Emergency or routine? Triage guide.
Not every electrical issue is an emergency. Knowing the difference saves money and ensures real emergencies get prompt response.
By Steven Lockhart · Reviewed by Alex Towery, C-10 #989290
Updated 2026-06-16
Genuine electrical emergencies (call immediately): active sparking, smoke from electrical equipment, burning smell from outlets/panel/wall, partial home power loss potentially affecting safety equipment, water contacting energized equipment, electrical shock from any device. Non-emergencies (schedule for business hours): one outlet not working with no other symptoms, recurring breaker trip that resets reliably, ceiling fan or light fixture not working, project planning, dimmer issues, switch replacement, outlet additions, lighting upgrades. Triage triggers and what to do for each.
01Why triage matters for everyone.
Most homeowners aren't sure whether their electrical issue is emergency-grade or can wait. Either error costs money: treating routine issues as emergencies pays premium rates unnecessarily; treating real emergencies as routine allows damage and risk escalation. Clear triage helps homeowners make right call.
Marin electrical infrastructure includes a mix of vintages and conditions. Older homes (1950s-1970s panels, aluminum branch wiring) have more frequent legitimate emergencies — aging infrastructure approaching failure thresholds. Newer construction (post-1990) has fewer true emergencies — when issues occur, often manufacturer defects appearing in warranty period or installation defects emerging years later.
02Real emergency criteria.
Visible heat, smoke, or flame
Anything you can see indicating excess heat — smoke from outlet/switch/panel, browning around outlet face, melted plastic. These indicate active arcing or overheating that can escalate to fire within minutes-to-hours. De-energize circuit at panel, call immediately, don't wait.
Burning smell with no obvious source
Burning plastic or electrical odor in home with no obvious source (no burnt food, no fireplace use) likely indicates overheating wire connection. Find which circuit smells worst, de-energize at panel, call immediately. Burning smell that comes and goes typically gets worse as failing connection deteriorates.
Multiple breakers tripping or main breaker tripping
Single breaker tripping occasionally is routine. Multiple breakers tripping simultaneously, or main breaker tripping, indicates more significant system issue — possibly service entrance problem, ground fault, or load imbalance. Don't keep resetting; call for diagnosis.
03Non-emergency examples and what to do.
Single outlet not working with no visible damage, no burning smell, no warmth: not emergency. Try to reset GFCI if applicable; check breaker for that circuit; if outlet is dead but no other symptoms, schedule for business-hours service ($145-$185 vs $235-$335 emergency premium). Single light fixture failure: replace bulb first; if still not working and no other symptoms, schedule routine service. Single dimmer issue, switch failure, occasional flicker: routine scope.
Project work (panel upgrades, dedicated circuits for new appliances, EV charger installation, lighting remodels): always routine, never emergency. Permitting and inspection requirements alone mean these can't happen as emergency response. Plan ahead, get quotes during business hours, schedule installation properly. The same work done as 'emergency' rush would cost more, take longer to permit, and produce worse results.
Common questions.
My breaker keeps tripping — emergency?
Depends on context. Breaker trips occasionally (overload from too many appliances): not emergency, identify and reduce load. Breaker trips immediately on reset: likely short circuit or significant ground fault — don't keep resetting, call for diagnosis (can be next business day if circuit is non-critical, today if critical). Breaker trips and reset feels hot or smells hot: emergency, call now.
I smell electrical smell occasionally — emergency?
Light electrical odor that comes and goes near specific appliance: likely that appliance, not house wiring — check appliance condition. Persistent electrical odor without obvious source, especially if intensifying: emergency, call. Strong burning plastic smell: emergency regardless of other symptoms.
Half my house has no power — emergency?
Usually emergency, sometimes not. Half-home power loss often indicates main panel issue (one of two utility hot legs lost), service entrance problem, or major branch issue. If neighbors have full power (so it's your home specifically), call same-day at minimum. If multiple homes affected: probably PG&E issue, check with neighbors and PG&E outage map before calling electrician.
Power flickered briefly — emergency?
Single brief flicker (less than a second): often utility issue or appliance startup, not emergency. Repeated flickering: depends on pattern — if when major appliance starts (HVAC, well pump), often normal high-load behavior; if random and frequent, suggests connection issue, schedule diagnostic. Power that flickers and then drops out: more concerning, call for assessment.
How do you handle pricing — flat fee or hourly?
Both, depending on scope. Routine service calls and predictable scope (panel replacement, EV charger install, transfer switch install, fixture replacement) are flat-fee quoted up front. Diagnostic visits and emergency scope are hourly because we don't know what we'll find. Either way, you get a written quote before work starts on anything significant, and we don't proceed beyond the quote without your sign-off.
How quickly can you schedule?
Depends on scope and season. Emergency dispatch: same-day across Marin County (1-3 hours business hours, 1-4 hours after-hours). Same-day standard service: 3-6 hours from call when capacity allows; otherwise next business day. Scheduled service work: 1-3 weeks typical. Larger projects requiring permits and PG&E coordination: 4-12 weeks depending on scope. We're upfront about timeline at the quote stage.
What warranty do you offer on work?
Our standard residential warranty: 2 years on labor, manufacturer warranty on parts (varies by product — typically 1-10 years). Major installs (panels, generators, EV chargers) often have longer manufacturer warranties (5-10 years). If there's an issue with our work in the warranty period, we come back and fix it at no cost. We also stand behind work past warranty — repeat customers and referrals matter more than a transactional fix.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. California State License Board C-10 Electrical Contractor #989290, in good standing. Carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance as required by California law. Bondable on projects requiring it. Happy to provide proof of insurance to clients or property managers on request. License lookup: cslb.ca.gov.
Emergency response across Marin County.
Same-day dispatch for safety scenarios. Typical on-site time 1-3 hours weekday, 1-4 hours after-hours.