# Why does my fridge keep tripping the safety switch? 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) 4. Why does my fridge keep tripping the safety switch? **Browse support** [Support home](https://arlite.co/support/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) - [How does a solar power system work in a Brisbane home?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-does-a-solar-power-system-work-in-a-brisbane-home/) - [How do I turn off a solar inverter safely?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) - [Do solar panels work during a blackout?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) - [Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/add-battery-to-existing-solar-system/) - [Hail or storm damage to solar panels: what to do](https://arlite.co/support/solar/hail-storm-damaged-solar-panels-what-to-do/) [Air conditioning](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/) - [Why is my air conditioner not cooling or heating properly?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-not-cooling-or-heating/) - [Why is my air conditioner leaking water inside?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-leaking-water-inside/) - [Why does my air conditioner smell musty or like dirty socks?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-smells-musty-dirty-socks/) - [Can solar panels run my air conditioner at night?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/can-solar-panels-run-my-air-conditioner/) - [What should I ask before getting an air conditioner installed?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/questions-to-ask-before-air-conditioner-installation/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) - [Why does my fridge keep tripping the safety switch?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/appliance-tripping-safety-switch/) - [Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/circuit-breaker-keeps-tripping/) - [Why does my safety switch keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-keeps-tripping/) - [Burning smell or hot power point: what to do right now](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [Why is there no hot water? Electrical faults explained](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/no-hot-water-electrical-checks/) [Costs and finance](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/) - [How does interest-free finance work for home energy upgrades?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/interest-free-finance-home-energy-upgrades/) - [What affects the cost of a home battery in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/what-affects-home-battery-cost-brisbane/) - [Can I get compensation for a power outage in Queensland?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/power-outage-compensation-energex/) - [How much does an electrician cost per hour in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/electrician-cost-brisbane/) - [What affects switchboard upgrade cost?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/switchboard-upgrade-cost/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) An appliance that keeps tripping the safety switch may have an earth leakage fault; stop using it and have it checked by a professional. By Aaron Midgley, Arlite Energy Last reviewed 30 October 2026 4 minute read **No DIY.** Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Never open, repair, test or modify electrical equipment yourself, even if it looks simple. This guide explains what is happening; it is not a how-to. **On this page** 1. Why would an appliance trip a safety switch? 2. Is a fridge different? 3. What about power surges? 4. Who should I call: an electrician or an appliance technician? 5. What to do when you contact someone 6. What if the appliance is old? 7. What if several appliances trip it? 8. Frequently asked questions When one appliance, such as a fridge, heater or computer, keeps tripping the safety switch, it often means the appliance, its cord or the power point has an earth leakage fault. Stop using it, keep clear of it, and have a licensed electrician or the manufacturer’s technician look at it. ## Why would an appliance trip a safety switch? A safety switch trips when it senses electricity leaking to earth. Inside an appliance, that can happen when insulation wears, a heating element fails, moisture gets in or a cord is damaged. Appliances with heating elements, motors and compressors, such as heaters, kettles, washing machines and fridges, are common sources. ## Is a fridge different? A fridge matters because food can spoil, which makes it tempting to work around the problem. Please do not run a fridge from an extension lead plugged in elsewhere to avoid the trip. The safety switch is doing its job, and a fault that leaks current in a kitchen is a real shock risk. Contact the retailer, the manufacturer or a technician quickly, and a licensed electrician can check the power point and circuit. ## What about power surges? Online forums often blame surges, but the evidence is mixed. An appliance earth leakage fault is a common reason for repeated trips, and a licensed electrician can tell the difference without guessing. Stop and get help if you notice any of these A burning smell, a hot or damaged cord or plug, sparks, smoke, or any tingle or shock from the appliance. Do not touch it. If there is fire, smoke, sparks or an injury, leave the area, keep children and pets with you, and call 000. Otherwise keep everyone away from the appliance and call a licensed electrician. ## Who should I call: an electrician or an appliance technician? It depends on where the fault is. A licensed electrician checks the circuit, power point and wiring, and electrical work in Queensland must be done by a licensed person, with the Electrical Safety Office Queensland as the regulator. Repairing the appliance itself is a job for the manufacturer, the retailer or a qualified appliance technician. Please do not open the appliance to look inside. What you can safely check Without touching the appliance, write down what it is, the make and model from the label, how old it is, when it trips (on start-up, partway through a cycle or at a particular time) and whether other things on the same circuit also trip. Photograph the label and any error message on its display. ## What to do when you contact someone 1. Give the appliance details — Share the make, model and age, and what happens just before the trip. 2. Describe the circuit — Say which power points or rooms are affected and whether anything else has tripped it. 3. Ask about food or medication — For a fridge, ask the retailer or manufacturer about options, and talk to a pharmacist or doctor if medication is stored in it. ## What if the appliance is old? Ask the technician or retailer whether repair is realistic. Older appliances can develop leakage as parts wear, and sometimes replacement makes more sense than repair. Either way, please do not keep using an appliance that trips the safety switch, and do not dispose of it in a way that could expose anyone to damaged parts. Ask your council or retailer about proper disposal. ## What if several appliances trip it? If different appliances trip the same safety switch, or it trips when nothing obvious is running, the problem may be in the circuit, the power point or the wiring rather than in any one appliance. That is a job for a licensed electrician, and the notes you have made about timing and affected areas will help. ## Frequently asked questions - Yes. As fridges age, wiring insulation and components can deteriorate, which can cause earth leakage. A technician can check it. - It could be either, and sometimes the circuit. A licensed electrician can check the power point and circuit, and a technician can check the appliance. - Probably not. The safety switch is reacting to a real leak, so the cause needs to be found rather than the switch changed. - No. Moving the appliance to another circuit does not remove the fault, and the leak could still cause a shock. [Learn about Electrical](https://arlite.co/services/electrical/) ## Official guidance For the rules and safety information that apply to your home, go to the regulators and industry bodies directly. - [Electrical Safety Office Queensland](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/) - [Energex](https://www.energex.com.au/) Was this helpful? Written by the team at Arlite Energy, a Brisbane business that designs and installs solar, air conditioning and electrical work for homes and businesses. We write these guides in plain English so you know what is happening in your home. ## Related articles - [ElectricalWhy does my safety switch keep tripping?A safety switch keeps tripping when it detects current leaking to earth, such as from a faulty appliance or moisture; never bypass it.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-keeps-tripping/) - [ElectricalAre power boards and double adaptors safe?Power boards and double adaptors are safe only within their rated load; heaters and kettles are the usual overload risk.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/power-board-double-adaptor-safety/) - [ElectricalHow do I know if my appliances are safe?Look for damage and warning signs, check recall notices and the RCM mark, and have secondhand items checked by a licensed electrician.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/are-my-appliances-safe/) - [ElectricalCan I do my own electrical work in Queensland?No: in Queensland electrical work must generally be done by a licensed electrician, with only narrow exceptions for minor tasks.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/diy-electrical-work-legal-queensland/) ## Still stuck? Tell us what is going on and we can arrange a call-out. [Book a call-out](https://arlite.co/contact/) On this page 1. Why would an appliance trip a safety switch? 2. Is a fridge different? 3. What about power surges? 4. Who should I call: an electrician or an appliance technician? 5. What to do when you contact someone 6. What if the appliance is old? 7. What if several appliances trip it? 8. Frequently asked questions --- **Arlite Energy**, Unit 1, 1468 Anzac Avenue, Kallangur QLD 4503. Phone [(07) 3062 9299](tel:+61730629299), email [info@arlite.co](mailto:info@arlite.co). Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. Page: https://arlite.co/support/electrical/appliance-tripping-safety-switch/ Site index for agents: [llms.txt](https://arlite.co/llms.txt), [sitemap](https://arlite.co/wp-sitemap.xml), [developer resources](https://arlite.co/developers/).