What to Expect from an Emergency Electrician

There are many kinds of home emergencies, but none are more serious than an electrical crisis. So, when you’ve got to make that urgent call, what should you expect from an emergency electrician?

For a start, you would expect prompt service. You would also expect a fully licensed, qualified electrician showing up with all of the necessary tools and equipment. You would expect the emergency electrician to have experience in dealing with your particular problem.

But before making that call, let’s examine what constitutes an electrical emergency. Always put your own electrical safety first. In the case of an electrical fire or serious injury (such as electrocution), dial 000 immediately.

Some minor electrical mishaps can easily be remedied, but then there are more serious issues that should be looked after by a fully qualified emergency electrician.

In the case of medical emergencies (such as electrocution) or an electrical fire, call emergency services immediately on 000.

How do you differentiate an electrical emergency from a minor malfunction? Here’s a list of potential electrical emergencies:

• Loss of power – A power outage could be due to a blackout in the area, so it’s best to check your neighbours’ homes before making a call. It could also be a tripped circuit breaker. But if your property has genuinely lost all power, it’s time to call an emergency electrician.
• If you smell burning – Can you detect the smell of burning plastic? This is a genuine concern that indicates your system is overloaded and you’re on the verge of an electrical fire. Turn off your power at the switchboard and make that call. Electrical fires are potentially dangerous, never try to fight them with water.
• If you see sparks – Sparks coming from any of your outlets is a sure sign that you need an emergency electrician. Once again, turn off your power before making that call. If those sparks become a fire, evacuate the home and call 000.
• Buzzing/humming sounds – If you can hear buzzing or humming coming from your electrical system, it’s a reason to call an emergency electrician. The sound might be coming from your switchboard, which may indicate that a circuit breaker is failing to trip.
• Water in your electrical system – If water gets into your system in any way – through flooding or any kind of accident – turn your power off and make that emergency call.
• Stained outlets – Are there black or brown stains on any of your powerpoints? This is a clear sign of electrical damage, and it means the outlet has been overloaded. Stop using that power point and call an electrician.
• Flickering lights – If your lights start to flicker, that’s a sign of your system experiencing a power surge. This could result in damage to your electrical appliances and system.

These are some of the common electrical emergencies – signs that you’re going to need help from emergency electricians. You may need an emergency electrician immediately, but what should you expect when licensed electricians show up on your doorstep?

When you’re dealing with an electrical emergency, the last thing you want to worry about is the competence of the electrician you’ve just called. So, what are the attributes you’re looking for when you call an emergency electrician?

It’s best to be prepared, so make sure you do some research before an electrical emergency occurs. You may not make the right decision if you’re in a panic.

Here are some attributes to look for:

• Electricians who are fully qualified and licensed
• A 24-hour electrician, available all year round (emergencies don’t always happen in business hours)
• Technicians who are experienced in residential electrical emergencies
• Professionals with public liability insurance
• An emergency electrician service that operates in your area
• Emergency electrical services with an immediate response when you call (if not, look elsewhere)
• Good reviews online – are they prompt and do they do a professional job?

Your 24-hour electrician might solve the immediate problem but, if you find yourself in this dilemma, it might be a sign that your entire system needs an overhaul.

When the electrical emergency has been solved, a responsible electrician will look for the reason it happened in the first place.

It could have been caused by a one-off accident but it’s also possible there are deeper electrical faults in your system.

If it appears to be much more than a faulty appliance or a power surge, your electrician should inspect the following:

• Your home’s wiring – this is particularly important in older homes
• Any loose wiring – all faulty wiring should be repaired or removed
• Electrical outlets – these should all be checked for functionality
• RCD (residual current device) safety switches – faulty safety switches are no good to anyone. RCD switches should be checked regularly
• Switchboard and fuse box – this is the hub of your electrical system and should be in top working condition. Make sure circuit breakers are checked
• Smoke detectors – these should be tested regularly
• Fixtures and fittings – check all switches, fixtures, fittings and appliances.

When you’ve got an urgent electrical problem, remember that local expert electricians can handle everything from power failure to smoke coming from power points or a malfunctioning ceiling fan. Electrical situations such as this require experienced electricians.

If you’ve ever experienced electrical problems at home, you might wonder if your house needs rewiring.

Rewiring is a significant electrical project that involves replacing old or damaged wiring throughout your home. Here are some signs that could indicate there are potential hazards in your home and it could need rewiring:

1. Frequent electrical issues: If you frequently experience blown fuses, tripped circuit breakers, electrical sparks or power outages, it could be a sign that your wiring is outdated or damaged.
2. Ageing wiring: Homes with wiring that is several decades old may be at higher risk for electrical problems. Older wiring materials, like knob-and-tube or aluminium wiring, may not meet modern safety standards.
3. Flickering lights: If your lights flicker or dim when you use certain appliances or outlets, it could be a sign of overloaded or faulty wiring.
4. Burning smells or scorch marks: An unusual burning odour or scorch marks around outlets or switches are warning signs of electrical issues. These should never be ignored, as they can indicate a fire hazard.
5. Exposed electrical wiring: Any exposed or damaged wiring should be addressed immediately to prevent accidents.
6. Upgrading appliances: If you’re upgrading to high-power appliances or adding more electrical devices to your home, your current wiring may not be able to handle the increased load.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s essential to consult with a licensed electrician. It could be an emergency situation and may require immediate action.

Expert technicians can quickly diagnose your home’s system and determine if rewiring is necessary to ensure your safety and the reliability of your electrical supply. Remember that emergency electrical services are only a phone call away.

The most important thing is to recognise a genuine electrical emergency quickly and be prepared enough to call emergency electrical services. Do your research – you don’t really want to be searching for emergency electricians in the dark.

Always remember, in the case of electrical fire or a medical emergency, dial 000. In other cases, have that 24-hour electrician number handy. Electrical systems are not something DIY amateurs should play around with.

Mr Emergency offers same-day service and can be at your door within 30 minutes* in an electrical emergency. From a blown fuse or an electrical burning smell to a power outage, we’ve got qualified electricians on call for any electrical issue.

When you need a 24-hour emergency electrician, don’t forget that Mr Emergency operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including public holidays. We provide emergency services when you need electrical service urgently. We’ve got your electrical needs covered.

Please note: This information is provided for advice purposes only. Regulations differ from state to state, so please consult your local authorities or an industry professional before proceeding with any work. See our Terms & Conditions here.