Emergency Electrician London: What to Do in an Electrical Emergency

Electrical emergencies can happen at any time. Whether you have lost all power, your consumer unit will not stop tripping, or you can smell burning from a socket, knowing what to do and who to call can prevent a dangerous situation from getting worse.

Common Electrical Emergencies

Complete power loss — If your entire property has lost power but your neighbours still have theirs, the problem is in your installation. Check your consumer unit first.

Sparking or smoking sockets — Turn off the circuit at the consumer unit immediately. Do not use the socket or try to remove the plug while sparking is occurring.

Burning smell from electrics — This indicates overheating wiring and is a fire risk. Turn off the affected circuit and call an electrician.

Consumer unit tripping repeatedly — If a circuit keeps tripping after you reset it, there is a fault. Do not keep resetting it as this could be dangerous.

Exposed wiring — If wiring has become exposed through damage, do not touch it. Keep people and pets away and call an electrician.

What to Do First

Stay calm. Most electrical emergencies can be made safe quickly by turning off the affected circuit or the main switch at your consumer unit. If you cannot safely reach the consumer unit or if there is a fire, call 999.

Do not touch anything wet. Water and electricity are a lethal combination. If water is near electrical fittings, turn off the main switch before approaching.

Do not attempt DIY repairs. Electrical work is dangerous and must be carried out by a qualified electrician. Attempting repairs yourself could result in electrocution or fire.

Our Emergency Service

F & A Electrical provides emergency electrical services across all London boroughs, seven days a week. We aim to respond to emergency calls as quickly as possible. Our electricians carry a full range of parts and equipment to resolve most emergencies on the first visit.