Why Is My Charger Tripping the Circuit Breaker or RCD?

If your MCB or RCBO keeps tripping when you use your charger, this means a safety mechanism is being triggered. The system is designed to cut power before any damage or risk can occur.

Common reasons

• Ground fault or earth leakage from the charger or vehicle.
• Circuit overload (other appliances sharing the same breaker).
• Damaged supply wiring.
• Incorrect breaker or RCD type installed during setup.

Steps to fix the issue

1. Reset the breaker or RCD
   • Switch it fully off.
   • Switch it back on.
   • Watch closely: does it trip right away, or only when charging starts?
2. Inspect the environment
   • Look for water, damp patches, or signs of damage near the charger or cabling.
   • Do not touch exposed wiring.
3. Test with another vehicle and cable (if possible)
   • If a second vehicle charges without tripping, the issue may be with your car.
4. Call a qualified electrician
   • If the breaker keeps tripping, don’t continue resetting it.
   • An electrician must test the circuit, RCD, and charger.

Quick summary

• Frequent tripping is a safety signal.
• Reset once and try again.
• If it repeats, don’t force it — call an electrician to check your setup.

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