What counts as an electrical emergency, and what can wait?

An electrical problem is an emergency if there's a risk of fire, electric shock or water getting into electrics, or if it leaves you without something essential, such as heating in winter or power for medical equipment. Burning smells, scorch marks, sparking, smoke, buzzing from the fuse board and wet electrics all need help straight away. A single dead socket or a light that won't work, with nothing else wrong, can usually wait until a weekday.

Call an electrician now

• A burning smell, or scorch marks on sockets, switches, plugs or the fuse board.
• Sparking or crackling from a socket, switch or appliance.
• Water near electrics, such as a leak through a ceiling light or water in the fuse board.
• A tingle or shock from a tap, radiator, appliance or switch.
• Buzzing, hot or smoking fuse board.
• A circuit that trips straight back off every time you reset it.
• No power at all, when your neighbours still have theirs and your main switch is on.

For any of these, switch off at the main switch if it's safe to reach and call 07973 781349. Our guide to what to do in an electrical emergency covers the first few minutes step by step.

It can usually wait until a weekday

• One socket or one light not working, with no smell, heat or marks.
• A breaker that tripped once and has stayed on since you reset it.
• Flickering lights in one room only, especially if it's a single bulb or fitting.
• Planned upgrades, such as more sockets, an EV charger or an old fuse board you'd like replaced.

Booking these in during the day costs less than an emergency call-out. If anything changes, such as a smell or heat, treat it as an emergency.

Is it a power cut?

If your whole street is dark, it's almost certainly a power cut on the network. An electrician can't fix that. Call 105, the free power cut line, or check UK Power Networks' online map. Our guide to power cuts and electrical faults explains how to tell the difference.

Still not sure?

Call us. Describe what you can see, hear and smell, and we'll tell you honestly whether it needs someone now or can wait. Asking costs nothing, and you can check our emergency rates in how much an emergency electrician costs.