--- title: Power Out? What to Check Before You Call | Hang Loose url: https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/power-out-what-to-check language: en-AU updated: 2026-10-25 publisher: Hang Loose Electrical, 3/27 Huntington Street, Clontarf QLD 4019, 0492 268 126 --- 1. [Home](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/) 2. [Guides](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/guides) 3. Power out: what to check Homeowners # Power Out? What to Check Before You Call Is it just your place, or the whole street? A few safe checks tell you whether you need Energex or an electrician, and save you a call-out you don't need. [Call 0492 268 126](tel:+61492268126)[Get a fast quote](#quote) By **Hang Loose Electrical**, licensed electricians in Clontarf. Checked 22 October 2026. ## First: is anyone in danger? If there is smoke, fire, sparking, or someone has had an electric shock, call 000 first. Stay well clear of fallen powerlines, at least 8 metres, and call 000 or Energex on 13 19 62. ## Is it your house or the street? - Look outside. If the street lights and your neighbours are out too, it is most likely a network fault. - Check the Energex outage finder, or call Energex on 13 62 62. - If only your home is out, or only part of it, the problem is usually on your side of the meter, and that is where we come in. ## Safe checks at your switchboard - Open the switchboard and look for a safety switch or circuit breaker that has dropped to the off position. - Switch it back on once. If it trips again straight away, leave it off. - To find the cause, turn off or unplug appliances on that circuit, then try again. A faulty appliance is a common culprit. - If it still won't stay on, or you can smell burning or see scorch marks, leave it off and call us. ## What not to do - Don't keep resetting a switch that trips straight away. It is telling you something is wrong. - Don't take the cover off the switchboard or touch anything wet. - Never run a generator through a power point. Back-feeding can kill someone working on the lines. A properly installed generator inlet is the safe way. ## From our job sheets A lot of our after-hours call-outs start this way: a safety switch that trips when it rains, a hot water system tripping the breaker, or a switchboard isolator that failed. In one Margate home the isolator had caught fire on a Saturday. We isolated it, disconnected it and made the home safe. ## What it costs with us Standard attendance and the first hour is $149 inc GST. After hours, attendance and the first hour is $249 inc GST. Our 24/7 emergency line is [0487 259 697](tel:+61487259697). See [emergency electrician](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/emergency-electrician) and [fault finding](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/electrical-fault-finding). ## Sources - [Energex: report fallen powerlines](https://www.energex.com.au/safety/incidents-and-emergencies/report-fallen-powerlines) - [Electrical Safety Office: frequently asked questions](https://electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/frequently-asked-questions) ## Need a hand with this? Call the team, or send the details for a fast quote. [Call 0492 268 126](tel:+61492268126)[Get a fast quote](#quote) [24/7 emergencies: **0487 259 697**](tel:+61487259697) - **Mon to Fri** 6:30am to 6pm - **Sat** 7am to 1pm - **After hours** 24/7 emergency line above (after-hours surcharges apply) - **Workshop** 3/27 Huntington Street, Clontarf QLD 4019 ## Common questions Can't see your question? Call [0492 268 126](tel:+61492268126) and talk to the team. [All guides](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/guides) ### The power is out. Is it my house or the street? If neighbours and street lights are out too, it is most likely a network fault, so check Energex or call 13 62 62. If only your home or part of it is out, it is usually on your side and we can help. ### My safety switch keeps tripping. What should I do? Unplug appliances on that circuit and try once more. If it still trips, leave it off and call us. Don't keep resetting it. ### Do you come out after hours? Yes. Call our 24/7 emergency line on 0487 259 697. After-hours surcharges apply. ### Can I run my house off a generator? Only through a properly installed generator inlet. Never back-feed a generator through a power point. ## Related guides - ### [Tripping in the rain](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/safety-switch-trips-in-rain) Where water gets in, what you can safely check, and when to call us. - ### [Storm season safety](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/storm-season-electrical-safety) Before, during and after a storm: who to call and what to check. - ### [Switchboard before upgrades](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/switchboard-before-aircon-ev-solar) How to tell if your board is ready for a big new appliance. ## Get a fast quote Tell us the job. It takes about a minute. ## Rather we sorted it? Call the team or send the details for a fast quote. You'll have a clear price before any work starts. [Call 0492 268 126](tel:+61492268126)[Get a fast quote](https://www.hanglooseelectrical.com.au/contact)