What Is Considered an Electrical Emergency?

Did you know that electrical problems cause about one-third of all structure fires? Electrical hazards are not something to take lightly. Understanding when your situation requires emergency assistance is the first step – even if you suspect a potential danger, it’s always safest to connect with a local emergency electrician. That’s why our team at Speedy Electric is here to help 24/7.

For your safety, hiring a professional avoids potential electrical shock and fire hazards while ensuring all work is code compliant. When you work with Speedy Electric, you’re receiving quality emergency services – we’ll repair the problem and ensure no further hazards are lurking that may pop up soon. 

Unidentified Burning Smell

Does the smell linger or come and go? Are your smoke detectors being set off? Check your appliances, all your outlets, ducts, and your breaker box to see if you can find the source. An unidentified odor may well be an electrical hazard, especially if you smell plastic burning.

A Buzzing or Humming Sound in Breaker Box

Overall, a slight humming sound coming from your breaker box is normal as it runs an electrical current. However, if you notice the buzzing or humming getting continuously louder, address it quickly as it may mean the circuit breaker is overloaded. An overload heats the circuit wiring and can cause a life-threatening fire hazard.

Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping Repeatedly

There are a few reasons for a circuit breaker to keep tripping, including:

• The circuit breaker box is going bad
• A circuit overload the breaker box cannot accommodate
• A ground fault is occurring, meaning a hot wire is touching the ground
• An appliance or wire is short-circuiting, meaning the electrical flow has gone outside the intended circuit

Lights Continuously Flicker

If your lights occasionally flicker, it’s likely a minor problem with your lightbulb or a faulty switch. When they persistently flicker this signals a more substantial problem such as a circuit overload, excess voltage, or loose wiring. These are dangerous and should have an inspection immediately.

Someone Received an Electrical Shock

There are many situations where one can experience electrical shock, such as:

• Old outlets that are two-prong and therefore have no ground wire as a safety barrier
• An outlet or switch with loose screws or wiring makes the electrical current unstable
• Faulty appliances, including frayed wiring or broken cords that shock you when you plug them in
• Water sources near electricity, or touching outlets with damp hands

Call 412-833-3005
to meet with a service technician today!