The details that help most
What's affected: the whole house, some rooms, one power point, one light or one appliance. When it happens: all the time, only at night, after rain, or only when the oven, heater or air conditioner is on.
What the board shows: which switch moved, whether it's a safety switch (it has a test button) or a circuit breaker, and whether it reset and stayed on. What you noticed: a burning or fishy smell, a warm or discoloured plate, buzzing or crackling, lights dimming when something starts, or a tingle from a tap or appliance. And anything recent: a storm, a new appliance, renovation work, a roof leak or a possum in the ceiling.
A good example
Instead of 'power keeps tripping', try: 'The safety switch for the power points trips most mornings around 7, usually when the kettle and toaster are on together. It resets fine. It started two weeks ago after heavy rain. No smell.' That narrows the likely causes before we arrive and tells us which circuit to test first.
Checks to stop at
Reset a tripped safety switch once. If it drops again or won't stay on, leave it off; repeated resets push power back into whatever caused the trip. Don't take covers off, swap fittings or experiment with the fault to get more detail. Whatever you can see from a safe distance is enough.
If something seems unsafe
For heat, sparking or a burning smell, stop using the item and switch off at the switchboard if it's safe to reach, then say so in the enquiry. If there is smoke, fire or immediate danger, get everyone out of the house first.
Services that can help
Read more in our guides
- A safety switch keeps tripping: what to record and when to callUnderstand the difference between a protective device doing its job and a fault that needs investigation.
- How electrical fault finding worksWhat an electrician actually does to trace an electrical fault, from isolating circuits to insulation and continuity tests, and how you can help find it faster.
Related questions
- What photos help with an electrical enquiry?Three or four clear photos usually do it: the switchboard with its door open and every cover left in place, a wider shot of where the job is, and any appliance or…
- Something seems unsafe while I wait for the visit. What should I do?Stop using whatever seems unsafe, switch it off at the switchboard if it's safe to reach, and keep people and pets away from it.
- How do I tell which switch has tripped on my switchboard?Open the switchboard door and look along the rows of switches.
- Why can I hear crackling in my walls or ceiling?Most creaks and ticks in walls and ceilings come from timber, roofing and pipes expanding and contracting, or from animals.
Sources for this answer
1 source, with the date each was checked
- 1.Energy Safe Victoria: Locate your electricity box outside your home and check whether the safety switch has tripped. If it has tripped, reset the switch. If the switch won’t reset, call a licensed electrician. Accessed 30 September 2026.
General information for homes in Victoria. Every installation is different, so treat this as a starting point. Where this answer refers to Victorian safety or rental rules, the sources above have the current requirements.