Am I Experiencing an Electrical Emergency?

Electrical problems are hazardous and often need to be fixed fast. But, most homeowners let electrical malfunctions go on too long, causing more headaches and potential home dangers before contacting a professional. In addition, many homeowners don’t know the location of their main breaker; when they call for help, many times the first thing an electrician will ask is if the homeowner shut off the main circuit breaker. 

But, part of the reason people wait to call a pro is that they don’t always realize what constitutes a dangerous electrical situation. To help homeowners recognize and identify these signs, we’ve compiled a list of indicators that your electrical situation is an emergency and needs attention fast -- and what to do when that happens. 

Power outage

If you notice that the power outage affects more than your home and those neighboring, it’s likely because of a storm or a local transformer. Maybe a neighbor overloaded the electrical system in their home, affecting the whole neighborhood. An isolated power outage signifies that your power source may be compromised. 

But, an unexpected power outage is different and is a serious issue. Frayed or weak wires cause the power to go out by putting a strain on the electrical system. Don’t let a serious fire hazard like frayed wires go unattended; the result, a sudden power outage, is a reason enough to contact an emergency electrician. 

Noisy breakers

A breaker box “trips” or stops working correctly when the electrical is overloaded, or the electrical current meets an obstruction. This feature is protective, but that buzzing, humming, or crackling sound needs quick attention. The protective function of a breaker box tripping warns homeowners and residents of potential circuit hazards. 

Potential shocks or fire burns can result from overloaded breaker boxes that fail to trip. If you’re experiencing a noisy breaker, stop using appliances immediately, and do not plug in or turn on anything else until you have an experienced electrician inspect your electrical emergency. 

Stained outlets

Brown or black discoloration around outlets show signs of overloaded outlets and can lead to fire or other dangers inside a home. Putting too much pressure on an outlet causes the fixture to heat up or burn. Do not touch or plug anything into the outlet. It may be hot! Check to see if other outlets experienced similar staining or discoloration, and contact an electrician as soon as possible.

 Burning Smell

Some mornings you may not get the toast right. A burning smell coming from your electrical system (and not a burnt piece of toast) needs immediate attention. Keep in mind that your home nor electrical system should never smell like fire. Burning smells within your home electrical are a tell-tale sign to contact an electrician -- immediately.

First, try to pinpoint the source, but don’t touch anything that could be hot or cause any hazard. The safest bet is to contact an emergency electrician and let them know what you’re smelling. 

A Continued Electrical Problem

Standard practice in the electrical industry, when experiencing an electrical problem with a light or an appliance for more than one hour, it is time to seek out a professional. Malfunctioning electrical components put people at risk of injury. Keep the electrical system within your home running efficiently and effectively by taking steps right away to protect your family when there is a problem. Doing so cuts down on the worry and potentially harmful and costly hazards in the long term. 

When experiencing an electrical emergency, remember to stay calm and pay attention to the tell-tale signs: frayed wires, breaker malfunctions, and electrical system overloads. Always keep a professional and experienced emergency electrician’s contact information on your fridge or your cell phone. With more than forty years in the electrical industry, we have a solution to every electrical problem. Help is on its way!

*Our services should not be used in the case of fire or medical emergency. Please contact your local authorities or 911 if you’re experiencing a life-threatening emergency.