Power outage or electrical fault? What to check before calling an emergency electrician
How to distinguish a neighbourhood outage from a property-specific electrical problem and what information an electrician needs.
Updated September 28, 2026First determine whether the outage is broader than your property
Look outside for streetlights or neighbouring buildings, and check your utility’s outage information if you can do so safely. If the wider area is out, an electrician cannot restore the utility supply. If only your property or part of it is affected, the problem may be local.
Do not repeatedly reset a breaker that will not hold
A breaker that immediately trips again can be protecting the circuit from a fault or overload. Repeated resetting without identifying the cause is not a repair. Note which rooms or equipment lost power and whether the issue started when a heater, pump or other large load switched on.
Escalate visible damage
Burning odour, smoke, arcing, melted equipment, water near electrical components or a damaged service connection are higher-risk symptoms. Keep clear of the affected area and describe the condition accurately when requesting emergency help.