If your power is out but neighbors have power — start here.
Power out on your property but not on the street means the issue is internal — main breaker, service entrance, or panel. Don't wait for PG&E to fix what isn't theirs to fix.
By Steven Lockhart · Reviewed by Alex Towery, C-10 #989290
Updated 2026-06-16
Internal outage (only your home affected) has three likely causes: (1) main breaker has tripped, (2) service entrance issue at the weatherhead/meter, (3) panel failure. First check: locate main panel, look for the largest breaker at top — if in middle or off position, reset firmly to OFF then to ON. If reset doesn't restore power or breaker trips again immediately, call electrician. Don't keep resetting — repeated tripping signals a real problem.
01First check: the main breaker.
Open your main electrical panel and locate the main breaker — typically the largest breaker at the top of the panel, labeled '100', '125', '150', or '200' (the amperage). It controls power to the whole panel. If it's tripped, it'll be in the middle position (between ON and OFF) or fully OFF. Reset by pushing firmly to OFF first, then to ON. If power restores: you had a transient overload event; monitor for repeated trips. If it doesn't restore or trips again immediately: stop, don't keep cycling, call an electrician same-day.
Why not keep resetting? Repeated breaker trips signal one of three things: a fault on a downstream circuit (short, ground fault), a failing breaker that can't hold load reliably, or a service entrance issue feeding bad power into the panel. Repeated resets on a fault condition can damage the breaker further, create electrical fire risk if there's arcing in a fault, and don't fix anything. The breaker tripped because it sensed danger — respect that signal.
02Other internal causes to know about.
Service entrance issue
Damaged weatherhead (where the service drop meets the house), corroded or loose connections at the meter base, failed service entrance conductors. Symptoms: power loss often after storms or windy conditions; sometimes intermittent. Requires electrician + sometimes PG&E coordination.
Failed main breaker
Main breakers can fail in older panels (15+ years). Symptoms: panel reset doesn't restore power, or restores briefly then trips again. Repair: panel work, potentially main breaker replacement or panel upgrade. Cost $400-$1,200 for breaker swap; $3,000-$6,000 for panel upgrade.
Failed panel (Federal Pacific, Zinsco)
Some panel makes from the 1960s-80s have known failure modes — Federal Pacific Stab-Lok and Zinsco panels especially. Symptoms can include intermittent power loss, breaker won't reset, or partial outage. Full panel replacement recommended for safety.
03When to call vs wait.
Call electrician same-day (or emergency) if: main breaker won't reset, main breaker trips repeatedly after reset, panel makes noises (buzzing, crackling), panel feels warm to touch, scorch marks visible on panel, partial outage (some circuits work, others don't but the main is on). These are urgent — wait time risks fire or further damage.
Wait until next business day if: main breaker tripped once, reset cleanly, all power restored, no repeat trips for 24+ hours. Even with successful single reset, scheduling a panel inspection within a few days is wise — the trip happened for a reason and identifying it prevents future issues. Towery Electric offers same-day emergency dispatch for repeated trips or won't-reset scenarios across Marin.
Common questions.
Could my issue still be PG&E even if neighbors have power?
Rarely — PG&E service issues that affect only one home are unusual but possible (transformer feeding only one home, service drop pulled loose). Call PG&E (1-800-743-5000) first to rule out, then call electrician if PG&E confirms grid side is fine. Often PG&E and electrician coordination is needed; we work with PG&E regularly on service entrance issues.
Is it safe to use my main panel during an internal outage?
Approaching the panel to look at it is safe. Resetting the main breaker once is generally safe. Repeated resets when there's a fault condition are not safe — fault conditions involve arcing and high current that can damage equipment and start fires. Trust the breaker — if it won't hold after one reset attempt, call a professional rather than forcing the issue.
How fast can you respond to a panel emergency?
Towery Electric provides same-day emergency response across Marin County (typically 1-3 hours from call to on-site, weekdays and weekends, business hours and after-hours). Critical safety scenarios (smoke, scorching, repeated breaker trips with no obvious cause) get priority dispatch. Standard pricing applies during business hours; after-hours rates apply nights/weekends/holidays per our service agreement.
Could it be a meter issue?
Yes, sometimes. Meter base issues (corroded, loose connections at the meter) can interrupt power to the home without affecting neighbors. Diagnostic requires opening or examining the meter base — work that requires coordination with PG&E (the meter belongs to PG&E). We diagnose visible issues and coordinate with PG&E when meter work is needed.
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.
Talk to a licensed electrician in Marin.
Family-run, C-10 #989290, 20+ years in the trade. Honest scoping, fair pricing, work that lasts.