Electrical Fault Finding Exeter
Systematic electrical fault diagnosis across Exeter and Devon. Tripping RCDs and MCBs, intermittent faults, power loss to circuits, and wiring faults found and fixed by NICEIC-registered electricians using calibrated test equipment.
01392 703127Looking for Electrical Fault Finding in Exeter?
Electrical faults are rarely as simple as they first appear. A tripping RCD might be caused by a faulty appliance, a degraded cable, moisture in an outdoor fitting, or a wiring fault that has been building for years. A loss of power to a room might be a tripped MCB, a loose connection at a junction box under the floor, or a fault in the wiring itself. Correct diagnosis before any repair work begins is essential — the wrong fix not only wastes money but can leave the underlying problem in place.
Our NICEIC-registered engineers bring a methodical, evidence-based approach to fault finding. They carry calibrated test equipment — insulation resistance testers, loop impedance instruments, RCD testers, thermal cameras — that can identify faults that are invisible to a simple visual inspection. Rather than guessing and replacing components at random, they work systematically through the installation to narrow down the cause before opening anything up.
The approach is the same whether your circuit is tripping constantly, has lost power entirely, or has an intermittent fault that appears only at certain times of day or under certain load conditions. Intermittent faults are the hardest to diagnose — they may not be present when the engineer arrives — but thorough testing of insulation quality and connection integrity can usually identify the root cause even when the fault is dormant.
Where it is safe to do so, we repair faults in the same visit. Most common repairs — replacing a faulty MCB, RCD, socket, or section of cable — can be carried out with parts from the engineer's van. Where the fault requires more extensive rewiring, we will agree the scope and cost with you before beginning.
What We Cover
The eight most common electrical fault types we diagnose and repair across Exeter and Devon.
RCD tripping — whole circuit
Your RCD cuts power to an entire circuit group. Caused by current leaking to earth — from a faulty appliance, degraded cable insulation, or wiring fault. We isolate the cause systematically.
MCB tripping repeatedly
A single circuit breaker trips when one particular circuit is used. Indicates overload, short circuit, or a specific fault on that circuit. Common in older Exeter properties with additional loads added over decades.
Intermittent faults
Faults that appear and disappear unpredictably. Often caused by loose terminations that heat up and fail under load, thermal faults in overloaded cables, or moisture that evaporates when the installation warms.
Power loss to room or circuit
Lights or sockets in one room, or an entire circuit, have no power while the rest of the property works. May be a tripped breaker, a loose connection at a junction box, or a wiring break.
Appliance-caused faults
Faulty appliances are among the most common causes of RCD trips. We identify the offending appliance through systematic disconnection — plugging each item back in while monitoring the RCD.
Thermal faults from loose connections
Loose terminals create resistance. Resistance generates heat. Heat damages insulation and can cause fires. Thermal imaging cameras detect hotspots before they cause visible failure.
Wiring faults in older properties
Exeter has a significant stock of older housing with wiring installed decades ago. Cable insulation can degrade with age, particularly rubber-insulated cables. Insulation resistance testing reveals the degree of degradation.
Outdoor and underground cable faults
Garden circuits, outdoor sockets, and external lighting are exposed to moisture and physical damage. Earth faults in outdoor circuits are a common cause of RCD tripping in the property.
Who We Help
Homeowners
Electrical faults in the home are disruptive and, in some cases, dangerous. Whether you have lost power to part of your property, have a circuit that keeps tripping, or are concerned about a persistent burning smell or discolouration around a socket, we book a NICEIC-registered engineer to diagnose the problem properly. Most homeowner faults are resolved in a single visit — and you always receive a clear explanation of what was found and what was done to fix it.
Landlords
When a tenant reports an electrical fault, your legal duty is to respond promptly. For faults that could present a safety risk — tripping RCDs, sparking sockets, burning smells — this means booking an engineer urgently. We provide 24/7 emergency booking for tenanted properties and can liaise directly with your tenant for access. After the fault is resolved, we provide a written record of the fault found and the work carried out — essential documentation for your compliance file.
Businesses
An electrical fault in a commercial premises can halt trading, lose refrigerated stock, or create a safety risk for staff and customers. We book commercial fault-finding callouts across Exeter with confirmed arrival times — not call back promises. For businesses where downtime is especially costly, out-of-hours fault finding is available. Most commercial faults are diagnosed and repaired in the same visit using the same systematic approach and specialist equipment as domestic callouts.
The Diagnostic Process
Every fault finding visit follows the same systematic process — from initial conversation through to repair verification.
Initial conversation
Your engineer discusses the symptoms with you: when the fault occurs, how often, which circuits are affected, whether anything has changed recently (new appliances, recent work). This context significantly narrows the search.
Visual inspection
A thorough visual check of the consumer unit, visible wiring, sockets, switches, and light fittings. Scorch marks, discolouration, moisture ingress, and physical damage are all looked for.
Insulation resistance testing
Calibrated test equipment applies a safe test voltage across the circuit wiring to measure insulation integrity. Degraded insulation — whether from age, heat, or physical damage — shows as a low resistance reading.
Earth loop impedance testing
Tests the integrity of the protective earth path on each circuit. High impedance indicates loose connections or inadequate conductors in the earth path.
RCD testing
Verifies that each RCD trips within the correct time and at the correct current. Slow or non-responsive RCDs are a risk even when they appear functional.
Systematic appliance isolation
For RCD trips suspected to be appliance-related, each appliance is methodically disconnected while the circuit is monitored. This quickly identifies faulty appliances.
Repair and re-test
Once the fault is located, the repair is quoted and agreed before work begins. After the repair, affected circuits are re-tested to confirm the fault is fully resolved.
Fault Finding Pricing in Exeter
The diagnostic visit fee covers attendance and investigation. Any repair work is quoted separately once the fault is identified. Your engineer will confirm all costs before proceeding.
How to Book
Call us on 01392 703127
Describe the fault — which circuits are affected, what happens when it trips, and any other symptoms. We will advise whether this needs an emergency callout or can be booked as a standard appointment.
Engineer confirmed
We confirm a NICEIC-registered engineer for your preferred time. For urgent faults, we aim to confirm within 15–30 minutes and arrive within 90 minutes.
Booking deposit confirms your slot
A secure payment link is sent to your phone. Paying the deposit locks in the appointment — your engineer is committed to arriving at the confirmed time.
Diagnosis, quote, and repair
Your engineer diagnoses the fault, explains what they have found, quotes for the repair, and carries it out in the same visit where possible. Re-tests confirm the fault is resolved before leaving.
Why NICEIC Registration Matters for Fault Finding
Electrical fault finding requires both the right equipment and the knowledge to interpret results correctly. An insulation resistance test, for example, gives a reading that needs to be evaluated against the correct reference values for the test voltage applied, the circuit length, and the nature of the installation. A NICEIC-registered electrician has been independently assessed for exactly this kind of technical competence.
Any repair work carried out as a result of fault finding — replacing wiring, circuit breakers, or consumer unit components — is notifiable or certifiable work under the Building Regulations. Only a registered competent person can certify this work without separate Building Control involvement. Our engineers are all NICEIC-registered and can self-certify any repair work they carry out.
We verify NICEIC registration for every engineer before confirming a booking. You can independently check any engineer's registration at niceic.com using their registration number.
Areas We Cover
Fault Finding FAQs
Electrical Fault in Exeter? Book a Diagnosis Today.
NICEIC-registered engineers. Specialist test equipment. Most faults diagnosed and fixed in one visit.
01392 703127Or email us at office@exeterelectricalservices.co.uk