Written by ABC Electrical | Published June 2025
In an electrical emergency in NSW, the first thing you should do is cut power at the main switchboard if it is safe to reach, move everyone away from the hazard, and call 000 if there is fire, injury, or electrocution. Do not touch anyone in contact with live electricity.
This guide walks you through the exact steps to take in a range of electrical emergencies, what NOT to do, and when to call a licensed electrician. Whether you are in Woy Woy, Gosford, or anywhere on the Central Coast, these steps apply to you.
Understand the Most Common Electrical Emergencies in NSW
Knowing what counts as a true electrical emergency helps you respond faster and more confidently. Some situations are urgent but not life-threatening, while others require calling 000 immediately.
| Emergency Type | Urgency Level | First Action |
|---|---|---|
| Electrocution or shock | Critical | Call 000 immediately |
| Electrical fire | Critical | Cut power, call 000 |
| Sparking power point | High | Switch off at board, call electrician |
| Tripped circuit breaker (won’t reset) | Medium | Call licensed electrician |
| Burning smell from wall or ceiling | High | Cut power, call electrician urgently |
| Fallen powerline on or near property | Critical | Call 000 and Ausgrid/Essential Energy |
| Flooding near electrical installations | High | Do not enter, cut power, call electrician |
On the Central Coast, heavy summer storms frequently bring down powerlines and cause flooding near electrical systems. If you are unsure whether a situation is dangerous, treat it as an emergency and act accordingly.
Follow These Steps in Any Electrical Emergency NSW
These steps are ordered for a reason. Follow them in sequence and do not skip ahead. Speed matters, but so does not making the situation worse.
- Do not touch the person or object involved. If someone is in contact with electricity, touching them can pass the current through you too.
- Cut power at the main switchboard. Locate your switchboard, usually in the garage, hallway, or on an external wall, and switch off the main breaker.
- Call 000 for fire, injury, or electrocution. NSW Fire and Rescue and NSW Ambulance are trained to handle electrical emergencies safely.
- Move everyone away from the hazard. Keep a minimum of 8 metres away from any fallen powerlines outdoors.
- Do not use water on an electrical fire. Use a dry powder or CO2 fire extinguisher only if it is safe to do so.
- Call a licensed electrician once the immediate danger is under control. In NSW, only a licensed electrician can inspect and repair electrical faults legally.
- Do not re-enter the property until emergency services or a qualified electrician confirm it is safe.
ABC Electrical operates an emergency line for urgent call-outs across Woy Woy, Gosford, and the broader Central Coast region. Save the number in your phone before you need it.
Know What NOT to Do During an Electrical Emergency
In a panic, people make mistakes that turn a manageable situation into a tragedy. These are the most common errors NSW homeowners make during electrical emergencies.
- Do not use water to put out an electrical fire. Water conducts electricity and will make things significantly worse.
- Do not try to remove someone from a live source with your bare hands. Use a dry wooden or rubber object only if trained to do so.
- Do not assume the power is off because the lights went out. Some circuits may still be live even after a partial outage.
- Do not reset a tripped breaker repeatedly. A breaker that keeps tripping is telling you something is wrong. Forcing it back on can cause a fire.
- Do not attempt DIY electrical repairs in an emergency. Under NSW law, unlicensed electrical work is illegal and can void your home insurance.
- Do not enter a flooded area where electrical items are present. Floodwater and live electricity is a deadly combination.
Woy Woy and surrounding low-lying areas on the Central Coast are prone to flash flooding after storms. If your home takes on water near the meter box or any power points, do not enter until an electrician has given the all-clear.
Identify the Warning Signs Before an Emergency Happens
Most electrical emergencies do not happen without warning. If you know what to look for, you can act early and avoid a crisis. These are the signs that your home is heading toward an electrical fault.
| Warning Sign | What It Could Mean | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Flickering or dimming lights | Loose wiring or overloaded circuit | Call an electrician for inspection |
| Burning or hot smell near outlets | Arcing or melting insulation | Cut power, call electrician urgently |
| Discoloured or warm power points | Wiring fault or overload | Stop using outlet, call electrician |
| Buzzing or crackling sounds | Loose connections or arcing wires | Call electrician same day |
| Frequent RCD or breaker trips | Faulty appliance or wiring issue | Inspect appliances, call electrician |
| Mild tingling from taps or appliances | Earthing fault | Call electrician immediately |
Older homes in Woy Woy and the Central Coast area, particularly those built before 1990, may have outdated wiring that lacks safety devices like RCDs (residual current devices). These properties carry a higher risk and should be inspected regularly.
Understand NSW Legal Requirements and Ausgrid Protocols
In NSW, all electrical work must be carried out by a licensed electrician. This is enforced by NSW Fair Trading and applies even in emergency situations. Attempting to fix electrical faults yourself is not only dangerous, it is illegal.
For powerlines and infrastructure outside your property boundary, Ausgrid manages the network across the Central Coast, including Woy Woy and Gosford. Here is who to contact for different situations.
- Ausgrid (24/7 faults and emergencies): 13 13 88. Call this number for downed powerlines, street light faults, or power outages affecting your area.
- NSW Fire and Rescue: Call 000 for electrical fires or any situation involving immediate risk to life.
- NSW Ambulance: Call 000 for electric shock or electrocution injuries.
- Licensed electrician: Required for any repair or inspection inside your property. ABC Electrical holds all relevant NSW licences and can respond to emergency call-outs across the Central Coast.
RCDs are mandatory in NSW for new installations and renovations under AS/NZS 3000 wiring rules. If your home does not have RCDs protecting all power and lighting circuits, it does not meet current standards. This is a simple upgrade that can prevent electrocution.
Prepare Your Home Before an Emergency Strikes
The best time to prepare for an electrical emergency is before one happens. A few simple steps now can make a huge difference when seconds count.
- Locate your main switchboard now. Every adult in your household should know where it is and how to switch it off quickly.
- Label your circuit breakers clearly. Knowing which breaker controls which area of your home saves time during a fault.
- Install RCDs if your home does not have them. These devices cut power in milliseconds if they detect a fault, preventing electrocution.
- Keep a dry powder fire extinguisher accessible. Never use water on electrical fires. A 2.5kg dry powder extinguisher is suitable for most homes.
- Test your smoke alarms every month. NSW law requires working smoke alarms in all bedrooms and on every level of the home.
- Store your electrician’s emergency contact in your phone. Do not wait until a crisis to search for a qualified local electrician.
- Book an annual electrical safety inspection. A licensed electrician can identify hazards before they become emergencies.
ABC Electrical offers electrical safety inspections for homes across Gosford and Woy Woy. A standard home inspection typically takes one to two hours and covers switchboards, wiring, outlets, and earthing systems.
FAQs on What to Do in an Electrical Emergency NSW
What should I do first if I smell burning from a power point?
Switch off the circuit at your switchboard immediately and unplug anything connected to that outlet. Do not use the outlet again until a licensed electrician has inspected it. A burning smell from a power point usually indicates arcing or damaged wiring inside the wall.
Can I reset my circuit breaker myself after it trips?
You can try resetting a tripped breaker once by switching it fully off and then back on. If it trips again, stop and call an electrician. Repeated tripping means there is an underlying fault that needs professional diagnosis, not a breaker that needs forcing.
What do I do if a powerline falls on my car or near my house in NSW?
Stay inside your car and call 000 immediately. If you must exit due to fire, jump clear without touching the car and the ground at the same time, then shuffle away with small steps. For a line near your home, stay well back and call 000 and Ausgrid on 13 13 88.
Is it safe to use my home after an electrical fire, even a small one?
No. Even a small electrical fire can leave hidden damage inside walls, ceiling cavities, and the switchboard. You need a licensed electrician to inspect the entire affected area before using any power in that part of your home. This is also required for insurance claims in NSW.
How do I know if my Central Coast home has adequate electrical safety devices?
Open your switchboard and look for switches labelled RCD or safety switch. If you cannot find any, your home likely does not meet current NSW standards. Contact a licensed electrician like ABC Electrical to assess your switchboard and install RCDs if needed.
How quickly can an emergency electrician reach Woy Woy or Gosford?
Response times vary by provider, but local electricians based on the Central Coast can typically reach Woy Woy or Gosford within 30 to 60 minutes for genuine emergencies. ABC Electrical is based in Gosford and services the surrounding area with priority response for urgent call-outs.
Wrap Up and Next Steps
Knowing what to do in an electrical emergency NSW could be the difference between a manageable incident and a tragedy. The key steps are simple: cut power if safe, call 000 for life-threatening situations, keep everyone clear, and call a licensed electrician to assess and repair the damage.
Do not wait for an emergency to find your electrician. ABC Electrical is based in Gosford and provides emergency electrical services across Woy Woy, the Central Coast, and surrounding areas. Call us now to save our number, book a safety inspection, or get urgent help when you need it most.
