When the electricity suddenly goes off, the first question is whether the problem affects the local area or originates inside your property.
The correct response depends on where the fault is located. Electricity network operators deal with interruptions to the external supply, while an electrician investigates faults within your home or commercial premises.
Here are several safe checks that can help you understand what may have happened.
Check Whether Nearby Properties Have Power
Look through a window to see whether neighbouring properties and streetlights still have electricity. Avoid leaving the property if doing so would put you at risk.
If several buildings are dark, the problem is more likely to involve the local electricity network. You can call 105 to report or obtain information about a power cut.
If surrounding properties have electricity, the problem may be limited to your building.
Is the Entire Property Affected?
A complete loss of electricity could involve:
- The incoming electrical supply
- The main switch
- A consumer-unit fault
- An RCD protecting several circuits
- Damage within the installation
If only one room or group of sockets has stopped working, an individual circuit may have tripped.
Check whether your lights, sockets and hardwired appliances are all affected. This information will help an electrician assess the situation when you call.
Look at the Consumer Unit
You can visually check the consumer unit without removing its cover. A breaker or RCD in a different position from the others may have tripped.
Before attempting one reset, unplug the appliances operating when the power failed. Do not reset the circuit when there are burning smells, sparks, water damage or visible electrical deterioration.
If the switch trips again immediately, leave it off. Repeated resetting will not repair the fault.
Could an Appliance Be Responsible?
Think about what was being used immediately before the electricity failed. Kettles, ovens, washing machines, dishwashers, heaters and outdoor equipment can develop faults that operate a protective device.
Disconnect the suspected appliance and do not use it until it has been checked. If the circuit remains off after the appliance is removed, the problem may involve another item or the fixed wiring.
What if Power Comes Back by Itself?
An intermittent supply can be more difficult to diagnose than a permanent outage. Loose connections, failing accessories and certain appliance faults may appear and disappear.
Restored power does not necessarily mean the installation is safe. Arrange testing if the problem repeats or is accompanied by flickering, buzzing, heat or electrical burning smells.
When Should You Call an Emergency Electrician?
Contact an electrician when:
- Other properties have power but yours does not
- Only part of your property has lost electricity
- The consumer unit will not reset
- Power fails whenever a particular circuit is used
- You notice heat, sparks or burning smells
- The outage follows water entering the property
A 24-hour emergency electrician in Kingston can establish whether the problem is within your installation and identify the circuit or component responsible.
What Information Should You Provide?
When calling, explain:
- Your Kingston postcode
- Whether the entire property is affected
- Which breakers have tripped
- What equipment was being used
- Whether you noticed sounds, smells, heat or sparks
- Whether neighbouring properties still have power
Accurate information helps the electrician assess the urgency and prepare for the likely type of fault.
Lost Power in Your Kingston Property?
If the network is operating normally but your property remains without electricity, arrange professional fault finding.
