Electrical safety should always be a number one priority, whether it is in the home or in a commercial business setting. The potential dangers of everyday electricity are instilled in us from childhood, but what happens when things go wrong?
Faulty wiring, electrical shocks, and strange noises and smells all constitute electrical emergencies.
And for that, you need an emergency electrician. Unlike other DIY projects, you should never attempt electrical work yourself, especially in an electrical emergency. Emergency electricians are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and have the expertise and experience to diagnose your emergency and resolve it as soon as possible.
Don't wait; if you experience any of the following signs, contact emergency electrical services immediately.
What is an Electrical Emergency?
An electrical emergency is a fault in your circuits and wiring that causes a risk to people and property through fire, electrical shock, or other damage. An emergency can be caused by faulty wiring, damage to circuitry, or the eventual result of wear and tear.
Whatever the cause, it's important to move fast, as electrical emergencies represent a real danger, both to yourself and your family, but also to your house and its circuitry and as well as your electrical appliances.
Why You Should Never Ignore Electrical Emergencies
If you can, flick the safety switch in your power box to cut electricity and call a 24/7 emergency electrician immediately. Timely action matters with electrical emergencies, as electrical faults can cause damage to circuits and appliances, resulting in shocks and injury, and even start electrical fires.
By the time you notice some of the following signs, there is a likely real damage has been done and will continue to worsen until the problem is resolved.
Call an Emergency Electrician When you Notice These Signs
1. Frequent Circuit Breaker Trips
The occasional circuit breaker trip can happen from time to time, but if the safety switch is shutting off more regularly, it could be a sign of damage within your wiring. Circuit breakers can trip for a few different reasons. The first is a faulty appliance. If your circuit cuts out every time you use a certain appliance, it may just be that the appliance needs replacing. If not, it could indicate serious wiring issues.
An overloaded circuit is when too many appliances are plugged into a single circuit, causing the trip to prevent overheating and damage to the wiring. This can cause flickering lights, smells of burning plastic or metal, and wires that are warm to the touch. A short circuit is when a hot wire touches a neutral or ground wire, which is a result of worn-out insulation and loose wiring.
2. Burning Smell or Scorch Marks
Smells of burning plastic or metal can indicate that something is melted or operating at too high a temperature and voltage. Identify the source through smell or sighting scorch marks on outlets or against walls. If you notice scorch marks, shut off your power and immediately call an emergency electrician as there are potential risks like fire hazards and further damage to wiring and outlets.
3. Flickering or Dimming Lights
One flickering light is generally a bulb issue, but if all the lights in your house are flickering or dimming constantly, it could be a sign of a faulty wiring connection or overloaded circuits. It can also be a sign of loose or faulty wiring that is not providing a secure connection. Loose wiring can cause sparks or arcing to develop, which can also cause fire risks.
4. Electrical Shocks from Outlets or Appliances
If you feel a zap whenever you touch a metal household appliance or tap, you must immediately call an emergency electrician. It means there is potential danger likely due to improper earthing. When electricity does not have a proper path to reach the ground, it can jump to the nearest available thing—your hand or finger.
Even minor shocks are concerning as they can become more powerful over time as the initial issue worsens without an electrician's urgent intervention.
5. Power Outages in One Area of the Property
Overloaded circuits and wiring issues are both possible causes of power outages in just one area of the property. The wiring may have come loose or become disconnected or too much demand may have overloaded a part of the circuit and potentially damaged a circuit component.
Restoring the power supply requires prompt repair as live wires that have come loose present a danger to both anything they touch and anything else flammable they can reach.
6. Buzzing or Humming Noises
Issues such as short circuits produce sparks and popping sounds, which can create a potential electrical fire hazard, especially inside the walls of a modern home. If you hear these noises coming from a switch or electrical outlet, they might also indicate a loose wire, local circuit overload, or a wire grounding to something it shouldn't, which can cause damage to household appliances or an electric shock when plugging something in.
7. Hot Outlets or Switches
If you can feel heat radiating from electrical outlets, switches, or even appliance cables, immediately switch them off and unplug anything attached. If heat continues to radiate after a few minutes, flick the home safety switch and immediately call an emergency electrician.
Overheating circuitry is a potential electrical fire risk and it does not take long for heat to melt plastic components and compromise the integrity of connections. If you detect heat, it may be a sign that electrical fires are not far away, so take immediate action.
8. Faulty Wiring or Loose Components
These issues are typically more common when buying an older home or after a renovation, as age or direct intervention can interrupt the original workings of the electrical circuits. If you notice wiring that is faulty, outdated wiring, or components that have come loose, isolate the area and warn anyone else nearby.
Cut the power supply to the area and call an electrician immediately to assess the situation.
What to Do Before Calling an Emergency Electrician
Whenever you notice any of the above signs of an electrical emergency, the first thing to do is isolate the area and warn anybody nearby not to go near or touch the outlet, switch, or other component. Next, turn off the power supply to the property by flicking off the safety switch found in the electrical box.
Then call an emergency electrician immediately to come and assess the job. A good emergency electrician, like our experienced team at Easther Electrical, is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
So, don't wait until morning. Keep your family and home safe by cutting the power and waiting for the emergency services of a qualified electrician.
Electrical Emergency FAQs
Should I try fixing minor electrical issues myself?
Absolutely not. The danger of working with home electrical circuits must be left to the professionals. The voltage of a home's electrical system is more than enough to cause serious injury or lethal consequences.
How do I find a reliable emergency electrician near me?
To find emergency electrical services that are reliable and trustworthy, make sure you are dealing with a qualified electrician by checking their website information and online reviews. For a reliable Wollongong electrician, contact the team at Easther Electrical for experience in emergency situations.
How do I know when to call an electrician?
If you are experiencing any of the electrical problems above, from power surges to exposed wires, seeing your lights flicker or tripping circuit breakers, contact an emergency electrician to prevent further damage to your home electrical wiring and circuitry. Electrical faults are not a joke and even if you detect them in the middle of the night, we urge you to pick up the phone and make a call.
Don't Delay Your Electrical Needs
Electrical emergencies happen and can often happen without much warning. However, learning the signs above is your best bet for detecting common electrical emergencies and preserving your home's wiring.
Electrical sparks are extremely dangerous and can cause severe injury and create a potential fire hazard, electrical surges can damage household appliances, and power outages or damaged power outlets can be the warning signs that something dangerous is happening hidden away behind the walls.
These situations require your immediate attention and the immediate support of a licensed electrician. Don't hesitate on what can be substantial safety risks. Contact an Easther Electrical emergency electrician for a safe, professional, and prompt service.