what keeps tripping my electrics?!

[KnittingForMittens]

Sorry if this is in the wrong section? I have an iron which is only about 6 months old and I have only just started to use it once a week for a month. I've moved the ironing location so I can plug the iron into an extension lead as it isn't quite long enough (the extension lead has 5 ports and there's nothing else plugged into them except the iron), and now it keeps tripping.

It has tripped three times so I've had to plug the iron back into the mains (and put up with a shorter wire) to see if that solves the problem. But does this mean the extension lead is faulty or is it the iron itself?

It's just a standard Wilkinson brand iron... I picked it up in an emergency when my Morphy Richards one decided to pack up.

If the iron doesn't trip when plugged directly in then it's the extension lead that is faulty

Probably the extension cord is rated high enough, check the maximum output

Plug something else into the extension lead instead to test it.

Test the iron plugged directly into wall socket.
Test something of similar voltage plugged into extension lead.

It has tripped three times so I've had to plug the iron back into the mains (and put up with a shorter wire) to see if that solves the problem. But does this mean the extension lead is faulty or is it the iron itself?

It depends, has it solved the problem?

If the iron works when plugged into the wall, then it's not the iron.

Sounds like your extension lead has a fault.

The iron could be overloading the extension lead.

They're not really suitable for anything that gets hot, as the power is higher than TVs/phones/computers etc.

The most probable thing is that your extension lead isn't rated high enough for an iron so it's doing what it's supposed to do to keep you safe and cutting out.
Most standard electrical extension cables will only be fused for 3amps. An iron/ kettle/ tumble dryer/washing machine/toaster are 13amps.
Generally you should only plug them into the mains unless you have a special extension cable.

Depends on the type of extension cable though. I have one that runs my washing machine and tumble drier - it's one of the heavy duty ones.