If your RCCB keeps tripping again and again, it’s not just irritating—it’s a serious safety signal you shouldn’t ignore. Frequent tripping means the RCCB is detecting a leakage current or fault that could potentially lead to electric shock or fire if left unresolved.
In this blog, we’ll cover:
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What an RCCB does in simple terms
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10 common reasons why your RCCB trips frequently
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Step-by-step solutions for each cause
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Why choosing a reliable RCCB brand like BCH Electric makes a big difference in safety and performance
What Does an RCCB Actually Do?
An RCCB (Residual Current Circuit Breaker) is a protection device that constantly monitors the current flowing through the live and neutral wires.
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Under normal conditions, current in live = current in neutral.
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If there is any leakage to earth (for example, through a human body or faulty insulation), the current becomes unbalanced.
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When this imbalance exceeds a set value (like 30 mA, 100 mA, or 300 mA), the RCCB trips (turns OFF) the circuit within milliseconds.
So if your RCCB is tripping, it is doing its job — but now you must find why.
1. Faulty or Damaged Appliances
Why It Happens
One of the most common reasons is a defective appliance such as:
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Old geysers
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Washing machines
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Refrigerators
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Room heaters
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Motors or pumps
Over time, the insulation inside appliances breaks down, causing small leakage currents to the body of the appliance or to earth. The RCCB senses this leakage and trips.
How to Diagnose
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Turn OFF the RCCB.
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Unplug or switch off all appliances on that circuit.
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Turn ON the RCCB.
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Plug in and switch ON appliances one by one.
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When the RCCB trips after switching ON a particular appliance, that device is likely faulty.
Solution
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Stop using the defective appliance immediately.
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Get it repaired by a qualified technician or replace it.
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Never bypass the RCCB just to make the appliance work.
2. Moisture in Wiring, Junction Boxes, or Outdoor Points
Why It Happens
Moisture or water ingress in:
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Bathroom fittings
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Outdoor sockets
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Garden lights
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Terrace points
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Underground cables
can create leakage paths to earth and cause nuisance tripping.
How to Diagnose
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Check for RCCB tripping especially during:
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Rainy season
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After mopping floors
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After bathroom usage
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Inspect damp walls, wet switchboards, or outdoor distribution boxes.
Solution
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Dry the affected areas and ensure proper sealing of outdoor boxes.
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Replace corroded terminals and sockets.
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Improve IP (Ingress Protection) rating of outdoor electrical enclosures.
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Ask a licensed electrician to check for insulation resistance of the wiring.
3. Neutral–Earth Faults
Why It Happens
A very frequent but hidden problem is neutral and earth getting connected at some point in the circuit, such as:
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Inside a junction box
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At a wrongly wired socket
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At appliance terminals
When neutral and earth are bonded downstream of the RCCB, it causes unwanted current paths, leading to continuous or random tripping.
How to Diagnose
Only a qualified electrician should do this:
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Use a multimeter or insulation tester to check between neutral and earth.
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Isolate circuits one by one from the distribution board (DB) and see when the tripping stops.
Solution
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Correct any improper neutral–earth connections.
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Maintain strict separation of neutral and earth in the wiring as per standards.
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Ensure neutral bars and earth bars are properly arranged in the DB.
4. Shared Neutral Between Different Circuits
Why It Happens
Sometimes, to “save wire,” electricians connect the neutral of two different circuits together while using separate phase wires. When one of these circuits is on an RCCB and the other is not, or when they are on different RCCBs, it causes current imbalance and frequent tripping.
How to Diagnose
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If RCCB trips only when certain combinations of lights or appliances are on, shared neutral may be the problem.
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Electrician can trace wiring from DB and identify any looped or borrowed neutrals.
Solution
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Each RCCB-protected circuit must have its own dedicated neutral.
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Rewire the problematic circuits so that live and neutral always belong to the same RCCB.
5. Overloading Plus Leakage
Why It Happens
RCCBs are not designed to protect against overload (that is the job of MCBs), but overloading can stress insulation and increase leakage current, triggering RCCB.
Common causes:
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Multiple high-wattage devices on a single circuit:
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Geyser + washing machine + iron on one line
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Old or undersized wiring unable to handle the load
How to Diagnose
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Check if tripping happens when many appliances run together.
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Check MCB ratings and compare with connected load.
Solution
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Distribute loads across different circuits.
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Upgrade wiring and MCB ratings as per the load calculation.
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Use MCB + RCCB or RCBO (combined protection) for sensitive circuits.
6. Low-Quality or Worn-Out RCCB
Why It Happens
An RCCB itself can become unreliable due to:
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Poor-quality internal components
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Dust, vibration, and ageing
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Inferior manufacturing and lack of quality checks
Such devices may trip without actual leakage or fail to trip when needed—both are dangerous.
Solution
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Periodically test the RCCB using the “TEST” button (at least once a month).
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If it trips randomly, feels warm, or doesn’t pass test button checks, replace it immediately.
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Always choose trusted, tested, and certified brands like BCH Electric for long-term reliability and safety in Indian conditions.
7. Multiple Small Leakages Adding Up (Cumulative Leakage)
Why It Happens
Each electrical device has some small, acceptable leakage current. Individually they might be safe, but when many are running together on the same RCCB, the total leakage may exceed its rated sensitivity (e.g., 30 mA), causing trips.
This is common in:
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Offices with multiple computers
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Homes with many electronic devices
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Industrial panels with several drives and SMPS-based equipment
How to Diagnose
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RCCB trips only when many devices are ON simultaneously.
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Tripping reduces when you switch OFF some loads.
Solution
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Split the load into multiple RCCBs instead of putting everything on one device.
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Use suitable sensitivity levels:
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30 mA for human protection circuits
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100 mA or 300 mA for fire protection on heavy-load circuits (as per design)
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Consult an electrical engineer for selective coordination.
8. Incorrect RCCB Selection (Rating / Type / Sensitivity)
Why It Happens
Using the wrong type of RCCB for the installation can cause nuisance tripping:
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Type AC RCCB used on circuits with electronic loads (inverters, LED drivers, VFDs, SMPS, EV chargers)
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RCCB with too low sensitivity (e.g., 30 mA) on long cable runs or heavy industrial circuits
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Inadequate current rating compared to expected load
Solution
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For modern loads, use Type A or more advanced types as recommended by the manufacturer.
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Select appropriate current rating (In) and sensitivity (IΔn) based on application:
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30 mA – personal shock protection
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100 / 300 mA – fire protection and equipment safety
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Always follow IS/IEC standards and manufacturer selection guides.
9. Wiring Errors in Distribution Box (DB)
Why It Happens
Common DB mistakes that lead to RCCB tripping:
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Mixing neutrals from different RCCBs on the same neutral bar
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Returning neutral of one circuit through another RCCB
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Wrong connections at RCCB input and output terminals
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Loose terminations that cause sparking and intermittent imbalances
How to Diagnose
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If the RCCB trips randomly with no clear pattern, the DB wiring may be suspect.
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Visual inspection by a trained electrician often reveals miswired or loose conductors.
Solution
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Get the DB wiring checked and corrected by a qualified electrician.
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Ensure proper labelling of circuits, neutrals, and earth wires.
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Tighten all terminals to the torque recommended by the manufacturer.
10. Transient Surges, Lightning, or Inverter/Generator Switching
Why It Happens
Brief but high-energy events can cause momentary imbalance:
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Lightning surges during storms
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Sudden switching between mains and inverter/generator
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Starting of large motors or compressors
These may cause RCCB to trip occasionally even if wiring is correct.
Solution
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Install Surge Protection Devices (SPDs) in the main panel.
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Use proper earthing as per standards.
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Ensure inverter and generator wiring is correctly integrated with RCCB circuits.
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If nuisance tripping continues, consult an electrical designer to review system coordination.
Step-by-Step Checklist When Your RCCB Trips
Here’s a quick practical approach:
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Turn OFF the RCCB.
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Switch OFF all MCBs connected under that RCCB.
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Turn ON the RCCB alone.
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If it still trips, RCCB / incoming wiring may be faulty ⇒ call an electrician.
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If RCCB stays ON, turn ON MCBs one by one.
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When a particular MCB causes tripping, focus on that circuit:
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Check appliances
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Check sockets, wiring, moisture
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Check neutral–earth faults
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Never tape, bypass, or forcibly keep an RCCB ON. If it trips, something is wrong and needs to be corrected.
Why Choosing the Right RCCB Brand Matters
Even if your wiring is perfect, a poor-quality RCCB can:
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Trip unnecessarily and cause downtime
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Fail to trip during a real fault — risking electric shock or fire
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Have inconsistent performance over time due to low-grade components
That’s why selecting a reliable manufacturer with strong R&D, quality control, and compliance with Indian and international standards is crucial.
BCH Electric – A Trusted Name for RCCB in India
When it comes to safe, reliable, and durable RCCBs for Indian homes, commercial spaces, and industries, BCH Electric stands out as one of the leading manufacturers in the country.
Key Reasons to Choose BCH Electric RCCBs
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Designed for Indian Conditions
BCH Electric products are engineered keeping in mind Indian voltage conditions, load patterns, and environmental factors like heat, dust, and humidity. -
Compliance with Standards
BCH RCCBs are manufactured to meet relevant IS/IEC standards, ensuring performance, safety, and compatibility with modern electrical systems. -
Wide Range of Ratings & Types
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2-pole and 4-pole RCCBs
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Multiple current ratings for residential, commercial, and industrial use
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Different sensitivities (e.g., 30 mA, 100 mA, 300 mA) to suit specific applications
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High Reliability & Durability
Stringent quality checks, robust design, and long service life make BCH RCCBs a preferred choice for electricians, consultants, and end users. -
Suitable for Diverse Applications
Whether you need RCCBs for:-
Homes and apartments
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Small shops and offices
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Factories and industrial panels
BCH Electric offers solutions that balance safety, performance, and cost-effectiveness.
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How BCH Electric Supports Safer Installations
By using BCH Electric RCCBs as part of your electrical system design, you can:
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Reduce the risk of electric shocks
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Minimise chances of electrical fires due to leakage currents
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Enhance system reliability with fewer nuisance trippings when correctly selected and installed
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Build trust for end-users, builders, and industries with a recognised and dependable brand in the electrical domain
When combined with proper wiring practices, good earthing, and the right selection of MCBs and SPDs, BCH RCCBs help create a comprehensive protection system.
Final Thoughts
If your RCCB is tripping frequently, don’t ignore it and don’t just reset it repeatedly:
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It might be telling you about a hidden fault, moisture, damaged appliance, or wiring error.
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Use the 10 reasons and solutions explained above as a guide.
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Always involve a qualified electrician for testing and rectification.
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And for long-term reliability, insist on high-quality RCCBs from trusted manufacturers like BCH Electric.
