From the team behind Hampstead Renovations · Est. 2009 · Learn more
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⚠ POWER OUTAGE — Check whether the power cut is local or internal before calling an electrician. Never touch electrical panels with wet hands.

Emergency Guide

Power Cut Emergency — What to Do & Who to Call

A power cut in your NW London home can be caused by a local network outage, a tripped circuit breaker, a blown fuse, or a fault in your internal wiring. The first step is always to identify the cause before calling for help. This guide helps you distinguish between network failures and internal faults, and tells you exactly who to call in each scenario.

Call Now: +44 20 8054 8756

Available 24/7 — average 47-minute response

Step-by-Step Emergency Guide

  1. 1

    Check if neighbours are affected

    Look out of the window to see if streetlights are out or neighbouring properties are in darkness. A quick WhatsApp message to a neighbour or check on the UK Power Networks outage map confirms whether this is a local network failure or an internal fault in your property.

  2. 2

    If it is a local outage — report and wait

    If your area is affected, report it to UK Power Networks (covering North London) on 0800 31 63 105. They will give you an estimated restoration time. Priority restoration is given to medical equipment users — register in advance if applicable. Keep the fridge and freezer closed to maintain temperature.

  3. 3

    If only your property is affected — check the consumer unit

    Go to your consumer unit (fuse board — usually in a hallway cupboard, kitchen, or utility room). Look for any switches that have tripped to the middle or OFF position. Try resetting them by pushing fully down then back up. If a breaker immediately trips again, there is a fault on that circuit — do not keep resetting it.

    ⚠ If your hands are wet or there is any water near the consumer unit, do not touch it. Call an emergency electrician immediately.

  4. 4

    Identify which circuit is affected

    Modern consumer units have labelled circuits (e.g. "Kitchen sockets", "Upstairs lights"). Identify which circuits are tripped. A single circuit fault is usually caused by a faulty appliance — unplug everything on that circuit before resetting. If all circuits are off, the main switch may have tripped or there may be a meter fault.

  5. 5

    Call our emergency electrician if you cannot resolve it

    If you cannot identify the fault, if a breaker keeps tripping, if you see burn marks or smell burning near sockets, or if the main switch has tripped, call our emergency electricians on +44 20 8054 8756. Do not attempt to investigate internal wiring yourself.

    ⚠ If you see scorch marks, smell burning plastic, or hear crackling sounds near the consumer unit, this may indicate a fire risk. Leave the property and call 999.

  6. 6

    Ensure safety while the power is off

    Use battery-powered torches rather than candles where possible. If using candles, never leave them unattended. Switch off and unplug sensitive electronics (computers, TVs) before power is restored to protect against surge damage. Move any food at risk of spoiling.

Emergency Numbers

  • UK Power Networks (network outages — North London)

    24/7 — FREE

    0800 31 63 105

  • Hampstead On Demand Emergency Electrician

    24/7

    +44 20 8054 8756

  • Emergency Services (if fire risk)

    24/7

    999

Emergency FAQs

Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?▼
Repeated tripping usually means a faulty appliance on that circuit, an overloaded circuit (too many high-wattage devices), a wiring fault, or a failing breaker itself. Unplug all appliances on the affected circuit, reset the breaker, and plug devices back in one at a time to identify the culprit. If the breaker trips without any load, call an electrician.
What is the difference between a fuse and a circuit breaker?▼
Older properties (pre-1990s) in NW London often have fuse boards with rewireable or cartridge fuses. Modern properties have consumer units with MCBs (miniature circuit breakers) that simply trip and can be reset. If you have a fuse board, it may need upgrading to a modern consumer unit — this is recommended for safety and is often required by insurers.
How much does an emergency electrician cost in NW London?▼
Emergency electrician call-out rates in NW London range from £150–£350 depending on time of day. Evening and weekend rates are typically higher. Our emergency electricians provide a fixed quote before starting any work and all work is certified to Part P Building Regulations.
Can a power cut damage my appliances?▼
Power surges at restoration are the main risk to electronics. Unplug computers, TVs, and other sensitive equipment before power returns if possible. A surge protector power strip provides ongoing protection. Refrigerators and freezers should not be damaged by a short cut, but do not open them unnecessarily to maintain temperature.