Common Electrical Problems
Diagnostic guides for the electrical issues we see most often. What it means, what to check, what to do — and when to call.
Why does my power keep tripping?
Recurrent breaker trips usually point to overload, a faulty appliance, an RCD nuisance trip, or a wiring fault. Here’s how to narrow it down before calling.
Why is my power point sparking?
A small spark when plugging in is sometimes normal. A large flash, sustained arcing or scorching is not — it’s a fire risk.
Why is there a burning smell from my power point?
A burning smell from an outlet, switch or switchboard is one of the few electrical signs that genuinely needs same-day attention. Don’t wait.
Why are my lights flickering?
Flickering can be as simple as a loose bulb or as serious as a failing neutral connection. Diagnosis depends on whether it’s one light or many.
Why is there no power to one room?
Partial power loss usually means a tripped breaker, a tripped RCD, or a single faulty outlet on a chain. Here’s how to find which.
How do I know if my switchboard needs upgrading?
Ceramic fuses, scorch marks, buzzing sounds, no RCDs and frequent trips are all signs your switchboard is at end of life.
Got an electrical issue not listed here?
Send us a message describing the problem — we'll diagnose it for you.