Electrical faults and power problems
A circuit that won’t stay on, a power point that’s gone dead, or a safety switch that keeps tripping. Tell us what’s happening and we’ll pass it to a licensed local electrician.
Referral service. Electrical work is done by independent licensed electricians.
If it’s dangerous, don’t wait
If there’s fire, smoke or someone has had an electric shock, call 000 first. If you smell burning or see sparks, keep away from the area, and turn the power off at the switchboard only if it’s dry and safe to reach.
For everything else, such as a circuit that keeps tripping, power points that don’t work or lights that flicker, tell us what’s happening and we’ll pass it to a licensed electrician. A fault is easier and cheaper to fix when it’s found early.
- Fault findingTracing why a circuit, light or power point has stopped working.
- Tripping safety switchesWorking out what’s causing a safety switch to trip.
- Power loss in part of the houseFinding the fault when some power points or lights have no power.
- Burning smells and hot fittingsChecking and making safe fittings that are hot, discoloured or smell.
- Storm damageChecking and repairing electrical damage after storms.
Power gone off? Do this first.
Pick what’s happening. These are general safety steps, not a repair guide. Never open the switchboard or touch wiring.
Report a faultSome power points or lights have no power
- Look at the switchboard. A switch that has flicked down, or a safety switch that has tripped, is the most common cause.
- Unplug or switch off the appliances on that circuit, then flick the switch back up once.
- If it trips again straight away, leave it off. Something is wrong and it needs checking.
- Tell us what’s happening, and what was running when it tripped.
No power anywhere in the house
- Look outside. If the neighbours or the street have no power too, it’s likely a network outage.
- If it is an outage, contact your electricity network provider. Their details are on your bill.
- If only your house is off, check the main switch and safety switches at the switchboard.
- If it’s only your house and the switchboard isn’t the answer, tell us.
If there is fire or smoke, get out and call 000.
Burning smell, sparks or a hot fitting
- Keep away from the area. Don’t touch the fitting or anything wet near it.
- If it’s dry and safe to reach, turn the power off at the switchboard. If you’re not sure, leave it.
- Don’t use that circuit again until it’s been checked.
- Tell us, or call, and say what you saw and smelled.
Water near power, or after a storm
- Stay away from wet power points, fittings and the switchboard.
- If it’s dry and safe to reach, turn the power off at the main switch.
- Don’t use anything that’s been wet until a licensed electrician has checked it.
- Tell us what’s been affected.
General safety information only. If anyone is in danger, or there is fire or smoke, call 000.
How it works
- 1
Make it safe first
Follow the steps in the guide above. If anyone is in danger, call 000.
- 2
Tell us what’s happening
Or call. Say where the fault is and what you’ve seen.
- 3
Passed to a licensed electrician
They contact you as soon as they can.
- 4
Found, fixed and tested
The fault is traced, repaired and tested.
Worth knowing
We don’t promise a response time
How quickly an electrician can come depends on the day and what else is on. If it’s urgent, say so in the form, or call.
Don’t keep resetting a tripping switch
If it trips again straight away, something is wrong. Leave it off and have it checked.
Outages in the street
If the whole street has no power, it’s a network issue. Contact your electricity network provider rather than an electrician.
Is this an emergency service?
We pass your enquiry to a licensed electrician. If anyone is in danger, call 000. If it’s urgent, tick “Right now” in the form or call, and the electrician will respond as soon as they can.
The power is out. Is it my house or the street?
Check whether your neighbours also have no power. If they do, contact your electricity network provider. If it’s only your house, check your switchboard, and if it’s not just a tripped switch, send us the details.
Why does my power keep tripping?
It can be an overloaded circuit, a faulty appliance, water getting in or a wiring fault. Unplug appliances on that circuit and, if it keeps happening, have it looked at.
Other electrical jobs
RCDs and safety switches
Install, test or replace safety switches (RCDs).
Learn more CCT 03Switchboard upgrades
Replace old, overloaded or unsafe switchboards.
Learn more CCT 06Smoke alarms
Install, replace or check smoke alarms.
Learn moreWe cover Shellharbour, Kiama, Gerringong and Jamberoo.
Tell us what you need.
It takes about a minute. We’ll pass it to a group of independent licensed local electricians, and one of them will contact you. If it’s urgent, call.
- Licensed electricians only
- Sending an enquiry is free
- Shellharbour to Gerringong and Jamberoo
Thanks, friend.
We’ve got your details and we’re passing them to an electrician now. They’ll contact you as soon as they can.
Your email app should have opened with your enquiry ready to send. Press send, or call 0400 000 000.