Electricity is used to power almost everything, from your lights to entertainment and heating or cooling. Thus, it has become one of today’s most important commodities. But while modern electricity is no doubt reliable, it also tends to hit a snag now and again. And when it does, it can cause a lot of discomfort and inconveniences.
Some electrical issues, however, can cause more than just an inconvenience. These are more serious problems that can put you and your family’s safety at risk. To make it even worse, they can happen at any time. So while most electrical problems can wait till morning, the more serious issues cannot and will require you to call an emergency electrician.
But how would you know if you are having an electrical emergency? Here are the top 3 reasons to call an emergency electrician immediately.
1. You are hearing strange noises
While electrical sounds are normal, they are usually muffled and quiet to the point that you can’t almost hear them. So if you hear a louder-than-usual buzzing, zapping, or humming sound when turning a switch or plugging an appliance, then call an emergency electrician immediately. Such sounds can be an indication that you are experiencing issues with your electrical circuit or wiring, which is a pretty dangerous situation.
Another strange noise to watch out for is a buzzing sound from an electrical panel. This can be a sign that you have a major problem with one of the breakers or that you’re using an old fuse box. In such cases, many would be tempted to try and turn off their electricity – which you should never do. See, the panel may be malfunctioning, and touching it can deliver a high voltage shock. So instead of trying to fix the issue on your own, best leave it to an expert.
2. You smell or see smoke
If you are smelling or seeing smoke or even just a wisp of it from an appliance or outlet, then contact a 24-hour electrician as soon as you can. Smoke coming out from an outlet can be a sign of your wiring shorting out, overloading, poor electrical job, or loose plugs – all of which are problems that can lead to a fire.
3. You see sparks
Like strange noises, sparks are nothing unusual in electricity. This is pretty common when plugging in something to an outlet. However, if the spark lasts for more than a second and/or it is not blue, then you should let a licensed electrician check it out for you immediately. Long and large sparks are abnormal and an indication that you may have an outlet that’s not installed properly, experiencing faulty wiring, or have an overloaded outlet. In any case, all these electrical issues can put you and your family in danger.
Note: If there’s already a lot of smoke or your electrical components have caught fire, do not call an emergency electrician. Instead, contact fire and rescue. Put your family and/or pets to safety and get as far away from your home as possible. Once it is safe and you have got the go signal to re-enter your home, then you may call a reliable and licensed electrician. He will inspect the damages and apply the necessary fixes.
If you are experiencing any of the electrical issues mentioned above and need a 24-hour sparkie in Sydney, try Electrician to the Rescue. They are available 24/7 and 365 days a year, including the public holidays. They also offer on-time and same-day services, so you won’t be waiting to get your electrical system in order.
