When Do You Actually Need an Emergency Electrician?

Emergency electrician call-outs are more expensive than standard appointments. Knowing what genuinely constitutes an electrical emergency — versus what can safely wait — can save you money and unnecessary stress.

Genuine Electrical Emergencies

These situations require immediate attention — call an emergency electrician or, if there is a risk to life, call 999:

Burning Smell from Electrics

A burning smell from a socket, switch, consumer unit or any part of the wiring is a serious fire risk. Turn off at the main switch immediately and call an emergency electrician. Do not use the property's electrics until it has been inspected.

Sparking or Arcing Sockets or Switches

Visible sparks or arcing from electrical accessories indicate a dangerous fault. Isolate the circuit or turn off at the main switch and call immediately.

Visible Damage to Wiring

Exposed live conductors, cables with damaged or burnt insulation, or any situation where live parts are accessible to touch requires immediate attention.

Complete Loss of Power

If the whole property has lost power and it's not a supply issue (check your neighbours or the DNO's outage map), you may have a fault in your main fuse or meter tails that requires emergency attention.

Water Damage to Electrics

If a flood, burst pipe or leak has affected any electrical installation, do not restore power until a qualified electrician has inspected it. Water and electricity are extremely dangerous together.

What Can Wait Until Morning

A single tripped breaker that resets without immediately tripping again can usually wait. A single dead socket can wait. A light not working can wait. If the situation is inconvenient but not dangerous, a standard next-day appointment will be significantly cheaper.

What to Do Before the Electrician Arrives

Turn off the affected circuit or the main switch if you're unsure. Don't keep resetting breakers that trip immediately. Don't use the circuit or appliances until the fault has been found and fixed. If there's a burning smell or visible fire, evacuate and call 999.