When to call an emergency electrician
Not every electrical problem is an emergency. The distinction matters — both for your safety and to ensure you get the right response. These situations warrant an immediate call:
- Burning smell from sockets, the consumer unit, or anywhere in the wiring — switch off the main isolator and call immediately
- Sparking from sockets, switches, or the consumer unit
- Electric shock received from any socket, switch, or fitting — do not use it again until inspected
- Total loss of power that cannot be restored by resetting the consumer unit, and where there is no obvious external cause (e.g. a street-level power cut)
- Fittings that are hot to the touch — sockets, switches, or the consumer unit cover running hot indicates a fault
- Flooding that has reached electrical fittings or the consumer unit — do not restore power until the installation has been inspected
- Visible damage to wiring — exposed conductors, melted insulation, or charring near any fitting
Situations that can wait
The following are faults, but not emergencies. They can be booked as standard fault-finding appointments:
- A single circuit that has tripped and can be reset without immediately tripping again
- A failed light fitting or lamp
- A socket that has stopped working but shows no heat, smell, or sparking
- An EICR that is overdue for renewal
- Intermittent power issues that do not involve burning smells or shocks
If you are unsure whether your situation is urgent, call us — we will help you assess it over the phone.
What to do while waiting
- If there is a burning smell or visible sparking: switch off the main isolator at the consumer unit and do not restore power until the fault is identified
- Do not use the affected circuit or fitting under any circumstances
- Do not attempt to investigate wiring yourself — fault-finding requires test equipment and knowledge of how the installation is wired
- If the situation involves fire or immediate danger, call 999 first
Where the main isolator is
Your main isolator is the large switch — usually at the top left of the consumer unit (fuse box). It is typically labelled "Main Switch" or "Isolator". Switching it off cuts power to the entire property. Your consumer unit is usually located in the hallway, under the stairs, in the kitchen, or in a utility area.
Our response area
We cover Dunstable, Luton, Milton Keynes, Leighton Buzzard, Houghton Regis and surrounding areas. Call us directly on 07427 670610 for the fastest response. For non-urgent enquiries, use the contact form.