Waiting safely, steps that matter.
Active sparks or fire? Get out and call 911 first. For non-fire emergencies, isolate the affected circuit or main panel and wait for professional arrival.
By Steven Lockhart · Reviewed by Alex Towery, C-10 #989290
Updated 2026-06-16
If you see flames or active fire from electrical equipment: leave home, call 911 first, then electrician. For electrical emergencies without active fire: shut off affected circuit at main panel (or main breaker if you can't identify circuit), avoid touching anything still potentially energized, ventilate if burning smell is strong, do not attempt repairs yourself, keep family and pets away from affected area, document with photos if safe to do so, ensure electrician access path is clear. Don't reset tripping breakers repeatedly during wait.
01Priorities while waiting.
Safety first, evidence preservation second, repair preparation third. Most emergency electrical responses arrive within 30-90 minutes; the wait window is short enough that perfect setup isn't required, but a few minutes of preparation makes the electrician's diagnosis faster and your repair less expensive.
What to avoid during wait: trying to investigate or repair the issue yourself, resetting tripping breakers repeatedly, unplugging or replugging devices that may have caused the issue (preserves evidence and prevents further damage), opening the electrical panel beyond the simple breaker panel cover (live components inside), or attempting to call multiple electricians and creating dispatch confusion.
02Step-by-step for common scenarios.
Active sparking from outlet/switch
Identify which circuit serves the affected device (usually labeled at panel). Shut off that breaker at main panel. If you can't identify, shut off main breaker (kills all home power but completely safe). Don't touch the sparking device. Photograph from safe distance if possible. Keep family/pets out of room. Open windows if smoke is present.
Burning smell with no visible source
Try to identify location of strongest smell. If isolated to one room/area: shut off circuit breakers serving that area at main panel. If smell is panel-room or throughout home: shut off main breaker (everything off, completely safe). Open windows for ventilation. Don't try to find the source by removing outlets or switches yourself.
Complete or partial power loss
Verify it's your home (check neighbors, PG&E outage map). If yours alone: check main breaker (may have tripped) — reset once gently; if it doesn't stay, don't force. Check panel for any obviously tripped branch breakers. Don't open panel covers beyond simple breaker access. If main breaker won't stay reset or there's any unusual smell/sound at panel: don't try further, await electrician.
03What helps the electrician arrive faster.
Clear communication at dispatch: accurate address, gate codes if applicable, parking situation, specific symptoms, when issue started. Saves diagnosis time. Have someone able to greet electrician at door — electrician arriving to locked house with no answer wastes critical response time.
Information to gather while waiting: when did issue start (suddenly or gradually), what was happening when it started (any new appliance plugged in, weather event, breaker reset attempt), any prior similar issues, any home electrical work in recent years. This context speeds diagnosis significantly. Electrical issues often have multi-factor causes; homeowner observation context matters.
Common questions.
Should I turn off main power as precaution?
If issue is active (sparking, smoke, burning smell) and you can't isolate the specific circuit: yes, main shutoff is safe and prudent. If issue is dormant (already-failed device, intermittent issue): isolating the affected circuit is sufficient. When in doubt, main shutoff while waiting is always safe — momentary inconvenience vs zero electrical risk.
Can I look inside the panel myself?
Open the cover that exposes the breakers — yes, normal homeowner access. Remove the inner cover ('deadfront') that exposes live components — no, not safe without training. Identifying which breaker serves which circuit is appropriate homeowner activity. Investigating beyond breaker face is electrician territory.
What if I have a generator running already?
If your generator is running because PG&E grid is down, that's normal use, not emergency electrical scenario for your home wiring. If generator started due to electrical issue at your panel (you didn't have a grid outage), that's unusual and worth mentioning to the electrician. Keep generator outside running normally during electrician arrival — don't shut down without electrician guidance.
Should I unplug everything?
Generally yes for sensitive electronics (computers, TVs, audio equipment) that could be damaged by voltage transients during electrician's diagnostic work. Don't unplug refrigerators (food preservation matters during outages) or medical equipment (if applicable) unless instructed. Unplugging tells electrician you're being careful and minimizes further damage risk during diagnostic.
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.