Most electrical problems can’t wait longer – the more you delay, the greater the chances of putting life and property at risk.
Electrical emergencies can come in various forms. You may think that a slight burnt smell, a dimming light, or a sudden spark are nothing more than an annoyance, and continue to ignore them.
But, you’d be wrong!
The moment you detect an electrical emergency at your home or business, the first thing you should do is get in contact with an emergency electrician instead of sleeping on it.
And there are plenty of reasons why…
When should you call an emergency electrician?
Electricity is dangerous – whether it’s a complex commercial electrical set-up or your home appliances, either can be deadly when something goes wrong.
And it isn’t just the risk of electrocution, either – did you know that electrical problems account for the majority of home fires?
It isn’t just houses, either – our commercial electrical company has also attended many businesses where they’ve run into issues following an electrical emergency.
Even if it only seems like a minor issue, any electrical fault poses a considerable risk – the moment you encounter one of the following issues at your business or home, we suggest getting in touch with a sparkie, ASAP!
1. What happens if suddenly, electricity goes off?
Call a sparkie to deal with a sudden power shutdown
Sometimes, blackouts occur because of issues with your electricity provider. Other times, you’re the only shop in the strip or the only house in the neighbourhood that doesn’t have any power.
When this happens, it’s likely an issue with your property specifically – one that could be dangerous, and which should be checked out by a professional.
Sometimes, it’s relatively harmless like a safety breaker triggering to protect you from an unexpected power surge – other times, the cause of your unexpected power shutdown might be coming from faulty electrical wiring or other issues.
The only way to be sure is to get in touch with an emergency electrician and ask them their professional opinion!
2. Wet power outlets
Water and electricity are a bad mix!
Everybody knows that water acts as a conductor for electricity. When it comes to your business or home, this can result in a much higher chance of electrocution, as water allows electricity to spread much further.
So with that in mind, it’s little wonder that any leaks, wet power outlets and other water-related issues should be examined by an emergency electrician owing to the sheer danger and risk present!
3. Smoke or burning smell – what are the signs of an electrical fire?
When you pick up on a burning smell or smoke coming from an overheated electrical outlet in your home or business, the first thing you should do is get in touch with emergency services.
Once the fire brigade has turned up and done their thing, the next thing you should do is get in touch with an emergency electrician to assess the damage, and (hopefully) provide a repair.
Oftentimes, if you can smell a burnt plastic smell, this could be a sign of issues such as frayed or damaged electrical wiring – when ignored, these could go from causing smoke to causing a disastrous fire.
4. Flickering lights
It may not sound like an emergency, but in many cases, flickering lights can be a sign of an electrical emergency bubbling away under the surface.
Specifically, it can indicate an underlying electrical issue that needs to be addressed such as:
- Damaged or worn-out light switches
- Outdated electrical wiring
- Loose fittings
- Overloaded circuits
Each of these have the potential to cause significant damage and increase the risk of an emergency if left alone – that’s why it’s best to get an emergency electrician to look at them now, before it gets worse.
5. Circuit breaking tripping
Your circuit breaker serves as a protection from sudden electrical surge or complication that may happen in your electrical circuit. It may go off occasionally in response to power surges and other issues.
When it’s going off on a regular basis however, this points to a chronic issue with your property’s electrical circuitry and wiring!
Frequent tripping of your circuit breaker can damage your fuse and even your appliances.
The first is especially worrying – if your breakers and fuses are wearing out thanks to frequently activating, you have to ask yourself whether or not they’ll be able to help you when something worse occurs.
It may be only a minor issue – alternatively, it could be a major fault with your circuitry and wiring. Either way, it shouldn’t be ignored.
Not only do you risk leaving an undiagnosed problem, but it’s also plain annoying to have your home routine or work schedule interrupted by frequent circuit breaker action.
6. Outlet sparks and humming and buzzing sounds
Sparks and humming and buzzing sounds should never occur – so if you notice any of these, take it as a sure sign that something’s wrong!
A properly-installed and well-maintained system should be well-insulated, preventing sparks from leaking out as well as ensuring that you don’t need to put up with constant buzzing and humming.
If you detect any of these, it’s a sign that your insulation is failing, putting you at risk of electrocution and electrical fires.
What should you do in an electrical emergency?
DON’T use water to put out electrical fires
Water and electricity can never go together. To avoid electrocution and the danger of fire, never use water to fight fire, as this can have the side effect of dramatically increasing your risk of electrocution.
Instead, use a fire blanket or extinguisher.
Do: Have fire extinguishers available
Keep fire extinguishers nearby in areas that are easy to reach – specifically, ensure that your business has appropriate fire extinguishers for all types of fires, including electrical ones.
Do: Save the number of an emergency electrician to your contacts
Electrical problems can occur at any time – and when they do, time is of the essence. That’s why it’s so important that you have an emergency electrician saved to your phonebook so you don’t have to waste minutes flipping through Yellow Pages or frantically Googling.
Do: Know where the main power supply is
Cutting off power during electrical emergencies helps protect your business or home from further damage and danger. That’s why it’s so important that you know where the main power supply is located, and how to turn it off.
Don’t: Use faulty and damaged appliances
Replace any faulty and damaged appliances, as this increases the risk of both electrical shocks and fires.
Don’t: Use damaged cords
Just as with faulty and damaged appliances, it’s important that you discard and replace any damaged and old cords that you’ve been using, as they can be one of the most common sources of electrical emergencies.
Call Powermaster for emergency electrical services today!
Electrical emergencies can happen anytime – that’s why it’s so important that you have an emergency electrician saved to your contacts, ready to leap into action the moment an electrical issue arises at your business or home.
Powermaster Electrical is committed to giving you high-quality electrical services. You can be sure that we’ll be there in times of electrical emergencies, whether the issue is commercial or domestic in nature.
Our team is made up of experienced electrical contractors who have experience providing a variety of different commercial (and residential) electrical services, from electrical fit-out to ongoing electrical maintenance services.
And that includes emergency repairs.
We work hard to ensure we can dispatch rapid-response electricians to take care of all your electrical needs – especially if they pose a serious safety risk. So give us a call, and we’ll dispatch one of our experienced electricians as soon as we can.
Our number is 1300 410 141; alternatively, click here to get in touch online.