Power Outages and Fault Finding

Expert Fault Finding for Power Outages

At Hopkinson Electrical, we understand the frustration and inconvenience of unexpected power outages. With over 10 years of experience, our team is dedicated to quickly and efficiently identifying and resolving electrical faults to restore power to your home.

How We Find Electrical Faults

When we're called out to locate a fault in a circuit, our experienced electricians can usually identify the problem within 1-2 hours. The time it takes depends on the nature of the fault and its accessibility. Sometimes, the fault is obvious and gives us clear clues, such as smoke, discolouration, or signs of poor workmanship from previous electricians.

One common scenario we encounter involves homeowners reporting symptoms like:

"I heard a buzzing and then there was a bit of a smell lingering, but it only happened once."

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Warning Signs of Electrical Faults

There are often warning signs that an electrical fault is developing. The scenario described above is more common than you might think, and such faults usually result in a power outage. For example, we were recently called out to a home that had lost half its lights. Upon inspection, we found a smoke alarm that was melted shut. We had to force it open to reveal the issue.

Common Causes of Electrical Faults

These types of problems can usually be prevented with proper installation. Some common causes include:

• Overtightening Screw Terminals: This can break single-core cables.
• Loose Connections: Not tightening the terminals enough can cause a loose joint that worsens over time.
• Using Incorrect Cable Types: Using stranded 1.5mm cable instead of 1mm solid cable can cause issues. (We never use 1mm cable, nor do we stock it.)

Why We Love Fault Finding

We love fault finding because it allows us to apply our extensive experience and problem-solving skills. It's like solving a puzzle—finding the fault, fixing it, and making your home safer than before. This is at the heart of what we do.

Our commitment to fault finding means we are equipped with the best tools and technology to do it effectively and efficiently. Our equipment includes:

• Cable Trackers: To trace cables underground, through walls, and through concrete with a wireless wand.
• High-Voltage Testers: To send high voltages down cables, ensuring no potential faults are missed during visual inspections.
• Inspection Cameras: These can be pushed through tight spaces to provide a clear view of areas that are difficult to access.

Ensuring Your Safety

At Hopkinson Electrical, we are dedicated to providing top-quality service and ensuring the safety of your home. Our thorough fault-finding process and state-of-the-art equipment allow us to identify and fix electrical faults quickly and accurately.

If you're experiencing power outages or suspect an electrical fault, don't hesitate to contact us. Let us use our expertise to restore power and safety to your home.

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Try fixing the fault yourself using this flow chart.
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