Electrical emergencies rarely happen at convenient times. A burning smell at midnight, a sudden total power cut before a dinner party, or a water leak dripping through a light fitting — these situations demand immediate action. But what counts as a genuine electrical emergency, and what should you do while waiting for help?
As an emergency electrician serving Deal, Dover, Canterbury and all of Kent, I have responded to hundreds of callouts. Some were life-threatening emergencies. Others were urgent but not immediately dangerous. Knowing the difference helps you stay safe and make the right call. Here are the eight situations that require an emergency electrician — and what to do in each case.
1. Burning Smell or Smoke from Sockets, Switches or the Consumer Unit
This is the most serious electrical emergency. A burning smell indicates overheating connections, which can escalate to fire within minutes. If you smell burning plastic or see smoke:
- Turn off the main switch on your consumer unit immediately
- Evacuate everyone from the property if smoke is visible
- Call 999 if a fire has started
- Call an emergency electrician — do not turn the power back on
2. Total Power Loss with No External Cause
If your entire home loses power and your neighbours still have electricity, the fault is inside your property. Check your consumer unit first — one or more MCBs or the main switch may have tripped. If resetting does not restore power, or if it trips again immediately, you have a serious fault. Call an emergency electrician. Do not keep resetting breakers — this can damage the consumer unit and create a fire risk.
3. Water in Contact with Electrics
Water and electricity are a lethal combination. If a leak is dripping through a light fitting, socket or switch, or if flooding has reached any electrical outlets:
- Turn off the main switch at the consumer unit
- Do not touch any wet electrical fittings, even if the power is off
- Call an emergency electrician before calling a plumber
Even after the water dries, the wiring and fittings may be permanently damaged and unsafe. A professional inspection is essential.
4. Repeated Circuit Tripping
A circuit breaker that trips occasionally is doing its job — protecting you from overload. But if the same circuit trips repeatedly, especially with no obvious cause, there is an underlying fault. Common causes include faulty appliances, damaged wiring, rodent-chewed cables or overloaded circuits. An emergency electrician can trace the fault methodically and safely.
5. Electric Shock or Tingling Sensations
Even a mild tingle from a metal tap, appliance casing or light switch indicates a serious earth fault. This means live current is escaping somewhere it should not be. Do not ignore it. Turn off the power and call an emergency electrician immediately. If someone has received a significant shock, seek medical attention even if they seem fine — electrical injuries can have delayed effects.
6. Exposed or Damaged Wiring
Chewed cables from rodents, cables damaged by DIY drilling, or wires pulled loose by furniture movement all create immediate shock and fire risks. If you see bare copper, cracked insulation or damaged cable sheathing, turn off the relevant circuit at the consumer unit and call an electrician. Never attempt temporary repairs with tape — this is illegal and dangerous.
7. Buzzing, Crackling or Humming from the Consumer Unit
A healthy consumer unit should be silent. Any buzzing, crackling or humming indicates loose connections, arcing or a failing breaker. Arcing generates intense heat and is a common cause of electrical fires. Turn off the main switch and call an emergency electrician. Do not attempt to investigate the noise yourself.
8. Flickering Lights Across Multiple Rooms
A single flickering light usually means a loose bulb or fitting. But if multiple lights flicker across different rooms, the problem is likely in your main supply or distribution board. This can indicate a failing main breaker, loose neutral connection or supply-side fault. All of these require immediate professional investigation.
What to Do While Waiting for Your Emergency Electrician
- Keep the power off at the main switch unless essential for heating or medical equipment
- Stay away from the affected area
- Do not use candles near the electrical fault — use torches instead
- Unplug all appliances on the affected circuit
- If you smell burning, open windows for ventilation but do not create drafts that could fan flames
Emergency Electrician Response Times in Kent
L Fowler Electrical provides emergency electrical callouts across Deal, Dover, Canterbury, Folkestone, Margate, Ramsgate and all surrounding Kent areas. Based in Deal, we can typically reach most East Kent locations within 30–60 minutes. We carry stock for common repairs — consumer units, MCBs, RCBOs, cable and fittings — so most emergencies can be resolved in a single visit.
Prevention: The Best Emergency Strategy
Most electrical emergencies are preventable. Regular EICRs, timely fuse board upgrades, and addressing minor faults before they escalate all reduce your risk dramatically. If your home is over 25 years old and has never been rewired, consider a full electrical inspection — it could reveal hidden dangers before they become emergencies.
Electrical Emergency in Kent?
Call L Fowler Electrical for rapid emergency response across Kent. NAPIT registered, fully equipped, available for urgent callouts.