Not every electrical problem is an emergency, but some genuinely can’t wait. Here’s how to tell the difference, what to do while you’re waiting for help, and when it’s safe to book a normal appointment instead.
Signs it’s a genuine electrical emergency
- Burning smell or visible smoke from a plug, switch, appliance or the DB board – switch off the circuit at the DB board if you can safely reach it, and call immediately.
- Sparking from an outlet, switch or the DB board itself.
- Exposed or damaged wiring, especially anywhere it could be touched or is near water.
- Complete loss of power that isn’t a scheduled load shedding slot or a confirmed area-wide Eskom outage.
- A breaker that trips repeatedly and won’t reset, particularly if it’s hot to the touch.
- Any electric shock, even a mild one, from touching an appliance, switch or tap.
What to do while you’re waiting
If it’s safe to reach, switch off the relevant circuit or the main breaker at the DB board. Don’t touch damaged wiring, a tripped breaker that’s warm, or any appliance that’s sparked or smoked. Keep pets and children away from the area. If there’s an actual fire, call the fire department first – electricians handle the electrical fault, not an active fire.
Why response time matters
Electrical faults rarely get better on their own – a breaker that trips once today is often the same breaker that fails to trip next time, which is how house fires start. Getting a fault diagnosed quickly, rather than resetting the breaker and hoping, is what actually prevents the situation from getting worse.
When it’s not an emergency
A single outlet that’s stopped working, a light fitting that needs replacing, or general load shedding are inconvenient but not dangerous, and can usually wait for a scheduled appointment rather than an emergency call-out – which also tends to cost less.
Frequently asked questions
How fast can you respond to an emergency call-out?
We prioritise emergency call-outs and are typically on site within the hour, seven days a week, across the areas we cover.
Is a tripped DB board always an emergency?
Not always – an occasional trip after a specific appliance is used is often a simple overload. A breaker that trips repeatedly with no clear cause, or feels warm, should be treated as urgent.
Should I try to fix a sparking outlet myself?
No – switch off the circuit at the DB board if you can do so safely, and don’t touch the outlet again until a licensed electrician has inspected it.
Facing an electrical emergency right now? See our emergency electrical service or call us directly.