Signs that mean switch it off now
A burning or hot plastic smell. A power point or switch that's warm, scorched or crackling. Sparks when something is plugged in. Lights flickering with a buzz. A tingle from a tap or appliance. Water near a fitting or the switchboard. A safety switch that won't stay on. Any of these is a reason to stop using that circuit rather than wait and see.
Switching off safely
Open the meter box door, find the circuit breaker labelled for that area and switch it off. If the labels are missing or you're not sure, use the main switch. Don't touch the board if it's wet, smoking or scorched, or if you'd have to stand in water to reach it, and never remove any covers.
Resetting a tripped safety switch once is fine. If it trips again, leave it off. It's doing its job.
Getting by until the visit
Use an extension lead from a working room only for light loads like a lamp or phone charger, never a heater, and keep it out of walkways and from under rugs. Use torches rather than candles. Keep the fridge and freezer closed if their circuit is off. If someone at home relies on powered medical equipment, tell us in the enquiry.
Tell us what's changed
If things get worse before the visit, such as a new smell or more circuits dropping out, let us know. Renters should also tell the rental provider or agent in writing. A dangerous electrical fault is an urgent repair under Victorian rental law.
What you can safely do now
- Stop using the power point, light, appliance or system that's causing concern.
- If the switchboard is dry and safe to reach, switch off that circuit, or the main switch if you can't tell which one.
- Don't touch anything that's scorched, wet, hot or sparking. Cover a broken power point and leave it alone.
- Keep children and pets away, and tell everyone at home what's switched off and why.
- If there is smoke, fire or immediate danger, get everyone out and stay out.
Services that can help
Read more in our guides
Related questions
- How do I describe an electrical fault in my enquiry?Tell us what stopped working, when it started, what was running at the time and what the switchboard shows.
- What should I do if a power point or appliance gets wet?Don't touch it.
- I felt a tingle from a tap or appliance. What should I do?Treat it as a warning.
- 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
4 sources, with the date each was checked
- 1.Energy Safe Victoria: Old switchboards, particularly those without a safety switch Old power switches or power points, particularly broken ones Flickering lights Sparks from switchboards, switches or power points. If your house is over 30… Accessed 30 September 2026.
- 2.Energy Safe Victoria: Do not touch or attempt to repair a loose, cracked or broken power point switch – cover it immediately and arrange for a licensed electrician to replace it. Accessed 30 September 2026.
- 3.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.
- 4.Consumer Affairs Victoria: Anything on this list is legally defined as an urgent repair: burst water service blocked or broken toilet system serious roof leak gas leak dangerous electrical fault flooding or serious flood damage serious… 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.