Power Outage: Is It Just Me Or The Grid?
When the lights go out, the first step is determining whether the issue is isolated to your property or part of a wider network outage.
Important Safety Warning
Never touch the green Western Power pillar box on the street or the overhead service cables leading to your house.
Common Signs & Symptoms
- Sudden loss of all power
- Only some parts of the house have power
- Neighbours' houses are also dark
- Streetlights are off
Potential Causes
Why is this happening? Here are the most common reasons we see in WA homes:
- Western Power grid fault (storm, car accident, blown transformer)
- Tripped main switch or safety switch in your switchboard
- Blown service fuse (where power enters the property)
- Planned network maintenance
Troubleshooting Steps (DIY Safe)
- 1Check Western Power's outage map online via your smartphone.
- 2Look outside to see if streetlights or neighbours have power.
- 3Check your switchboard to see if the main switch or RCDs have tripped.
- 4If it's just your house and your switches are all on, you may have a blown service fuse (call Western Power or an electrician).
DIY vs Professional
In Western Australia, it is illegal to perform your own electrical work. While you can change a lightbulb or reset a switch, anything involving wiring or removing fittings must be done by a licensed electrician.
How we can help
If you haven't been able to resolve the issue with the steps above, it's time to call in the experts. Sparky Local carries the necessary diagnostic tools to identify the root cause quickly and safely.
Need a Professional?
Don't risk your safety. Our licensed electricians are available to assess and fix electrical issues properly.
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