# Why does my safety switch or breaker trip when it rains? 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) 4. Why does my safety switch or breaker trip when it rains? **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 safety switch or breaker trip when it rains?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/breaker-trips-when-it-rains/) - [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/) Trips in wet weather usually mean water is getting into something electrical; stay clear and have a licensed electrician check outdoor circuits. 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 does rain cause trips? 2. Where does water usually get in? 3. Is it dangerous? 4. Why does it need a licensed electrician? 5. Is the whole neighbourhood affected? 6. What happens when a licensed electrician visits 7. How can I be better prepared for the next storm? 8. Frequently asked questions A safety switch or breaker that trips in wet weather usually means water is getting into something electrical, such as an outdoor power point, light, meter box or damaged wiring. Stay away from anything wet or damaged and have a licensed electrician check the circuits. Call 000 if you see sparks or smoke. ## Why does rain cause trips? Water conducts electricity. When moisture gets into a fitting or cable, some current can leak to earth, which is exactly what a safety switch is built to detect. Heavy rain, humidity and storms are all common triggers in South East Queensland, and some leaks only show up when it is wet. ## Where does water usually get in? - Outdoor power points, garden lights and fittings with worn seals or cracked covers. - Pool and garden equipment, and the cables that supply them. - Wiring in the roof space or eaves where water finds a path in. - The meter box or an outdoor switchboard enclosure that is no longer well sealed. - Damaged cables or conduit that have been exposed to the weather over time. ## Is it dangerous? It can be. Water near electrical fittings raises the risk of electric shock and fire. A trip is the safety system working, but the underlying cause needs attention before the next storm. Please do not touch wet or damaged electrical fittings, do not stand in water near them, and keep children and pets well away. If it is happening right now If you see sparks, smoke or fire, smell burning, or anyone has had a shock, leave the area, keep children and pets with you, and call 000. Do not go near a switchboard or meter box that is wet or has water around it. If a powerline is down or the whole street has lost power, stay well back and contact your network provider’s faults line, and call 000 if anyone is in danger. ## Why does it need a licensed electrician? Finding where water is getting in means testing outdoor and roof-space circuits and inspecting fittings. This is electrical work. In Queensland, it must be done by a licensed electrician, and the Electrical Safety Office Queensland is the regulator. A licensed electrician can find the entry point, repair or replace the damaged parts and tell you whether the outdoor circuits are protected properly. ## Is the whole neighbourhood affected? Storms often cause street-wide outages. If your neighbours also lost power, the fault is likely on the network rather than in your home, and your network provider’s faults line is the right contact. If only your house is affected, treat it as a household electrical fault. What you can safely check From a dry and safe distance, and without touching anything, note when the trips happen (during rain, after rain or in humid weather), which rooms or outdoor areas lose power, and any visible damage such as cracked outdoor fittings or covers. Take photos if you can do so safely. ## What happens when a licensed electrician visits 1. They ask about the pattern — Your notes about timing, weather and affected areas help narrow down where water is getting in. 2. They inspect and test circuits — The electrician checks outdoor circuits, fittings and the switchboard enclosure, using proper test equipment. 3. They fix the entry point and explain — Damaged or worn parts are repaired or replaced, and the electrician explains anything that should be improved before the next wet season. ## How can I be better prepared for the next storm? The most useful step is to have outdoor and roof-space circuits looked at before the wet season rather than after the next trip. A licensed electrician can check whether outdoor fittings suit the conditions, whether seals and covers are intact and whether any wiring has been exposed. If you have noticed trips in wet weather before, tell them, because the pattern helps them find the entry point faster. After any significant storm damage, ask a licensed electrician to inspect before relying on affected circuits again. ## Frequently asked questions - Water may be seeping slowly into a fitting or cable and take time to cause a leak. A licensed electrician can find where. - If a fitting is wet, cracked or has tripped the power before, keep away from it and have it checked by a licensed electrician. - Yes, humidity and condensation inside fittings or enclosures can cause small leaks to earth, especially where seals are worn. - If the problem looks like it is on the network side or affects the street, contact your network provider's faults line. Otherwise call a licensed electrician. - They may seem to, but the cause usually remains and will return in the next wet spell. It is worth having it checked. [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/) - [ElectricalI got a tingle or shock from a tap or appliance: what do I do?Stop using it, keep everyone away, get medical advice and call your network provider's faults line, then a licensed electrician; 000 if anyone is hurt.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/tingle-shock-from-tap-or-appliance/) - [ElectricalWhy is my house the only one without power?If neighbours still have power, the fault may be in your home's own electrical installation; check the outage map and call a licensed electrician.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/only-my-house-no-power/) - [ElectricalWhat do I do in an electrical emergency, fire or shock?For fire, smoke, sparks, a shock or anyone hurt, get everyone out and call 000, and do not touch the equipment or the person.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/electrical-emergency-what-to-do/) ## 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 does rain cause trips? 2. Where does water usually get in? 3. Is it dangerous? 4. Why does it need a licensed electrician? 5. Is the whole neighbourhood affected? 6. What happens when a licensed electrician visits 7. How can I be better prepared for the next storm? 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/breaker-trips-when-it-rains/ Site index for agents: [llms.txt](https://arlite.co/llms.txt), [sitemap](https://arlite.co/wp-sitemap.xml), [developer resources](https://arlite.co/developers/).