6 Signs You Might Need an Emergency Electrician

Did you know that Fire and Rescue NSW responds to approximately 4500 house fires each year, and that around 40% of these fires are caused by electrical appliances and faults? It’s quite an astounding figure, particularly because most of these fires could have been prevented. In the following, we outline 6 signs that indicate you might be in need of an emergency electrician.

1. Flickering or dimming lights are a common sign that something is not quite right with the wiring in your house, particularly if it is occurring persistently and involves multiple lights. Electrical wiring does deteriorate over time or can be damaged by rodents or possums, so if you are experiencing regular flickering or dimming of your lights, it is highly advisable that you contact an electrician as soon as possible.
2. A consistently tripping circuit breaker can be a sign of serious electrical issues. While we’ve all experienced a tripped circuit breaker on occasion, regular tripping is an indication of a problem with your wiring or a sign that your circuit is overloading. In the latter case, you may need to upgrade your circuit breaker, but in both cases you definitely need the attention of a qualified electrician.

Home unit main switchboard with serious fault issues
3. The sound of humming or buzzing from your breaker box or from an electrical outlet is a symptom of a faulty circuit breaker or a serious wiring issue that should be addressed immediately. As soon as you notice humming or buzzing from your breaker box or any electrical outlet, it’s time to call an emergency electrician.
4. The smell of burning from outlets or appliances means that the outlet or appliance is overheating, and requires urgent attention. Other signs of burning are discoloured light switches or outlets, such as black or brown marks on the plastic. As soon as you detect the smell or signs of burning, switch off the relevant outlet and unplug the appliance and any associated powerboards. And don’t mess around – for peace of mind, call an electrician to carry out a complete diagnosis of your electrical system.
5. A sparking electrical outlet is another sure sign that something is up with the electrics. Although this may not be a serious issue, and may be isolated to the outlet in question, sparking of any kind can easily escalate and cause major electrical breakdown and the potential for fire. Again, turn the outlet off and contact an emergency electrician to nip the problem in the bud.
6. Electrical shocks, even if minor, should never be ignored, as these are an indication that electricity is escaping from your circuit. Not only can this result in injury to you and your family, it can also spark a fire, posing a major threat to both people and property. If you ever receive a shock from an outlet, switch or appliance, turn the switch off and/or unplug the appliance immediately. And get in touch with your local emergency electrician at the earliest possible opportunity.

Whether you’re a home owner or run a commercial business, picking up on the warning signs of electrical faults can save lives and money in the long run.

At Caslec, we provide prompt emergency electrical services to commercial and industrial customers across the Sydney CBD and Greater Sydney area. Give us a call on 1300 659 273 or 02 9604 4488 to talk to an emergency electrician today.