No Power in Your House? What To Check Before Calling an Electrician
Power just went out. Before you call anyone, run this two-minute checklist. It will tell you whether the problem is the utility's or yours.
Step 1: Look outside
If the neighbors are dark too, it is the utility. Report the outage to Duke Energy or your co-op.
Step 2: Check the main breaker
If only your home is dark, open the panel. A tripped main looks like it is halfway between ON and OFF. Switch it fully OFF, then ON. If it trips again, stop and call a power outage electrician.
Step 3: Partial power?
If some rooms work and others do not, or lights are oddly bright in one area and dim in another, you likely have a lost neutral or lost leg. Unplug electronics and call an emergency electrician right away; this condition damages appliances and can start fires.
Step 4: Check GFCIs
If only bathrooms, kitchen, garage or outdoor outlets are dead, press RESET on every GFCI you can find.
Step 5: Smell or sound?
Any burning smell, buzzing or scorch marks at the panel or meter means call now, do not reset anything.
We dispatch 24/7 across North Carolina, from electrician in Jacksonville to electrician in Boone. Call (888) 592-6466.