An electrical emergency is any fault that puts people or property at immediate risk: a burning smell, sparking, smoke from a power point or switchboard, a total loss of power, or wiring damaged by a storm or flood. Electrical Powerhaus runs a 24/7 emergency line on 0432 220 069 across Melbourne, every night of the year, including weekends and public holidays.
What counts as an electrical emergency?
- A burning or fishy smell from a power point, switch, light or the switchboard
- Sparks, smoke, scorch marks or melting plastic
- Total loss of power when your neighbours still have theirs
- A safety switch that will not reset
- Water near the switchboard, power points or ceiling lights
- Exposed or damaged wiring after a storm, flood or accident
- Someone receiving a shock from an appliance, tap or fixture
If anyone has been injured or there is a fire, call 000 first. Treat fallen powerlines as live at all times: keep 8 metres clear and call 000.
What to do while you wait
- Turn off the affected circuit, or the main switch, at the switchboard if it is safe to reach
- Do not touch the switchboard if it is wet, smoking or hot
- Unplug appliances on the affected circuit
- Keep children and pets away from the area
- Use torches, not candles
When you call, tell us what you can see and smell. Sometimes we can talk you through making it safe straight away, and some customers have had their power restored over the phone before we even arrived.
What happens when we arrive
Our first job is to make the site safe. We isolate the fault, check for heat damage and test the affected circuits. Then we explain what we found and what it will cost to fix before we start the repair. Where a full repair needs parts or daylight, we restore safe power to as much of the property as possible so you are not left in the dark, then return to complete the job. Customers often mention this in their reviews, especially after Sunday night call-outs.
Our emergency electrical services
- Power outages and tripping switchboards, see our power outage electrician page
- Burning, melted or sparking power points and switches
- Storm and flood damage to wiring and meter boxes
- Power surge damage, including reports for insurance claims
- Hot water and oven faults that trip the power
- Emergency make-safe for landlords, agents and businesses
How much does an emergency electrician cost?
Our call-out is free, day or night. What you pay depends on the fault and the time it takes to fix, and after-hours labour rates apply to nights, weekends and public holidays. We always give you the price before starting the repair, so even in an emergency you decide what happens. New customers get 15% off their first service. Our cost guide shows typical repair prices.
How quickly can you get here?
We dispatch emergency calls immediately from our base in Box Hill, and we have a technician based in Geelong. Response times depend on where you are and how many emergencies are running, especially during storms, so we give you an honest estimate when you call. Customers have told us we were at the door within half an hour.
Storm and flood damage
Melbourne storms bring down branches on service lines, push water into meter boxes and outdoor fittings, and send surges through the network. After a storm, check for exposed or sagging cables, water near the switchboard and appliances that will not turn on. If water has reached power points, switchboards or ceiling lights, do not switch the power back on until the installation has been tested. We make storm-damaged properties safe, repair wiring and meter boxes on your side of the meter and provide written reports for insurance claims. Damage to the street service and poles is the distributor’s responsibility, and we tell you straight away if that is the problem.
Emergency electricians across Melbourne
We cover Melbourne’s east, the inner city, bayside, north and Mornington Peninsula, as well as Geelong. Search for your suburb on our areas page. To prevent the next emergency, consider an electrical safety inspection once the immediate problem is fixed.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a call-out fee for emergency electricians?
No. Our call-out is free 24/7. After-hours labour rates apply, and we give you a price before we start.
What should I do if my power point is smoking?
Turn off that circuit or the main switch at the switchboard if it is safe, keep everyone away and call us on 0432 220 069. If there is a fire, call 000.
Do you work on public holidays?
Yes. Our emergency line runs 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including Christmas and public holidays.
Can you fix it on the night?
Often, yes. If a full repair needs parts, we make the site safe and restore as much power as possible, then come back to finish.
Who do I call if the whole street has no power?
That is a network outage, handled by your electricity distributor. Check their outage map or faults line.
Do you attend emergencies at rental properties?
Yes. Tenants, landlords and property managers can call us any time. We make the property safe, explain the fault and send a report and quote to the landlord or agent for any follow-up repairs.
Should I switch the power back on after a flood?
No. If water has reached power points, the switchboard or ceiling lights, leave the power off until a licensed electrician has tested the installation and confirmed it is safe.
Electrical emergency right now? Our line is open around the clock on 0432 220 069. For everything else, 03 6358 2028. $0 call-out and 15% off your first service.
Real work from the Powerhaus crew
Every photo is one of our jobs, taken by our team.
