Electrical Fault Finding on the Sunshine Coast

A safety switch that won't stay on, lights that flicker when it rains, a power point that's stopped working. Small faults like these are often the first sign of a bigger problem. Fault finding is Dr Watt's specialty: we track down the cause, explain it in plain English and fix it.

Faults we're regularly called out for

• Safety switch keeps tripping, even with nothing plugged in
• Main switch tripping or the whole house losing power
• Power points or lights not working on one part of the house
• Lights flickering or dimming, especially when appliances start
• Faults that only happen when it rains or during humid weather
• Burning smell, buzzing or a warm power point or switch
• Tingles or small shocks from taps, appliances or metal fittings (treat this as urgent) Keep clear and call Energex on 13 19 62.
• Breakers tripping at night or at random times

Why faults are common on the Sunshine Coast

Coastal and hinterland homes face conditions that cause particular faults:

• Moisture. Humid summers, storms and driving rain get into outdoor lights, garden power points, pool equipment and junction boxes in the roof. Water creates a small leak to earth, and the safety switch trips. It's one of the most common causes of "it only trips when it rains".
• Salt air. Close to the beach, connections in outdoor and exposed fittings corrode faster.
• Storms and surges. Lightning activity can damage appliances, electronics and wiring.
• Older wiring and DIY. Many established homes have additions and DIY work done over the decades that don't meet current standards.
• Pests. Rats and possums chew through cables in roof spaces.

How we find the fault

Guessing and swapping parts gets expensive. We work through it methodically:

1. Ask questions first. When does it happen? What's running at the time? Did it start after rain, a storm or new work? The pattern often points to the cause.
2. Isolate the circuit. We work out which circuit is faulty at the switchboard.
3. Test, don't guess. We use insulation resistance testing and other test equipment to find leaks to earth, short circuits and poor connections, including faults you can't see.
4. Separate appliances from wiring. Many trips come from a faulty appliance, not the house wiring. We'll tell you which it is.
5. Explain and quote. We show you what we found and what it'll take to fix. Simple repairs are usually done on the same visit.

Before you call: quick checks

Stop and call for help instead if you see smoke, a burning smell, sparking, unusual heat, water damage, damaged switchboard parts or feel any shock or tingle. For fire or immediate danger, move to safety and call 000. For shocks or tingles, keep clear, do not touch the switchboard and call Energex immediately on 13 19 62.

If there are no danger signs and the switchboard is dry and undamaged, you can switch off and unplug accessible plug-in appliances on the affected circuit and try one reset. If the switch will not reset, or trips again, leave it off and arrange fault finding. Do not disconnect hardwired equipment, open fittings or enter the roof space to investigate.

A trip does not prove the fixed wiring is faulty, and an appliance that was running at the time is not proven faulty either. Testing is the only way to know. Our guide on why your safety switch keeps tripping goes into more detail, and circuit breakers explained covers the difference between a breaker and a safety switch.

Never bypass, hold or tape over a safety switch to keep the power on.

Fault finding costs

Fault finding is generally charged for investigation time, because how long it takes depends on how hard the fault is to find. We explain the applicable charges before arranging attendance, and we won't start a bigger repair without your approval.

Frequently asked questions

Why does my safety switch trip when it rains?

Usually water is getting into an outdoor fitting, a garden power point, a junction box or a damaged cable. The safety switch detects the leak to earth and cuts the power. We test the outdoor circuits to find exactly where.

Is a tripping safety switch dangerous?

The switch itself is protecting you. The fault behind it may be dangerous, especially if it trips repeatedly, so have it found and fixed.

Can you find faults in commercial premises?

Yes. We find faults in shops, cafes, offices and other businesses, including equipment that trips intermittently. See commercial electrician services.

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