Breaker Won't Stay On? We'll Test It and the Circuit It Protects in Solihull
We find out whether the breaker has failed or is correctly responding to a circuit fault, then make a safe, evidence-based repair.
Booking fee plus hourly labour — the price is confirmed before any work starts.
What this costs
| Booked 14+ days ahead | £25 booking fee £85 per hour |
|---|---|
| Booked within 48 hours | £100 booking fee £65 per hour |
| Same-day call-out | £220 booking fee £45 per hour |
The booking fee secures the visit. Labour is then charged by the hour, so you only pay for the time the job actually takes.
Booking fee £25–£220
£25 + £85/hr booked 14+ days ahead, £100 + £65/hr inside 48 hours, £220 + £45/hr same day. Agreed before we arrive.
Covered under Power Outages
Electrical › Power Outages — one of 16 documented jobs in this section.
Same-day faulty circuit breaker
Urgent jobs can often be booked for today. Ask when you book and we will confirm the slot before you pay anything.
15 service areas
Birmingham, Coventry, Dorridge and 12 more across the West Midlands.
Why a breaker trips
A circuit breaker disconnects power when current or another measured condition exceeds its safe limit. It may operate because of an overload, short circuit, damaged cable, faulty appliance or a problem with the breaker itself. A breaker that feels loose or will not latch can indicate mechanical failure, but a replacement must not be fitted until the circuit has been checked. If the breaker trips as soon as it is reset, the protected circuit likely still needs investigation.
Safe first steps
Do not hold the breaker in the on position or keep resetting it. If there are no signs of damage, you can unplug portable devices on the affected circuit and leave the breaker off. Do not remove the consumer-unit cover or touch internal parts. A burning smell, hot board, crackling, scorch marks or water near the unit means keep clear and arrange urgent help. If it is safe, switch off the main switch; otherwise do not approach the board.
Testing the device and what it feeds
The electrician checks which circuits are affected and confirms whether the breaker has operated mechanically or in response to a fault. They inspect the consumer unit and test the downstream wiring and accessories. Where an appliance may be involved, the engineer considers whether the symptoms follow that item without asking you to recreate a dangerous condition. Tests help show whether the breaker is defective, whether the circuit has a fault, or whether excess load is causing it to disconnect. The visible switch is only one part of the diagnosis.
Replacing a breaker is not always the fix
If testing confirms a failed breaker and the circuit is otherwise suitable, the electrician can explain replacement with an appropriate device. If a wiring fault or appliance is responsible, that needs separate attention; a new breaker would simply trip again. The rating and compatibility of protective equipment matter, so a larger breaker should never be used as a shortcut. The proposed work and full cost are explained before it begins, and the circuit is tested after repair before being returned to use.
Keeping protection effective
Breakers are safety devices, not inconvenience switches. Never tape one in place, bypass it or alter the consumer unit yourself. Keep the board accessible and note which circuit the device protects, especially if labels are unclear. Avoid overloading outlets while the cause is being investigated. If the problem follows one appliance, leave that item unplugged. Tell the engineer about recent renovations or electrical work, since a drilled cable or changed fitting can affect the circuit even when the breaker looks normal.
After the repair
Ask whether the breaker was replaced, what circuit checks were made and whether any appliance must remain disconnected. If it trips again, leave it off and report the conditions instead of repeatedly operating it. A replacement device should operate normally under intended use, but a new trip is still a reason to investigate. Keep the consumer-unit labels current so a future fault can be isolated without affecting unrelated circuits.
Arrange a breaker fault visit
If a breaker will not reset or trips repeatedly, book an electrician to inspect the device and circuit. Same-day and emergency appointments may be available. You pay a booking fee when booking; labour is billed hourly at a rate that varies with how soon you need us. The full work cost is provided before starting and requires your approval.
If the breaker is not the only issue
A device that appears to have failed may be reacting to a problem elsewhere, such as moisture in an accessory or insulation damage along the circuit. That is why a replacement is followed by circuit checks, not treated as proof that everything is resolved. If the breaker cannot be operated safely because the board is hot or damaged, leave it alone and wait for the electrician.
How the price works
We charge a booking fee to hold your slot, then an hourly rate for the work itself. The fee changes with how soon you need us; the hourly rate changes with the slot you choose. You approve the price before we start, so there is no surprise on the invoice.
Booked 14+ days ahead
£25 booking fee
then £85 per hour of labour
Best value. Book the slot now, pay the smallest booking fee.
Booked within 48 hours
£100 booking fee
then £65 per hour of labour
For jobs that can wait a day or two but not a fortnight.
Same-day call-out
£220 booking fee
then £45 per hour of labour
Urgent problems: standing water, no heat, no power, leaks.
Book the slot
Choose the window that suits you and pay the booking fee. That holds your place in the diary.
We diagnose on site
The engineer confirms the cause and tells you what the job involves and how long it should take.
You approve, we work
Nothing goes ahead until you agree the price. Labour is then charged per hour at your slot rate.
A circuit breaker that will not reset may be faulty, but it may also be doing its job by disconnecting a circuit with a fault. We test the breaker and the wiring it protects, so replacing the switch does not leave the real problem behind.
What our customers say about our electrical service
4.6 out of 5 from 11 reviews
Does what it says on the tin
No complaints about the work itself — clear explanation, sensible advice, fair price. Booking online was easy enough once I found the right job page.
Job: Smoke Alarm Replacement
Fixed it, but took longer than expected
Work itself was fine and tidy. Communication beforehand was patchy — I did not get the confirmation message and had to ring to check the slot. Would still use again.
Job: Flickering Outdoor Lights
Turned up when they said
Third time we have used Maintenance Men, and the same experience each time: agreed price, proper explanation, job done in one visit. The hourly rate is fair for the standard of work.
Job: Appliance Causing Power Trip
Book Faulty Circuit Breaker
Tell us what is happening and choose a slot. If you are not sure this is the right job, use the diagnosis panel — it narrows the problem down before you book.
- Booking fee confirmed up front
- Hourly labour, agreed before work starts
- Same-day slots for urgent problems
Questions people ask about faulty circuit breaker
Straight answers to the things customers ask most often before booking.
Can I hold the breaker on to restore power?
No. Do not force or tape a breaker in the on position. If it will not stay on, leave it off until the breaker and circuit have been checked.
How does the electrician test a faulty breaker?
They check the consumer unit and the wiring the breaker protects, then test whether the breaker is responding to a circuit fault or has failed itself. The cause determines the repair.
Is a breaker that trips immediately dangerous?
It indicates a fault or failed device that should be investigated. Keep the circuit off, especially if there is heat, smell, noise or visible damage.
Will replacing the breaker stop it tripping?
Only if testing confirms the breaker itself is faulty and the circuit is otherwise safe. If the wiring or an appliance is the cause, the new breaker may trip too.')],
How is the visit and repair charged?
You pay a booking fee when you book, and labour is charged hourly at a rate that depends on how quickly you need us. The full cost of the work is quoted before we start, so you approve it before any tools come out.
Need faulty circuit breaker sorted in Solihull?
Book a slot in the diary and pay only the booking fee up front. We confirm the rest before we start.