiring is loose, excess heat will be produced, and then this will cause the water heater’s thermal switch to trip. It’s good that a water heater’s thermal switch can prevent the loose wire from disrupting how the system functions, but if loose wire causes the thermal switch to keep having to be tripped, eventually the switch may wear out.

There are other wiring issues to look out for. Specifically, if you have aluminum wiring and copper wiring in your water heater, you may utilize a special plug connector to connect these wires.

If the plug connector is not in place, the two metals may cause the water heater’s breaker to trip. There’s also the possibility that a breaker is out, and if this is the case it’s likely the thermal switch will trip when you don’t want it to.

When you’re dealing with an electrical issue, it may be best to get an electrician to look at your water heater. A plumber may not be able to fix the wiring or breaker-related issues, and therefore an electrician will be required.

Blocked Vent

A blocked vent can pose a risk to your entire water heater system and home . The water heater cannot get enough air if there is a blockage in the vent, and it will cause your thermal switch to trip. Heat can accumulate within the system and your water heater will trip the thermal switch as a safety measure.

The average water heater has a vent at the top and bottom of the unit. You may be able to spot the blockage if you inspect either vent, but blockages are often lodged deeply.

Shut off power to your water heater, let it cool down, and clean the vents. Contact a plumber if you cannot access the blockage so that the problem doesn’t continue. Restore power to your water heater and reset the unit after you clean it so that your thermal switch doesn’t continue to trip.

Get Professional Help

Now it’s time to clean the flame trap. This is beneath the burner on the inside of the combustion chamber; you’ll need to turn off the gas before you do this. Next, vacuum the inside of the combustion chamber once you get access to it, and pay close attention to the bottom of the chamber.

If during this time you smell gas, immediately stop what you’re doing and open all the windows and doors in your home. A gas leak can be very dangerous, and you’ll want to get experts out to your property to deal with this ASAP.

This is why a DIY thermal switch reset is not recommended. Instead, you should get the help of a professional plumber when you need to reset your water heater’s thermal switch.

Related Questions

When a water heater shuts off because it has become too hot, this can be an alarming situation. Moreover, there are so many different water heaters out there these days, and most systems run differently in this situation. Here are the common questions that are asked about water heaters and the thermal switches they utilize.

If your system isn’t getting enough air, this may result in the thermal switch being tripped. Some water heaters—like hybrid water heaters for example—utilize air to heat water.

When there’s not enough air available, your system won’t be heated in this way, which means it will have to rely on the backup power burner, and this may heat the water to a temperature that’s too high, therefore tripping the thermal switch. To avoid this situation, make sure your hot water heater is in a spot where there’s plenty of room.

You’ll need to replace the thermostat if the thermal switch trips frequently. It is ideal to hire a professional plumber to replace your thermostat.

Matt loves everything DIY. He has been learning and practicing different trades since he was a kid, and he's often the first one called when a friend or family member needs a helping hand at home. Matt loves to work with wood and stone, and landscaping is by far his most favorite pastime.

More by Matthew Mountain

Things Not To Tell Your Real Estate Agent When Selling Your Home

Popular articles.

What To Do If Movers Damage My Property

Why Does My Paludarium Have White Spots?

What To Do With A Fish Tank When The Power Goes Out

My Neighbors' Smells Are Entering My Apartment. What Can I Do?

Are Paludariums Hard To Maintain?

You may also be interested in.

Furnace High Limit Switch Keeps Tripping? (Possible Causes & Fixes)

Water Heater Keeps Running? (Possible Causes & Fixes)

Water Heater Keeps Tripping Breaker? (Possible Causes & Fixes)

10 Best Electric Lawn Mowers - [2022 Reviews & Top Rated Models]

The 5 Best Angle Grinders – [2022 Reviews & Buyer's Guide]

The 15 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods In DC: 2022's Ultimate List

Why is My Milwaukee Charger Blinking Red and Green?

Hard Wired Smoke Alarms Goes Off For No Reason? (Do This!)

Symptoms Of A Bad AC Capacitor (Here Are 7 Telltale Signs)

How To Calculate Septic Drain Field Size

The 15 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods In Pittsburgh

How To Reset A Whirlpool Cabrio Washer [In 5 Easy Steps!]

Standard Desk Dimensions & Layout Guidelines (with Photos)

10 Places That Will Cut Wood For You (Free and Paid)

17 Types of Stucco (Various Finishes & Textures)

Walk-In Closet Dimensions & Guidelines (with Drawings)

How To Wire A Light Fixture With Red, Black, And White Wires

Is Hulu Activate Not Working? (Possible Causes & Fixes)

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share by Email

Last call for the ultimate Pinehurst trip

2024 Masters Thursday tee times: Round 1 groupings

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is eyeing a second Masters victory this week.

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The 2024 Masters begins Thursday, April 11, with the first round at Augusta National Golf Club . You can find full Masters tee times for the opening round at the bottom of this post.

Featured tee time for Round 1

UPDATE : Due to inclement weather, gate openings and Thursday tee times have been delayed. The first round will now begin at 10:30 a.m. ET, with the opening ceremonies starting at 10:10 a.m. ET. First-round tee times have been updated below.

Heading into the Masters, all eyes are on World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler . His recent stretch of dominance has left some wondering whether he’ll have a cakewalk to his second green jacket this week.

Some of his chief competition will be playing alongside him in the same grouping on Thursday and Friday. Scheffler will be grouped with World No. 2 Rory McIlroy and World No. 5 Xander Schauffele , who has yet to capture a major title.

For Thursday’s opening round, Scheffler’s group will tee off at 1:12 p.m. ET. Tiger Woods , who is making his first start since withdrawing from the Genesis Invitational in February, tees off at 3:54 p.m. ET.

You can watch Thursday’s first round of the 2024 Masters on TV via ESPN, with coverage kicking off at 3 p.m. ET. Or you can watch streaming coverage all day long via ESPN+ , Masters.com and the Masters app, including exclusive early action, featured group coverage and much more.

You can check out the complete Round 1 tee times for the 2024 Masters below.

2024 Masters tee times for Thursday: Round 1 (ET)

10:10 a.m. – Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson (Honorary Starters) 10:30 a.m. – Erik van Rooyen, Jake Knapp 10:42 a.m. – Jose Maria Olazabal, Taylor Moore, Santiago de la Fuente 10:54 a.m. – Danny Willett, Austin Eckroat, Stephan Jaeger 11:06 a.m. – Charl Schwartzel, Luke List, Christo Lamprecht 11:18 a.m. – Gary Woodland, Thorbjorn Olesen, Bryson DeChambeau1 11:30 a.m. – Zach Johnson, Corey Conners, Jasper Stubbs 11:42 a.m. – Sergio Garcia, Chris Kirk, Ryan Fox 11:54 a.m. – Lucas Glover, Byeong Hun An, Harris English 12:06 p.m. – Phil Mickelson, Sepp Straka, Tony Finau 12:18 p.m. – Nick Taylor, Joaquin Niemann, Russell Henley 12:36 p.m. – Patrick Cantlay, Min Woo Lee, Rickie Fowler 12:48 p.m. – Hideki Matsuyama, Will Zalatoris, Justin Thomas 1:00 p.m. – Jon Rahm, Matt Fitzpatrick, Nick Dunlap 1:12 p.m. – Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele 1:24 p.m. – Wyndham Clark, Viktor Hovland, Cameron Smith 1:36 p.m. – Lee Hodges, Adrian Meronk, Grayson Murray 1:48 p.m. – Camilo Villegas, Denny McCarthy, Cameron Davis 2:00 p.m. – Mike Weir, Ryo Hisatsune, Neal Shipley 2:12 p.m. – Vijay Singh, Si Woo Kim, Emiliano Grillo 2:24 p.m. – Fred Couples, Adam Hadwin, Stewart Hagestad 2:42 p.m. – Justin Rose, Eric Cole, Peter Malnati 2:54 p.m. – Akshay Bhatia, J.T. Poston, Shane Lowry 3:06 p.m. – Bubba Watson, Nicolai Hojgaard, Adam Schenk 3:18 p.m. – Patrick Reed, Sungjae Im, Kurt Kitayama 3:30 p.m. – Keegan Bradley, Matthieu Pavon, Tyrrell Hatton 3:42 p.m. – Adam Scott, Sam Burns, Cameron Young 3:54 p.m. – Tiger Woods, Jason Day, Max Homa 4:06 p.m. – Brian Harman, Brooks Koepka, Tom Kim 4:18 p.m. – Jordan Spieth, Ludvig Aberg, Sahith Theegala 4:30 p.m. – Dustin Johnson, Collin Morikawa, Tommy Fleetwood

Latest In News

2024 rbc heritage saturday tee times: round 3 pairings, nelly korda's brilliance on full display at chevron. here's why, tiger woods' 'treasured' verne lundquist tribute needed only 8 words, brian harman’s spicy 45-second interview delivers hidden lesson, kevin cunningham.

As managing producer for GOLF.com, Cunningham edits, writes and publishes stories on GOLF.com, and manages the brand’s e-newsletters, which reach more than 1.4 million subscribers each month. A former two-time intern, he also helps keep GOLF.com humming outside the news-breaking stories and service content provided by our reporters and writers, and works with the tech team in the development of new products and innovative ways to deliver an engaging site to our audience.

Related Articles

Scottie scheffler hit an ugly shank. but the real surprise came later, 2024 rbc heritage friday tv coverage: how to watch round 2, what's a masters win worth to an equipment manufacturer, inside the masters' tv ratings plunge: what it means for golf, 2024 rbc heritage friday tee times: round 2 pairings, 2024 rbc heritage thursday tv coverage: how to watch round 1, masters notebook dump: media lottery, augusta’s investment, best viewing spot.

Use Switch Control to navigate your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Use Switch Control to control your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch using a single switch or multiple switches.

With Switch Control, you can use switches to select, tap, or drag items, type, and even freehand draw. Just use a switch to select an item or location on the screen, then use the switch to choose an action.

Add a new switch

Turn switch control on or off, use switch control.

Change your settings

Before you add an external switch, you need to connect it to your device before it will show in the list of switches. You can use any of these options as a switch:

External: Choose a Bluetooth switch or Made for iPhone switch.

Screen: Tap the screen to use a switch or press and hold.

Camera: Move your head to use the iPhone front-facing camera as a switch. You can use the camera as two switches: One when you move your head to the left, and the other when you move your head to the right.

Add a switch and choose its action:

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control > Switches.

Tap Add New Switch and choose a source.

Follow the onscreen steps to choose how you want the switch to work.

Remember to turn on Switch Control, so you can use your new switch.

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control and turn the setting on or off. You can also triple-click the Home button or the Side button on certain models at any time to exit Switch Control.

There are three ways to select items on the screen: Item scanning, point scanning, and manual selection. Item scanning is the default when you turn on Switch Control.

After you select an item, a menu appears that lets you choose an action.

Use item scanning

Item scanning highlights items or groups on the screen one at a time. Here's how to use item scanning:

To select an item or a group, watch (or listen) as items are highlighted. While an item is highlighted, choose it with the switch that you set up as your Select Item switch. When you select a group, highlighting continues with the items in the group.

To exit a group, use your switch when the dashed highlight around the group or item appears.

Use point scanning

Point scanning lets you select an item on the screen by pinpointing it with scanning crosshairs. To turn on point scanning:

Use item scanning to select an item.

Wait for the menu to appear.

Select Point Mode. The wide vertical crosshairs appear when you close the menu.

To select an item with point scanning:

Use your select switch to stop the wide vertical crosshairs. The fine vertical crosshair appears.

Use your select switch again to stop the fine vertical crosshair. The fine scanning line will appear next.

Repeat to stop and refine the vertical crosshairs.

To turn off point scanning:

Use point scanning to select an item.

Select Item Mode.

Use Head Tracking on devices with a TrueDepth camera

Head Tracking uses the camera on your device to track the movement of your head to control a pointer on your screen, and tracks your facial movements to perform actions. You can use Head Tracking on devices with a front-facing TrueDepth camera. * Here's how to turn it on:

Go to Settings > Accessibility, and select Switch Control.

Tap to turn on Head Tracking. From here, you can select certain actions, pointer speed, and your tracking mode.

The TrueDepth camera is supported on iPhone X and later, and iPad Pro 12-inch (3rd generation) and iPad Pro 11 inch.

Use manual scanning

If you use multiple switches, you can set up each switch to perform a specific action and customize how you select items. For example, instead of automatically scanning items, you can set up switches to move to the next or previous item on demand. If you just have one switch, keep using Auto Scanning.

To use manual scanning:

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control.

Tap Scanning Style, then select Manual Scanning.

Choose an action after you select an item

After you select an item with your switch, the possible actions for that item appear in a new menu. Select the dots at the bottom of the menu to see more options.

Tap an item

You can tap an item three different ways:

Choose Tap from the menu that appears when you select the item.

Turn on Auto Tap at Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control > Tap Behavior > Auto Tap. After you turn on Auto Tap, you can select an item and wait for the Auto Tap interval to finish.

Set up a switch to perform the tap gesture at Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control > Switches.

Use a gesture

Select the gesture or action from the menu that appears when you select the item. If you turned on Auto Tap, use your switch within the Auto Tap interval, then select the gesture. If more than one page of actions is available, select the dots at the bottom of the menu to go to another page.

Exit the control menu

Use your switch while all the icons in the menu are dimmed.

Scroll up or down

Select any item on the screen, then choose Scroll from the menu.

Press a button or flip a switch

Select any item, select the dots at the bottom of the menu, then select Device from the menu that appears. You can use the menu to mimic these actions:

Click the Home button.

Double-click the Home button for multitasking.

Open Notification Center or Control Center.

Press the Sleep/Wake button to lock the device.

Rotate the device.

Flip the Mute switch.

Press the volume buttons.

Hold down the Home button to open Siri.

Triple-click the Home button.

Shake the device.

Press Home and Sleep/Wake buttons simultaneously to take a screenshot.

Change your settings and adjust how each switch works

To change your settings , go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control. Then make your changes:

Add switches and specify their function

Choose, create, and edit recipes

Choose a scanning style

Adjust how rapidly items are scanned

Turn off auto scanning (only if you’ve added a Move to Next Item switch)

Set scanning to pause on the first item in a group

Choose how many times to cycle through the screen before hiding Switch Control

Choose a tap behavior and set the interval for performing a second switch action to show the control menu

Choose whether Switch Control resumes scanning at an item you tap or from the beginning

Set whether a movement action is repeated when you press and hold a switch, and how long to wait before repeating

Add another action to a switch by pressing and holding the switch for a long duration

Choose which items appear in menus and the order in which they appear

Set whether and how long you need to hold a switch down before it’s accepted as a switch action

Have Switch Control ignore accidental repeated switch triggers

Adjust the point scanning speed

Turn on sound effects or have items read aloud as they are scanned

Choose what to include in the Switch Control menu

Set whether items should be grouped while item scanning

Make the selection cursor larger or a different color

Save custom gestures to the control menu (in Gestures > Saved)

FaceTime isn't available in all countries or regions.

Fine tune Switch Control

Choose Settings from the control menu to:

Adjust scanning speed

Change the location of the control menu

Turn sound or speech accompaniment on or off

Turn off groups to scan items one at a time

Related topics

Explore Apple Support Community

Find what’s been asked and answered by Apple customers.

Contact Apple Support

Need more help? Save time by starting your support request online and we'll connect you to an expert.

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Israel 'wasn't left to fend for itself' - yet aid to Ukraine is limited, Zelenskyy says

Follow our Ukraine war live page for all the latest developments and analysis of the conflict. Listen to a Sky News Daily podcast episode on the notion of the UK putting troops on the ground in Ukraine as you scroll.

Friday 19 April 2024 18:32, UK

• Israel wasn't left to fend for itself, Zelenskyy says
• NATO will supply more air defence systems to Ukraine
• Two detained after hammer attack on Navalny aide
• Moscow ramping up pressure on Ukrainian forces
• Major Russian missile attack kills eight
• Kremlin responds to US shift on aid to Ukraine
• Analysis: Russia is exploiting Ukraine's lack of air defences
• Mark Stone: Ukraine funding vote is a curious twist in America's political chaos
• The big picture: What's happening with the war this week?
• Your questions answered: How long will it take for any aid to turn the tide militarily?
• Live reporting by Samuel Osborne

We are pausing our live coverage of Russia's invasion of Ukraine today.

We'll be back again with more updates.

Here's a round-up of today, which started with the deaths of at least eight people in a major Russian missile attack in central Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for more air defences and said: "Russia must be held accountable for its terror, and every missile, every Shahed [drone] must be shot down."

In a speech after a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies on the Italian island of Capri, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said it is "imperative" Ukraine gets more resources immediately to help it fight Russia.

"It needs more air defences, it needs more munitions, it needs more artillery - allies and partners including the G7 countries are committed to delivering on that," he added.

Meanwhile, Ukraine claimed to have shot down a Russian Tu-22M3 bomber "for the first time". Russia's defence ministry said the crash appeared to have been caused by a technical malfunction.

Two detained in Poland after hammer attack on Navalny aide

Two people were detained in Poland on suspicion of a hammer attack on Leonid Volkov,  the exiled top aide of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Mr Volkov had blamed Vladimir Putin for the attack and he thanked Lithuanian police for working "energetically and persistently" over the past month on his case.

"I am very glad that this work has been effective", he tweeted. "Well, we'll find out the details soon. Can't wait to find out!"

And a Polish man was arrested over allegations of being ready to help Russia's military intelligence in an alleged plot to assassinate Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made an emotional appeal to NATO members, saying the current level of foreign aid for Ukraine is "very limited". 

The Ukrainian president said Israel had not been left to fend for itself during Iran's aerial bombardment on Saturday.

During that attack, Western allies had stepped in to help shoot down Iranian drones and missiles. 

"Putin must be brought down to earth and our sky must become safe again... And it depends fully on your choice... [the] choice whether we are indeed allies," Mr Zelenskyy said in his speech.

He said Ukraine needs a minimum of seven Patriot or other high-end air defence systems to counter Russian air strikes. 

Russia has recently intensified its bombardment of Ukraine, and the UN reported civilian deaths had sharply increased in March. 

NATO ministers have decided to supply more air defence systems to Ukraine, the organisation's secretary general has said.

Jens Stoltenberg said several NATO allies had made concrete commitments which he expected to be announced soon.

"In addition to Patriots, there are other weapons that allies can provide, including [French system] SAMP/T and many others, who do not have available systems, have pledged to provide financial support to purchase them for Ukraine," he told reporters in Brussels.

A Russian missile attack has damaged port infrastructure in Ukraine's southern Odessa region, the governor has said.

One person was injured, he added.

This map by the British Ministry of Defence shows the latest update on advances in Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The head of the European Union's executive branch has visited Finland's border with Russia to assess the security situation there.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Finland's decision to close its border crossings with Russia over a surge in migrants was a security matter for the whole 27-member bloc to consider.

"We all know how Putin and his allies instrumentalise migrants to test our defences and to try to destabilise us," she said.

"Now Putin is focusing on Finland, and this is no doubt in response to your firm support of Ukraine and your accession to NATO."

Finland shares a 832-mile (1,430km) land border with Russia.

"This is not just about the security of Finland, but it is about the security of the European Union. We are in this together," Ms von der Leyen said after visiting the border in Lappeenranta with Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

"We should be more Finnish when it comes to security."

Finland joined NATO in April 2023 in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in a major blow to President Putin.

Slovaks angered at their government's refusal to give military aid to Ukraine have raised nearly €2m (£1.7m) in a drive to help supply ammunition to Kyiv.

Although ammo supplies are a pressing need for Ukraine after two years of war, Slovakia has refused to join a plan led by the Czech government to buy hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds for Ukraine.

"When I heard about the Czech government's initiative, I was very pleased to hear that all ways are being sought to help Ukraine defend itself against the [Russian] aggressor, because there is no other way," said Otto Simko, a 99-year-old Holocaust survivor and journalist who helped spearhead the Slovak crowdfunding campaign.

In a video posted on the crowdfunders' YouTube page he said Russia needed to be expelled from Ukraine so "peace can be spoken of on terms that suit Ukrainian independence".

Slovakia halted state military aid to Kyiv last year, arguing the conflict did not have a military solution.

It is "imperative" Ukraine gets more resources immediately to help it fight off Russia's invasion, the US secretary of state has said after a meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) major democracies.

"It needs more air defences, it needs more munitions, it needs more artillery - allies and partners including the G7 countries are committed to delivering on that," Antony Blinken added.

Mr Blinken went on to say that if China wants better relations with Europe it cannot continue helping Russia while it attacks Ukraine, adding that Beijing was the primary contributor to Russia's defence industrial base.

He made the remarks after Kyiv's foreign minister said the G7 had identified "specific steps" needed to help Ukraine in its fight against Russia, Kyiv's foreign minister has said.

Dmytro Kuleba also warned Europe would be engulfed by war if Russia triumphed in its invasion.

"We identified specific steps which Western partners will make to help Ukraine," Mr Kuleba told reporters on the Italian island of Capri, where G7 foreign ministers are meeting.

He said the West had the capacity "to provide Ukraine with all necessary resources as soon as possible to save Europe from a larger war."

Meanwhile, Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani said the G7 was looking to see if it could use frozen Russian assets held in the West and not just the interest from the funds.

Mr Tajani said there was an established legal basis for using the interest from the frozen funds, but experts were now looking to see if the capital itself could be used to help Ukraine.

The West has frozen some $300bn (£241bn) of sovereign Russian assets, which the UK and US want to be used to pay for the Ukraine war effort - though European Union member states have questioned the legality of such a move.

A Polish man has been arrested over allegations of being ready to help Russia's military intelligence in an alleged plot to assassinate Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Polish prosecutors said.

The man, identified only as Pawel K, was accused of being prepared to pass airport security information to Russian agents and was arrested in Poland on Wednesday, the office of Poland's National Prosecutor said in a statement.

The man was seeking contact with Russians directly involved in the war in Ukraine and was expected to pass on detailed information about the Rzeszow-Jasionka airport in south-eastern Poland, near the border with Ukraine, it said.

The airport is under the control of US troops and serves as a gateway for international military and humanitarian supplies for Ukraine.

If convicted, the man could face up to eight years in prison, the statement said.

It said the arrest was the result of close cooperation with the prosecutors and security services of Ukraine, who tipped them off and provided crucial evidence.

The Kremlin has declined to comment.

It comes after German prosecutors said two German-Russian men had been arrested on suspicion of espionage (see 8.44 post yesterday).

One of them is accused of agreeing to carry out attacks on potential targets including US military facilities in the hopes of sabotaging aid for Ukraine.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has visited troops near the frontline in the east of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian president joined a paratroopers' medical platoon in the Donetsk region.

"Today - Donetsk region. Visited our defenders who are under treatment," he said on Telegram.

Mr Zelenskyy said he talked with the soldiers and gave them awards, adding: "Thank you for your service and protection of Ukraine! Our country is proud to have such soldiers."

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free