What electrical fault finding involves
Electrical fault finding is the process of identifying the root cause of a specific electrical failure — not guessing, not resetting the board and hoping. We use a calibrated multifunction tester to carry out insulation resistance tests, continuity checks and circuit testing to locate where a fault is and why it is occurring.
Many electrical faults are intermittent or non-obvious. A circuit that trips once and then works may have a loose terminal, damaged insulation, or a failing component. We work systematically — starting with the symptoms, isolating the affected circuit, and tracing through until the cause is identified.
Common faults we diagnose
- RCD tripping repeatedly — indicates earth leakage on a specific circuit; we test each circuit in turn to identify which one is causing the RCD to operate
- Circuit breaker tripping — caused by overload, short circuit, or wiring fault; we trace the circuit to find the cause rather than simply replacing the MCB
- Partial power loss — some circuits working, others dead; often a failed MCB, loose connection at the consumer unit, or main supply issue
- Intermittent faults — appear and disappear without obvious cause; typically a loose terminal, damaged cable sheath, or failing component
- Dead sockets or switches — failed component, broken wiring, or fault on the circuit upstream
- Flickering lights — loose connection, failing lamp, or circuit issue at the rose or switch
- Electric shock from fittings — an earth fault; requires immediate investigation and should not be ignored
How we approach fault finding
Before any testing, we ask about the symptoms — when the fault started, what changed beforehand, whether it is consistent or intermittent, and what circuits are affected. This initial assessment narrows the likely causes and avoids unnecessary work.
We then test systematically using calibrated equipment: insulation resistance testing, continuity, RCD trip times, and circuit isolation. We report clearly on what we find before carrying out any repair work.
When an EICR may be more appropriate
If you want a full condition report of the entire electrical installation — rather than tracing a specific known fault — an EICR is the right starting point. An EICR checks the whole installation and produces a formal report with graded observations. If fault finding uncovers issues beyond the immediate problem, we will advise honestly on whether further work or a full inspection makes more sense.