Electricity is such a critical part of our everyday lives that when a serious electrical issue arises, it is a major inconvenience, whether it be at home or work.
But what should be considered an emergency electrical issue? How do you know if you need to call in an electrician in Port Macquarie ASAP?
Take a look here at some of the most urgent electrical issues that should prompt you to call a local emergency electrician immediately.
Signs you should call an emergency electrician ASAP
There are electrical issues that can wait to be seen to, and then there are emergency electrical issues that require immediate repair, usually for your safety and the safety of others.
Some of the most common and serious include:
Smoke from outlets
If you have seen smoke coming out of your outlets, you need to call in an emergency electrician straight away, as well as emergency services.
The cause of smoking outlets can range from them being overloaded to short circuits, but regardless of the cause, this is a sign that you may have an electrical fire in your home.
Electrical fires are extremely dangerous and difficult to handle, so it is imperative that you move to safety until you can get help.
Frequent power interruptions
Electrical outlets have been designed to have the capability to handle the required voltage of your lighting and appliances.
If your circuit breakers are consistently tripping or you’re experiencing frequent interruptions in your electricity, this is a sign that you likely have issues with your electrical wiring. Faulty wiring can be dangerous, so call in an electrician ASAP.
Warm or hot power outlets
Warm or hot power outlets are often a major sign that you have an issue. Placing high demand on your electrical wiring or simply old wiring that needs replacing can cause your outlets to heat up.
Whatever the cause, the sooner you get an electrician out to check your electrical system, the better.
Sparks when plugging in appliances
If sparks are occurring when you plug your appliances in you, need to get an electrician around asap to check the issue.
Big white or yellow sparks that last longer than a second are a sure sign that something is going wrong in your electrical system and can be dangerous. From the risk of electrocution to an electrical fire, the damage can be severe so it is best not to take chances.
Water damage
We all know that water and electricity do not mix well. The importance of getting in an electrician to look over your electrical system after water has gotten in can’t be overstated.
Whether the water damage is from someone spilling a drink on an outlet or your home experiencing heavy rain, flooding or leaks, it is critical that you get the system checked out asap.
Ideally, you want an electrician to assess your electrical system before you use it again to ensure that nothing is damaged, so the sooner you call them, the better.
Sudden buzzing sounds
Buzzing sounds that are suddenly coming from your walls or outlets are an indicator that there is an issue with your wiring.
The buzzing can be caused by any number is issues from loose screws to a serious wiring issue. Regardless of the cause, buzzing is not normal and shouldn’t be ignored.
Reach out to your local electrician and get them to come and take a look at your home as soon as they can. The sooner you get it assessed and repaired, the better.
Tripping circuit breakers
When it comes to your electrical system, your circuit breakers should be seen as the first line of defence.
They’re designed to stop the flow of electricity when it becomes too high and prevent the electrical circuit from becoming overloaded and dangerous.
If your circuit breakers are consistently being tripped, this is a sign that something is seriously wrong with your electrical system. Call in an electrician to check it out for you as soon as possible.
Get in touch today
It can be difficult to know what constitutes an electrical emergency and what can wait until the next day to be sorted out.
As a general rule of thumb, if your outlets are emitting heat or smoke, your home has sustained water damage or your circuits or wiring are making funny noises or constantly tripping, you need to call in an emergency electrician.
If you’re not too sure whether you’re experiencing an electrical emergency, you can always give our local experts a call to discuss your specific issue and identify if you need emergency assistance.