Power outage when connecting an appliance

Power outage when connecting an appliance: causes and solutions

A power outage that occurs as soon as you plug in an appliance is a common symptom that can have several causes. It is important not to ignore this problem, as it may signal a dangerous fault in your installation.

Characteristic signs

• The main or sub-circuit breaker trips immediately upon connection
• The RCD trips when a specific appliance is plugged in
• The outage only occurs on certain outlets
• Sparks appear at the moment of connection
• The phenomenon is intermittent or systematic

Most common causes

A trip on connection can be caused by:

• Defective appliance: current leakage or internal short circuit
• Overloaded circuit: total power exceeds the circuit breaker's capacity
• Insulation fault: damaged or ageing wiring
• Faulty outlet: poor contact or loose connection
• Undersized rating: circuit breaker not sized correctly for the circuit

Our intervention

1. Appliance testing to determine if it is the cause
2. Insulation measurement on the affected circuit
3. Rating check on the circuit breaker and cable cross-section
4. Repair or replacement of defective components
5. Compliance check in accordance with NFC 15-100 standard

Prevention tips

• Avoid plugging multiple high-power appliances into the same circuit
• Have your subscribed power rating checked with your energy supplier
• Never replace a circuit breaker with a higher-rated one without professional advice
• Have your electrical installation inspected every 10 years

For any questions or additional information, you can reach us at 06 95 62 24 33, Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm. Outside these hours, this line is reserved for emergencies, available 24/7.