What should I do first in an electrical emergency?

Switch off the power at the consumer unit if it is safe to do so, avoid touching any exposed wiring or affected appliances, and contact an emergency electrician immediately. If there is a fire risk, evacuate and call the fire service.

Can I fix an electrical fault myself?

No. Electrical faults, especially anything involving exposed wiring, burning smells, sparks or a tripped consumer unit that will not reset, should always be handled by a qualified, ideally NICEIC-registered, electrician for safety reasons.

How much does an emergency electrician cost?

Emergency electrician callouts typically cost between £80 and £250, depending on the time of day, complexity of the fault and location.

What are signs of a dangerous electrical fault?

Burning smells, sparking sockets, discoloured or warm switches, frequently tripping circuit breakers and flickering lights across multiple rooms can all indicate a dangerous fault requiring immediate attention.

What should I do if my consumer unit keeps tripping?

A consumer unit that trips repeatedly is often protecting you from a fault. Unplug appliances one at a time to try to isolate the cause, and if it continues to trip, contact an electrician rather than repeatedly resetting it.

Is a power cut always an electrical emergency?

Not always — check if neighbouring properties are also affected, which usually indicates a supply issue for your network operator to fix. If only your property has lost power, it may be a fault requiring an electrician.

boltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltboltbolt

bolt

Homeowner Hub › Emergency Home Repairs › Electrical Emergencies

Electrical Emergencies

Sparking sockets, burning smells or a fault that will not reset are serious safety risks. Learn what to do immediately and how to find a trusted emergency electrician.

Last reviewed: August 2026 · Reviewed by: The TopTenTrades Editorial Team

Quick Answer

1.Switch off the power at the consumer unit if safe to do so
2.Do not touch exposed wiring or affected appliances
3.Unplug the appliance if a fault is isolated to one item
4.Evacuate and call the fire service if there is a fire risk
5.Contact an emergency electrician

Problem type: Emergency electrical fault
Typical trade: Electrician
Urgency: Immediate — safety risk
Typical repair time: 1–2 hours
Typical cost: £80–£250
Risk if ignored: Electric shock, fire risk, damage to appliances and wiring

What To Do

1.If it is safe to do so, switch off the power at the consumer unit.
2.Do not touch any exposed wiring, sparking sockets or affected appliances.
3.If the fault is isolated to a single appliance, unplug it once the power is safely off.
4.If you smell burning or see smoke, evacuate the property and call the fire service.
5.Avoid using water near any electrical fault.
6.Contact an emergency electrician to diagnose and repair the fault.

Signs You May Have This Problem

•A burning smell near sockets, switches or the consumer unit
•Sparking or crackling sounds from sockets or switches
•Discoloured, warm or melted switches and sockets
•A consumer unit that trips repeatedly and will not reset
•Flickering lights across multiple rooms
•A buzzing sound from sockets or the consumer unit

Common Causes

•Ageing or damaged wiring
•Overloaded circuits or sockets
•Faulty appliances or extension leads
•Water ingress affecting electrical fittings
•Loose connections in sockets, switches or the consumer unit

Electrical Emergencies: Typical Costs

Repair	Typical Cost (UK)
Emergency callout	£80–£150
Fault-finding and diagnosis	£100–£200
Socket or switch replacement	£80–£180
Consumer unit repair or replacement	£300–£800

Out-of-hours callouts and complex faults involving rewiring or a consumer unit replacement will cost more than a straightforward daytime repair.

When Should You Call An Emergency Professional?

check_circleYou smell burning or see sparks
check_circleA consumer unit will not reset after tripping
check_circleSockets or switches are warm, discoloured or damaged
check_circleThere is any risk of exposed live wiring
check_circleThe fault affects multiple circuits or the whole property

How To Prevent This

•Avoid overloading sockets and extension leads
•Have a periodic electrical safety inspection every 5–10 years
•Replace visibly damaged plugs, cables or sockets promptly
•Test smoke alarms regularly alongside electrical checks
•Use a qualified, NICEIC-registered electrician for any wiring work

Verified Tradespeople, Not Just Reviews

TopTenTrades helps homeowners find verified professionals based on more than star ratings. Consider:

Qualifications
Experience
Insurance
Previous projects
Customer feedback

Need help with an electrical emergency?

Find local electricians who can help with:

Emergency electrical repairs
Fault-finding
Consumer unit repairs
Rewiring

Find Emergency Electricians

Related Emergencies

Boiler Breakdown Burst Pipes Broken Windows

Frequently Asked Questions

Need Help With Electrical Emergencies?

Don't leave it to chance — connect with trusted local tradespeople verified for insurance, qualifications and genuine reviews.

Find Emergency Electricians Back to Emergency Home Repairs

Request multiple quotes · Compare trusted professionals