What to expect from an emergency electrician
Losing power or spotting something dangerous in your electrics is stressful. So here’s what to expect from an emergency electrician: they’ll make the situation safe first, find the fault, then fix it or explain what needs doing next. This guide covers what to do before they arrive, what to check on your end, and how to pick someone you can trust.
Common emergency callouts include a switchboard that keeps tripping, no power to part of the house, a burnt-out power point or switch, a burning smell, and storm damage to wiring. Some of these are urgent and some can be made safe and fixed properly a little later. A good electrician will tell you which is which.
Make sure your emergency electrician is licensed and insured
Whether it’s a small repair or a full-blown emergency, only use a licensed electrician. In NSW, most electrical work has to be done by a licensed electrician, so ask who’s coming and check with NSW Fair Trading if you’re unsure. A licence shows they’re trained to do the work to Australian electrical and safety standards.
Check they’re insured too. If something goes wrong on the job and they’re not covered, you could end up carrying the cost.
Choose a residential electrician for home emergencies
Some electricians focus on commercial and industrial sites, some on homes, and some do both. For a problem in your house, call someone who does residential work every week. They know what to look for in a home switchboard, understand common faults in Sydney houses and units, and can usually tell you quickly whether it’s a same-day job.
What to do in an electrical emergency
If there’s immediate danger, like sparking, exposed wiring, smoke or fire, or if someone has been shocked, call 000 first. Get everyone out of the building and keep away from the area. Call an electrician once everyone is safe.
If there’s no immediate danger, the first step is usually to switch off the power at your switchboard. There should be a main switch you can flick to off. If you don’t know how, tell the electrician when you call and they can talk you through it.
Next, work out whether it’s the house or an appliance. A callout for a faulty toaster is money you don’t need to spend. Did the power go out when you plugged in or turned on an appliance? Unplug it, then reset the power at the switchboard. If the power comes back, that appliance is the culprit.
If the power doesn’t come back, unplug everything in the house and try again. If it returns, plug appliances back in one at a time to find the one that’s causing the problem. You won’t need an emergency electrician for that, just a replacement appliance.
If none of this helps, or you’ve got a damaged power point, a hot water system that’s stopped working or lights that flicker, stop there. Don’t open anything up or try to investigate further. Wait for the electrician.
Keep a few things handy before they get there: your address and a clear description of what happened, the location of your switchboard, and a torch. Clear a path to the switchboard, and keep kids and pets away from the problem area. Don’t pick at or reset anything that has burnt, smells or looks melted.
What happens when the electrician arrives
A good emergency electrician will start by making the area safe, which can mean isolating a circuit or switching off power to part of the home. Then they’ll test and find the fault, explain what they’ve found in plain English and tell you what the fix involves, including the cost, before they start. If it’s something bigger, like an old board that needs a switchboard upgrade, they should tell you honestly and let you decide when to do it.
Where they can, they’ll carry out the repair on the spot with the parts on their van. Sometimes a part has to be ordered, and in that case the job is made safe and finished on a second visit.
Our emergency electrician service covers Sydney, with emergency callouts and same-day service available. Our hours are Monday to Friday 7am to 5:30pm and Saturday 7am to 2pm, and we’re closed Sundays. Call Olympic Electrical on 02 8999 3691 or ask for a free quote.
