Power outages are events that are extremely frustrating especially if you’re in the middle of something important. Situations where you are preparing dinner, watching your favourite TV show, or making a very important report when suddenly the electricity shuts off. There are a handful of reasons why the power in your house got blown. Nevertheless, the response and action you should take are pretty much the same.

Here are 5 important steps that Sydney emergency electricians have recommended that you do immediately once you experience sudden power outages in your house.

Unplug All Electrical Appliances

First of all, don’t panic. You have to have a clear state of mind and follow these steps. Once a power outage occurs, get up and unplug all of your appliances. You don’t want them plugged once the power returns as a sudden surge of electricity can damage them. If a burnt fuse caused the outage, turning the power on with all the appliances still plugged can once again cause another tripping of the panel.

Turn the Main Power Off From the Fuse Box

The next thing to do is get to the fuse box and turn off the main power. Regardless of the severity of the situation, this is always the best and safest precautionary action. The outage can be small like a burnt socket that tripped the main breaker or something more severe like a blown transformer from the main post.

Right after turning off the main power, look for other signs of electrical trouble like sparkling, smoke, or arcing. Stay away from those areas. This is a major emergency and you need to call a professional electrician.

WARNING:

Working with the main electrical panel can be potentially dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing or if you’re not taking some precautionary measures. Wear thick rubber gloves, make sure you’re not stepping on a wet floor, and use a flashlight so that everything is visible to you.

Locate the Blown Fuse

You already know where the fuse box is located, right? Get to the fuse box and see which fuse has blown. A fuse is a device that gets melted once the current passing through it exceeds the safe levels. This is your clue. Look for the fuse that appears melted or has signs of discolouration. The glass protecting it can also have a smoked or foggy appearance.

The labels in the panel can also provide you with some information about which fuse had caused the tripping off. The breaker that is between OFF and ON is the culprit.

Replace the Damaged Fuse

If you have a spare fuse kept around in the house, you can replace the broken fuse yourself. However, if you think the damage is just more than a burnt fuse, get on your phone and call an emergency electrician. One other thing, make sure the replacement fuse has the same amperage as that of the broken unit.

Turn the Main Switch Back on and Test if Power is Restored

Once everything is in place, try turning the main power back on. Turn on the lights and plug the appliances into their outlets. Leave the burnt outlets alone. This task is for the trained professional who you’ll be calling to replace them.

If the breaker trips once again, this is a sign that the problem is not just about fuses anymore. Turn the main breaker off. Your situation is much bigger and worse than it seems.

If the steps mentioned above did not restore the power back or if you are still not confident in the safety of your household, it’s time to call the services of a professional electrician. There are a lot of reliable after-hours emergency electricians in Sydney who can quickly come to your home and accurately identify the cause of the power disruption, replace the damaged electrical components, and restore your power back.