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When you are facing an electrical emergency, you need to take preventative measures to make sure that you are safe until professional help arrives. If you have already called an emergency electrician in Sydney, that’s a good move. Burning smells or sparks from a power point are scary. But this is not the time for rushed decisions. Let’s talk about what comes next in an electrical emergency step by step and what you should be doing to keep everyone safe.
Key Takeaways
- Check for immediate danger first and evacuate if fire is possible.
- Cut power only if it’s safe by switching the MAIN breaker off, and never touch the switchboard if it’s wet, hot, or sparking.
- Know your switchboard type (fuse, breaker, or RCD) and avoid resetting or replacing anything during an emergency. Wait for a licensed electrician in Sydney.
Is Anyone at Immediate Risk?
That’s the first thing to check. Don’t get distracted counting the number of electrical devices that aren’t working anymore or how long it will take to get back to work. Look around, listen, and smell.
- Is there smoke or fire?
- Are sparks visible?
- Is water leaking near exposed wiring?
- Are children and pets in a safe area?
Your next steps depend on the situation. If there’s no fire or heavy smoke, you can take the next possible action, turning off power. But in the case of a fire hazard, your first step during this emergency is to keep everyone away and clear the area immediately.
Quick Instructions to Turn Off Power at the Circuit Breaker
Once you’ve confirmed that it’s safe to reach the circuit breaker, you can turn off power to the entire property to prevent further damage. Here’s what you need to do only if no sparks, smoke, water, or heat are present.
First, you need to find the switchboard. This is usually located in the garage, laundry, or an external wall. Open the panel and turn all individual circuit breakers and safety switches (RCDs) to OFF or down position.
The main switch is the largest one labelled ‘MAIN’. Flip it firmly to OFF and you’ll hear a click. Afterwards, test lights in a room where the emergency didn’t occur to verify no power.
When turning off power, make sure that you don’t touch the switchboard with wet hands and that the area is completely dry. This can’t be emphasised enough. If the switchboard is hot, sparking, or smoking, step away.
Know Your Switchboard: Fuse Box, Circuit Breaker, or Safety Switch?
If you live in the Inner West, especially in an older terrace, semi, or unit block, your switchboard will not look the same as your neighbour’s. Knowing what you’re dealing with matters during an electrical emergency, because it affects how you can safely cut power.
Fuse Box (Common in Older Inner West Homes)
Older properties still have ceramic fuses instead of switches. These fuse boxes usually contain small screw-in or pull-out fuse carriers and usually look outdated or discoloured.
If a fuse blows:
- Power cuts suddenly.
- The fuse must be replaced, not reset.
- Handling it during an emergency can be unsafe.
Do not attempt to replace a fuse during an emergency. If there are burning smells, sparks, or heat, step away and wait for your local emergency electrician.
Circuit Breaker (Most Common Today)
Most modern homes and upgraded Inner West properties use circuit breakers. These are switch-style controls that trip to the OFF or middle position when there’s a fault.
They are safer because:
- They cut power automatically.
- They don’t require replacement parts.
- They can shut down the whole property quickly.
Flipping the main breaker to OFF is the fastest way to isolate power during an emergency.
Safety Switch (RCD)
A safety switch, also called an RCD, is designed to protect people, not appliances. It cuts power when it detects electricity leaking, such as through water or a human body.
Key things to know:
- It trips faster than a circuit breaker.
- It’s also labelled “RCD”.
- It doesn’t fix the fault, only stops the danger.
If a safety switch trips during an emergency, don’t keep resetting it. Repeated tripping usually means a serious issue that needs professional attention.
What to Do While You Wait For an Emergency Electrician in Sydney?
This wait can feel impossible. You want to save your electrical appliances and return to normalcy. There’s work waiting to be completed before deadlines, and a blacked-out building is just frustrating.
While you wait for a local electrician, you’ve got to make some mental notes on what happened. Why? If you communicate the state of things clearly, your electrician can work faster.
So think carefully. Did the smoke alarm go off? Was there faulty wiring? When did the sparks begin? Which electrical appliances stopped working first? Was there any recent electrical work done?
When you provide this information clearly, your emergency electrician can diagnose the fault accurately. In addition, keep your gates unlocked and make sure that someone is available on-site to meet the electrician.
Fast and reliable emergency electricians in Sydney are available 24/7 beyond business hours for all types of electrical repairs. So, if the electrical problem you are facing does not seem to stop, don’t wait too long and risk injury or fire.
If something feels off, trust your gut and call 0481 228 836 for an experienced emergency electrician at Impulse Electrical Enterprise. Do follow the steps discussed earlier to stay safe until professional help arrives.
