Some electrical signs call for immediate action. Others are reasons to arrange a planned assessment. Knowing the difference is more useful than treating every old fitting or inconvenience as an emergency.
Keep clear of immediate hazards
For smoke, fire or immediate danger, leave and call 000. Stay away from damaged, wet, hot or sparking equipment.
A shock or tingle from an appliance, tap or metal fitting is not something to retest. Keep others away and contact emergency services and your electricity distributor. Ausgrid explains what to do after a shock or tingle (opens in new tab).
A burning smell at an outlet or switchboard needs urgent attention even if nothing is visibly burning. Do not touch or unplug equipment from a damaged or hot outlet.
Faults that need investigation
Repeated tripping
A circuit repeatedly turning off needs investigation, not repeated resets. Leave it off and explain what was running and what lost power. Breakers and safety switches respond to different faults.
Flickering, unusually bright or dim lights
The pattern can help locate a fault, but flickering does not prove that a globe is the only problem. Changes across several rooms, especially with other symptoms, need prompt advice.
Damaged outlets, switches or leads
Cracks, exposed parts, scorch marks or loose components can make equipment unsafe to use. Do not remove covers or test connections yourself.
Water reaching electrical equipment
Keep away and do not switch wet equipment back on because it appears dry outside. The affected equipment and wiring need assessment.
Reasons for a planned electrical check
The installation no longer suits the equipment
Frequent reliance on power boards, new large appliances or changed room use can justify a load and outlet assessment. Extra outlets are not extra supply capacity.
Circuit protection is unknown
An electrician can identify which circuits have safety-switch protection and whether work is required. Age or appearance alone does not establish the switchboard's condition.
Renovations or additions are planned
A new kitchen, extension or air-conditioning system can change electrical requirements. Plan circuits, access and supply work before finishes are completed.
Records are missing
An unknown inspection history is a reason to establish what is there—not proof of a dangerous installation. A scoped inspection should state what was assessed and any access limitations.
What an inspection can establish
Depending on the agreed scope, an electrician can inspect accessible equipment, test relevant circuits and protection, identify defects and recommend repairs or further investigation. It cannot guarantee concealed areas are fault-free or that no future failure will occur.
Ask for findings that distinguish immediate hazards, repairs and optional improvements. There should be a reason for each recommendation.
What to note before you call
You do not need to work out the cause. It helps to say what you noticed, where it is, when it started and whether it has happened more than once. Mention anything that changed around the same time: a new appliance, wet weather, cleaning, building work or a recent power interruption.
Note what still works and what does not. A whole-house loss of power, one room without lights and a single dead outlet are different starting points for the electrician. If a device at the switchboard has tripped, say what its label reads if you can see it from a safe position, but do not open covers or reset anything to find out more.
Keep the observations to what you saw from a safe distance. Do not touch a fitting to check its temperature, put your face near a switchboard or plug the suspect appliance back in to confirm the symptom.
What the findings you receive mean
A planned assessment should leave you with a short written record of what was inspected, what was tested and what was found, along with any limits on access. Read the findings in three groups. Immediate hazards are items to keep out of use until repaired. Repairs are defects that should be corrected but are not an emergency today. Improvements are optional changes, such as extra outlets or better switching, that make the installation more useful without addressing a fault.
Where work is completed, NSW requires electrical compliance documentation for the installation, repair or alteration carried out. That certificate relates to the specific work done; it is not a statement that every concealed cable in the property has been examined. If the recommendations include further investigation, ask what it would involve and what would change the decision.
Arranging the right visit
AB Electrical handles residential assessments and repairs and switchboard work. Describe the symptoms or planned changes so the visit can be scoped.
For an urgent electrical fault, call from a safe place. Do not delay help to gather photos or complete a form.
For a burning smell, a shock or tingle, sparking or repeated tripping, call 0405 343 343 from a safe place. For a planned check, send an enquiry with your suburb, a short description of the signs or the changes you are planning, and photos only if they can be taken safely without opening covers.
