Power cut safety guide

Power cut only in my house: what should I do?

A power cut only in your house, while neighbours and nearby street lights still have power, the problem may be inside your electrical installation or at the supply to your property. Use a torch, check only visible indicators and never remove a cover. Heat, smoke, burning smells, crackling, water or visible damage mean you should keep clear and seek urgent help.

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5 min read
Updated 10 Sept 2026
Typically under 60 minutes
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Terraced Manchester street in daylight where one house sits dark while the neighbours' lights are on

What should I do when a power cut affects only my house?

If the power cut is only in your house, check from a safe position whether neighbours and street lights still have electricity, then note whether all or part of your property is off. Never open meter, supply or consumer-unit covers. Report a wider outage to the network operator; seek qualified testing for a property-only fault.

Why is only my house without power?

When nearby properties have power, the cause may be an operated protective device, an installation fault, metering equipment or a very local supply problem. Visible symptoms alone may not identify it.

Expert advice

When one home goes dark, the pattern matters, but it is not a diagnosis. Check only what is visible, avoid repeated resets and let proper testing separate an installation fault from a supply problem.

Mark EllisonSenior Electrical Engineer, TRACEFORM

Confirm whether the power cut affects only your home

Look safely through a window or ask a neighbour whether their lights and sockets work, and check whether nearby street lighting is on. An outage can affect a small number of properties, so one lit house does not prove that the fault is inside yours. Check the electricity network operator's outage information without approaching any damaged outdoor equipment.

Inside, establish whether everything is off or whether only certain lights, sockets, floors or outbuildings have lost power. Partial power loss often points to an individual circuit or protective device rather than total loss of supply. Use a battery torch rather than candles, and do not touch exposed conductors, open the consumer unit or interfere with the meter or sealed supply equipment.

One illuminated neighbouring home does not rule out a very local network outage; check official outage information too.

Older consumer unit on a wall with most breakers switched off

Why a one-property outage needs proper diagnosis

A complete loss in one home can follow operation of a main switch, RCD or other protective device, a fault in fixed wiring, damaged supply equipment, a metering issue or a network fault affecting only one service cable. The dark property alone cannot identify which explanation is correct. Repeatedly resetting switches may re-energise a dangerous fault and should not replace inspection and testing.

Keep fridge and freezer doors closed, unplug sensitive electronics only where plugs are cool, dry and safely accessible, and tell the appropriate support service if anyone depends on powered medical equipment. Never run an extension lead across properties or from an apparently unaffected circuit. A qualified electrician can assess the installation and advise if the evidence indicates that the network or meter provider needs to attend.

A protective device that operates again is warning of a possible fault. Do not keep resetting it.

When to call an emergency electrician

Call urgently if only your property is affected and there is no known network outage, power will not remain on, essential circuits are unavailable, or you notice heat, a burning smell, buzzing, crackling, sparks, water or damage. If there is smoke or fire, leave the property, keep others away and call 999. Only switch off at the consumer unit when it is safe to reach and there is no water, heat, smoke or visible damage nearby.

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Common power-loss patterns

What remains powered can help describe the problem, but only suitable testing can establish the cause.

Everything in one home is offA complete one-property outage may involve main protection, the installation, metering equipment or the incoming supply.
Only part of the home is offWorking sockets or lights elsewhere suggest a circuit or grouped-protection issue rather than complete supply loss.
Power returns then trips againRepeated operation of an RCD or breaker indicates that protection may be responding to a persistent fault.
Nearby homes are also darkSeveral affected properties or street lights point more strongly towards a network outage.
Power loss with warning signsHeat, smoke, burning smells, crackling, water or damage make the loss urgent regardless of its cause.

Who to call

Electrician or Electricity North West?

The network operator owns the supply up to your service fuse. Everything after the meter is your installation and needs an electrician.

Should I call an electrician or Electricity North West about a power cut?

Call Electricity North West free on 105 when neighbours or street lights are also off, or when your supply is dead before the meter. Call an electrician when supply is arriving but the main switch, an RCD or a breaker will not stay on, or when only some circuits are dead.

What you can see	Who to contact	Why
Neighbours and street lights are off too	Electricity North West on 105	A network outage; report it and follow the live outage map
Only your property is off and the main switch is in the off position	Electrician	Something in the installation operated the protection; do not keep resetting
Main switch or RCD trips again as soon as it is reset	Electrician	A fault on a circuit or appliance; leave it off until it is tested
Some circuits work, others are dead	Electrician	A tripped device, a failed connection or a lost line inside the property
Everything is dead, the meter shows nothing and neighbours are fine	Electricity North West on 105	The service fuse or incoming cable before the meter may have failed; only the network operator may work on it
A prepayment meter shows no credit or an error	Your energy supplier	The meter belongs to the supplier, not the network or your wiring
Any smell, heat, smoke or sparking, whoever is at fault	Switch off if safe; 999 for fire or shock, then an electrician	Safety comes before working out who owns the fault

Street off: 105. Your property only, with supply arriving but not staying on: electrician. Never open the meter cupboard cut-out or touch the service fuse; that is Electricity North West's equipment.

Sources

Key facts

Electricity North West advises checking whether neighbours are also without power to help distinguish a local network cut from a property issue.
Source: What to do in a power cut (Electricity North West)
National Grid directs customers to the local electricity network operator for information and support during a power cut.
Source: Power cuts (National Grid)
Electrical Safety First advises using electrical equipment and accessories safely and checking for signs of damage.
Source: Electrical safety at home (Electrical Safety First)

Warning signs

A loss of power accompanied by heat, smoke, smell, noise, water or damage needs urgent attention.

Keep clear of these danger signs

Neighbours and street lights still have power
Every light and socket in your home is off
Only one floor, room or circuit has lost power
An RCD or breaker will not remain on
Buzzing, crackling, heat or a burning smell
Water or visible damage near electrical equipment

Safe initial checks

What to do when only your house has a power cut

Use these steps to establish the extent without opening equipment, touching conductors or attempting a repair.

1Compare neighbours and street lightsFrom safety, see whether neighbours and street lights have power and consult the network operator's outage information.
2Map the outage inside your homeUsing a torch, note whether every circuit is off or whether some lights, sockets or areas still work. Do not remove covers.
3Observe without opening equipmentKeep clear of heat, smoke, smells, buzzing, crackling, sparks, water or visible damage. Leave and call 999 for smoke or fire.
4Choose network or electrician supportIf your property alone remains off, contact a qualified electrician to test safely and identify whether another provider is needed.

Dark hallway with the lights off during a power cut

Do not do thisDanger

Do not use candles near furnishings
Do not remove consumer-unit, meter or supply covers
Do not keep resetting a device that trips again
Do not run an extension lead from another property

Improvised supplies, removed covers and repeated resets can expose people to shock, fire or damaged equipment.

Evidence to noteHelpful

From a safe position, record these details before contacting an electrician:

Whether neighbours and street lights have power
Whether all or only part of your home is off
Which visible switch, if any, has moved
What equipment was running beforehand
Any heat, smell, noise, water or damage

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Possible causes

What can cause a power cut in only one house?

One-property loss can begin in connected equipment, fixed wiring, the consumer unit, metering equipment or the incoming network service.

Operated main protectionAn RCD, RCBO or other protective device may disconnect power after detecting a fault.
Fixed-wiring faultDamage or failure in a circuit can cause protection to operate or leave part of the installation without power.
Faulty connected equipmentAn appliance or other connected load can trigger protective operation and needs proper isolation and testing.
Consumer-unit faultA failed device or connection inside the consumer unit can interrupt one or more circuits.
Metering or supply issueEquipment around the meter or incoming service can fail even when neighbouring properties still have electricity.
Very local network outageA network fault can affect one service cable or a small cluster rather than the whole street.

Important safety noticeUse a battery torch, keep away from water and damaged equipment, and never touch exposed conductors or remove consumer-unit, meter or supply covers.

When it is an emergency

Leave and call 999 for smoke or fire. For heat, smells, crackling, water, damage or power that will not stay on, keep clear and call an emergency electrician.

Smoke, sparks or fire
A burning smell or unusual heat
Crackling or loud buzzing
Water near electrical equipment
Essential medical equipment has lost power

Trust & expertise

Why customers trust TRACEFORM

Local, qualified and evidence-led.

This guide is reviewed by experienced electricians and draws on authoritative UK safety and network guidance.

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Reviewed by

Dan Whitaker

Senior Electrician & Technical Reviewer

Qualified & insured18th Edition, public liability cover
10+ years' experienceDomestic & commercial, Greater Manchester

“When one home loses supply and the neighbours have power, the fault sits between the cutout and the consumer unit. Testing at the main switch quickly tells us whether it is the supplier's equipment or the installation.”

Technical review

10 Sept 2026

Reviewed against BS 7671 and Energy Networks Association guidance on customer-side and network-side supply faults.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Answers to common questions about a power cut affecting only one property.

Should I call the network operator for a power cut only in my house?

Check the network operator's outage information and whether nearby properties or street lights are also off. If only your property or part of it is affected, no outage is listed, or there are danger signs, contact a qualified electrician. They can assess your installation and advise if the evidence points to network or metering equipment.

Can I use a neighbour’s extension lead during a power cut only in my house?

No. A cross-property extension lead can be overloaded, damaged outdoors or create trip and access hazards, while protection and earthing arrangements may be unsuitable. Keep essential equipment safely off and arrange proper help rather than improvising another supply.

Does a power cut only in my house rule out a network problem?

No. It may be a fault in your installation, an operated protective device, a metering issue or a local network fault affecting one service. Safe observation cannot always separate these causes, so check outage information and arrange professional diagnosis if your property alone remains without power.

What observations help diagnose a power cut only in my house?

From a safe position, note when it started, whether neighbours and street lights have power, whether all or only part of your home is off, and what was in use immediately beforehand. Also report any heat, smell, noise, water or visible damage. Do not remove covers or touch exposed conductors to gather information.

May I inspect sealed equipment during a power cut only in my house?

No. Consumer units, meters and supply equipment can contain live parts even when your lights and sockets are off. Never remove covers, break seals or attempt a DIY repair. Keep away from anything wet, hot, damaged or sparking and give the electrician only information visible without dismantling.

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Reviewed by Dan Whitaker, Senior Electrician & Technical Reviewer · Last reviewed 10 September 2026

Help when your home goes dark

Is your home the only one without power?

Do not dismantle equipment or keep resetting protection. Our qualified Manchester electricians provide 24/7 emergency response to assess one-property power loss safely.

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TRACEFORM electrician arriving at a front door at night with a torch

Information to have ready when you call

Safe observations help us understand the priority and likely testing.

Your full postcodeSo we can locate the property
When power went offAnd whether it returned at any point
What still worksLights, sockets, floors or outbuildings
Nearby powerWhether neighbours and street lights are on
Any warning signsHeat, smell, noise, water, smoke or damage
Access detailsWho can safely let the electrician in

What happens when you contact us

We ask focused questions, attend where needed and explain the evidence clearly.

1Tell us what is offCall or WhatsApp with the safe observations and your postcode.
2We assess and testAn electrician checks the installation and identifies where the loss originates.
3We make it safeWe explain the evidence, safe next steps and any repair options clearly.

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Need help now?

Is only your property without power? Get qualified help today.

Keep away from danger signs and do not dismantle electrical equipment. Call or WhatsApp for 24/7 emergency response across Greater Manchester.

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TRACEFORM van parked outside a terraced house at dusk

Power cut only in my house: what should I do?

What should I do when a power cut affects only my house?

Confirm whether the power cut affects only your home

Why a one-property outage needs proper diagnosis

When to call an emergency electrician

Common power-loss patterns

Should I call an electrician or Electricity North West about a power cut?

Sources

Key facts

What to do when only your house has a power cut

What can cause a power cut in only one house?

When it is an emergency

Official guidance

Why customers trust TRACEFORM

Local response across all ten boroughs

Frequently asked questions

Is your home the only one without power?

Is only your property without power? Get qualified help today.