Guides from our electricians
Electrical problems, answered
What's causing it, what's safe to check yourself, and when you need an electrician. Written by the team at PowerArc in Hornchurch.
Troubleshooting
TroubleshootingWhat Should I Do If a Plug or Socket Smells of Burning?
A burning smell from a plug or socket should always be taken seriously, because it usually means something is overheating. This guide explains what to do straight away and why it happens.
TroubleshootingWhat should I do in a power cut?
Most power cuts are outside your control, but a few quick checks tell you whether the problem is yours or the network's, and what to do next.
TroubleshootingWhy Are My Lights Flickering?
Flickering lights are often harmless, but they can also be an early sign of a loose connection or a supply fault. This guide helps you work out which one you have and what to do next.
TroubleshootingWhy Is My Fuse Box Buzzing or Hot?
A fuse box, or consumer unit, should be quiet and cool. This guide explains which sounds are normal, which are warning signs, and what to do.
TroubleshootingWhy Is My Plug Socket Not Working?
A socket that has stopped working is often easy to explain, but not always. This guide walks through the checks you can do safely and what the results mean.
TroubleshootingWhy does my RCD trip at night or when it rains?
Trips that follow a pattern are easier to trace than random ones. If yours happen after dark or only in wet weather, the timing is the biggest clue.
TroubleshootingWhy does my electricity keep tripping?
A breaker that keeps tripping is doing its job, but it is also telling you something is wrong. Here is what the different trips mean, the usual causes and a safe way to track the fault down.
TroubleshootingWhy has half my house lost power?
Losing power to part of the home is alarming but often simple. It usually comes down to how your consumer unit is split and which protective device has operated.
TroubleshootingWhy is my smoke alarm beeping and how do I stop it?
A smoke alarm that chirps when there is no fire is telling you something needs attention. This guide explains what the different beeps mean, how to find the culprit and what to do next.
Rules & regulations
Rules & regulationsDo I need an electrician for this job? Part P explained
Part P of the Building Regulations decides which electrical jobs in a home must be notified, and in practice which ones need a registered electrician. This guide covers England only.
Rules & regulationsEICR Codes Explained: What C1, C2, C3 and FI Really Mean
An Electrical Installation Condition Report uses short codes to describe what the inspector found. This guide explains each one, what makes a report pass or fail, and what landlords must do next.
Rules & regulationsLandlord Electrical Safety Guide for England (2026)
Private landlords in England have clear electrical and alarm duties, and penalties for getting them wrong. This guide sets out what the rules require, what is good practice, and which records to keep.
Rules & regulationsWhat happens during an EICR inspection?
An EICR is a safety check of the fixed wiring in a property. Knowing what the inspector does, and how to get the home ready, makes the visit quicker and less disruptive.
Upgrades
UpgradesDo I need a new consumer unit for an EV charger?
Many homes can take an EV charger without changing the consumer unit, but some cannot. This guide explains what the electrician checks and why.
UpgradesSigns You Need a New Consumer Unit
Your consumer unit, often still called the fuse box, is the heart of the electrics. Here are the warning signs it is time to replace it, and what happens when you do.
24/7 emergency electrician
No power, a burning smell or sparking socket?
Switch off at the fuse board if it's safe to, then call us. Our emergency line is answered day and night, every day of the year.
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