When power goes out in your home one of the first things many people do is check your safety switch to see if it has tripped. However, what’s going on when your safety switch is on, but there is no power in your home? In this article, we’ll explain why this can occur and what you can do to fix it.
Safety switch might have tripped (even if it looks like it’s on)
We’ll tackle the most obvious one first as you’d be surprised how often this can actually occur. If your electrical safety switch is on but there is still no power in your home, the first thing to check is whether or not the safety switch has actually tripped. Sometimes your safety switch can trip and not look like it’s off. To do this, simply turn the safety switch back on and see if power is restored to your home. If it is, then you know the safety switch was the issue.
If power is still not restored after flipping the safety switch back on, then there may be another issue at play.
Check if there is a power outage in your area
One possibility is that there is a power outage in your area. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as severe weather or an issue with the power grid. If you suspect there may be a power outage, you can check for updates from your electricity provider or by searching online from your mobile phone.
If there is a power outage in your area, the best thing to do is wait it out. In most cases, power will be restored within a few hours. However, if you are in an emergency situation, such as if you need power for medical reasons, you should contact your electricity provider to see if they can provide you with an estimate for when power will be restored.
There might be a problem with your switchboard
Another possibility is that there is an issue with your switchboard. This is the part of your home where the main power comes into your home and is distributed to the different circuits. If there is an issue with your switchboard, it will need to be repaired or replaced by a qualified electrician. Don’t try to undertake any repairs to your switchboard yourself; this can be very dangerous and cause serious injury.
The circuit breaker could be defective
If the power still hasn’t come back on after you’ve reset the circuit breaker, it’s possible that the breaker is defective or there is a break in the wiring. Only a licensed electrician with the proper experience should replace a circuit breaker in order to avoid any accidents. The electrician will replace the old circuit breaker with a new one that is correctly sized.
Wiring issue inside the outlet itself
Lastly, there could be an issue with your electrical wiring itself. Searching for a break in a circuit’s wiring can be very frustrating because the problem could be anywhere, including:
- A break in the neutral wire
- A loose or defective splice in the switchboard
- The wire is damaged due to a rat or other pests eating it
If you suspect a wiring issue we recommend contacting an electrician who has been trained on locating such faulty efficiently and safely.
There are a number of reasons why you might have no power in your home, even if your safety switch is on. The most common reasons are that the safety switch has tripped, there is a power outage in your area, or there is a problem with your switchboard. If the power still hasn’t come back on after trying to reset the circuit breaker, it’s possible that there is an issue with your wiring itself. In these cases, it’s best to contact a qualified electrician for help.
