A power cut can be frustrating, especially if it happens at the worst possible time—like when you’re in the middle of cooking dinner, watching your favourite show, or working from home. But have you ever wondered what actually happens when the lights go out?
As electricians, we know that power cuts aren’t always as simple as they seem. In this blog, we’ll break down what causes them, why some houses lose power while others don’t, and what you should check before calling for help.
1. What Causes a Power Cut?
Power cuts can happen for a variety of reasons, and not all of them are related to bad weather! Some of the most common causes include:
- Storms and Extreme Weather: High winds, heavy rain, or lightning can damage power lines. 🌩️
- Overloaded Power Grids: If too many homes or businesses are using electricity at once, the system can become overwhelmed and shut down temporarily.
- Faulty Wiring or Equipment: If there’s a fault in your home’s electrical system, your power might go out while your neighbour’s stays on.
- Planned Maintenance: Utility companies sometimes turn off power for repairs or upgrades, but they should notify you in advance.
- Accidental Damage: Roadworks, tree branches, or even animals chewing through cables can disrupt power lines.
🔎 Did you know? A single squirrel once caused a power outage for over 10,000 homes by chewing through a transformer cable! 🐿️
2. Why Do Some Houses Lose Power While Others Don’t?
Ever noticed that your street is in darkness, but the next one over still has lights on? That’s because homes are connected to different parts of the electrical grid.
- Your house is on a different transformer than your neighbour’s.
- Some areas have backup generators or priority restoration plans (hospitals, for example).
- The issue might be inside your home, not the whole street!
3. What to Check Before Calling an Electrician
If your power goes out, don’t panic! Try these simple steps before calling for help:
- ✅ Check your fuse box – If a single circuit has tripped, resetting the breaker might restore power.
- ✅ Look outside – Is the whole street affected, or just your home?
- ✅ Call your energy provider – They might already be aware of a wider outage.
- ✅ Unplug appliances – To prevent damage when power returns, unplug sensitive devices like TVs and computers.
- ✅ Test another room – If only part of your house has lost power, there may be an issue with your internal wiring.
🚨 When to call an electrician: If your home is the only one without power, or your fuse box keeps tripping, you may have a bigger electrical issue that needs urgent attention.
4. How to Stay Safe During a Power Cut
Safety should always come first when dealing with electricity. Follow these tips to stay safe and minimise disruption:
- 🔦 Use torches, not candles – Open flames can be a fire hazard.
- 🧊 Keep fridge & freezer doors closed – Food stays cold for up to 4 hours without power.
- 📱 Keep a charged power bank handy – So you can still make emergency calls.
- 🔥 Never use gas stoves or BBQs indoors – This can cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
5. How LBA Electrical Services Can Help
If you’re experiencing frequent power cuts that aren’t caused by the grid, you may have an underlying electrical fault. At LBA Electrical Services, we offer:
- ✅ Fault-finding and diagnostics to identify wiring issues
- ✅ Fuse board upgrades for a more reliable electrical system
- ✅ Backup power solutions, including generator installation
💡 Power cuts shouldn’t disrupt your life. Contact LBA today for expert electrical support!
