Kettle keeps tripping the breaker. Why and how to fix

1) Why is my Kettle tripping the circuit breaker or trip switch?

There can be a number of reasons why the kettle would keep tripping the electrical supply. 

• The Kettle is Faulty
• The Electrical Circuit is overloaded
• There is a fault in the consumer unit or electrical panel
• There is a short circuit somewhere
• The breaker is faulty
• The plug socket is damaged

2) The Kettle is Faulty

When an electric kettle goes faulty, there can be other issues that occur such as a circuit breaker, GFCI or RCD tripping, blow fuses in the panel or fuse box and if there is a fuse in the plug (UK plugs) this can blow also. If the plug is not fused then it is likely that the GFCI or RCD breaker will trip first. 

One of the most common reasons for electric kettle failure is the heating element beginning to fail. This may cause intermittent problems at first and eventually lead to a circuit breaker, RCD or GFCI tripping every time the kettle is turned on. 

If you find that your KETTLE TRIPS THE ELECTRIC, check the power cord for the kettle and ensure that there is no damage, frayed wiring on the cord can lead to electrical issues and the assumption of a faulty appliance. Where the plug top can be accessed, check the wiring inside for signs of damage, shorting out or blown fuses.

Don't run out and buy a new kettle just yet though because there may be other reasons for the electrical circuit tripping and it may NOT be that the kettle is faulty!

3) The Electrical Circuit is overloaded

An overloaded circuit is a common occurrence where there are many high-power appliances and overloaded electrical outlets. The kitchen circuit is the most commonly overloaded circuit. The microwave, dryer, washer, kettle, toaster, oven, and any electrical appliances with a heating element when used together can create an overload meaning circuit breaker trips, a blown fuse or main breaker tripping out.

In many fuse boxes, the main switch does not trip as it is not designed to. Where the main switch is an RCD device you may find that the kettle trips the mains power to the whole property.

4) There is fault in the consumer unit or electrical panel

If the KETTLE TRIPS THE ELECTRIC, it may not be an issue with the power supply of the electric kettle, the kettle's base, or the heating element. There could be an issue with the main fuse box, consumer unit or electrical panel. Wires inside the unit can short out, become damaged and create an issue where high-power devices will trip the mains supply. A licensed electrician can check the electrical components inside the panel, the electrical circuits, and the electrical system as a whole and determine if there are problems that are causing the nuisance tripping. 

If the kettle appears to trip the power, test the kettle in a different socket to rule out an issue with any one plug socket. If you have separate circuits for the plug sockets downstairs, upstairs and for the kitchen, you could try the kettle on a different circuit to see if there is an issue with a particular circuit.

5) There is a short circuit somewhere

Narrowing down the source of a short circuit can be nearly impossible for anyone other than an electrician. Electrical faults like this are serious problems and a professional electrician with the correct calibrated test equipment is the best bet for finding the source of the problem.

6) The breaker is faulty

Ruling out a short circuit, faulty kettles, problems with electrical wires or the power points themselves only really leaves a potentially faulty breaker. Seek professional help if you suspect a faulty breaker as there can be serious electrical dangers when working inside electrical panels, fuse boxes and consumer units. A kettle trip could indicate a faulty breaker. Circuit breakers are not designed to last forever and can eventually fail causing potential damage to electrical cabling and even giving rise to a risk of electrical fire.

7) The plug socket is damaged

Where a plug socket is damaged there can be many common causes but no outward signs that would indicate damage. Electrical problems often stem from plug sockets, switches and other electrical accessories that have become damaged over time. A wall socket can completely fail, burn out and appear to frame the kettle as the culprit for tripping the electric. If you suspect that the plug socket is damaged then it’s best to try the kettle in a different outlet and see if it trips the next time you turn it on.

A faulty connection between the electrical wiring and the plug socket can trip the power under the right circumstances.

8) Common Questions

8.1) Can I use a kettle on an extension cord?

You can definitely use a kettle on an extension lead but great care must be taken to eliminate potential fire hazards. Make sure that the extension lead is rated sufficiently for the load of the kettle, is fully unwound (if it’s a coil type extension lead) and in good condition otherwise it is possible to overload the extension lead. 

Care should also be taken not to exceed the maximum rating of the extension lead. Each lead will have a maximum safe rating that should be printed on the extension lead somewhere. Other high power appliances such as a hair dryer, toaster, coffee maker, washing machine and microwave oven should not be used on the same extension lead at the same time. 

8.2) Can a kettle trip the electrics if it’s an old kettle?

The older appliances become and the more use they have been subject to, the more likely it is that they will begin to fail. An old kettle can have internal electrical issues, a faulty element or other issues that mean the electricity will trip. 

Before using an appliance, some checks should be carried out. Look for a burn mark anywhere on the appliance, the plug, and the cord to ensure that there are no signs of damage. 

8.3) My kettle trips the electricity in different socket outlets

This would seem that the apparent cause of the tripping is indeed the kettle and not one particular outlet and this may be correct in some cases. There could, of course, simply be issues with the electrical system in general and the kettle, being a high power appliance, is simply exacerbating the situation. 

8.4) If the kettle trips the electrics, is it safe to use?

No. A kettle that trips the electrical system should be replaced for a new device. It is often not worth attempting to discover the underlying problem with a faulty kettle as the appliance is cheap enough to replace and you are likely to do more damage trying to take the appliance apart to investigate the electrical fault. 

9) Summary

Repairing seemingly faulty kettles is often not worth any expense as the cost of replacements kettles is relatively low in comparison to labor costs for investigating the electrical issues with an older electric kettle. 

Just because the KETTLE TRIPS THE ELECTRIC does not mean that the appliance itself is faulty, it may be necessary to carry out some further checks or involve an electrician to establish if there are general electrical faults in your system that result in the kettle tripping the electric.