Emergency call triggers, clear list.
Clear criteria for when electrical issues require emergency response: visible signs of damage, safety equipment failures, or risk of escalation if delayed.
By Steven Lockhart · Reviewed by Alex Towery, C-10 #989290
Updated 2026-06-16
Call emergency electrician immediately for: active sparking or arcing visible at any electrical device, smoke or burning smell from outlet/switch/panel/wall, partial or complete home power loss when neighbors have power, water contacting energized electrical equipment, electrical shock from any device or surface, panel that feels hot to touch or has burning smell. Call same-day (next-business-day if non-critical) for: outlet dead with no other symptoms, occasional breaker trip that resets, single fixture failure. Schedule routine for: project work, upgrades, additions.
01Decision framework: damage vs risk vs convenience.
Three categories help triage electrical issues. Damage indicators (already happening): sparking, smoke, burning smell, heat damage. Risk indicators (could escalate): repeated breaker trips, persistent unusual sounds from electrical equipment, intermittent partial power loss. Convenience issues (not safety-critical): single fixture not working, planned upgrades, scheduling preferences.
Damage indicators justify immediate emergency response — damage is happening, every minute of delay potentially worsens. Risk indicators justify same-day or next-day response — issue is approaching threshold but not yet damaging. Convenience issues schedule for business hours at standard rate — no urgency justifies premium.
02The clear emergency triggers.
Anything visible (sparks, smoke, melting)
Visible signs of electrical distress indicate active failure — energy converting to heat, light, or visible damage instead of supplying intended loads. De-energize affected circuit at main panel, call emergency electrician. Don't try to investigate during active sparking; risk of shock or starting fire.
Anything you can smell (burning, ozone)
Olfactory signs precede visible signs typically. Burning plastic smell, electrical/ozone smell, or burning insulation smell — all indicate overheating somewhere in system. May be obvious source (sparking outlet) or hidden (in-wall connection failing). De-energize suspected circuit if you can identify; call emergency electrician for diagnosis.
Anything that affects safety equipment
Power loss affecting sump pump during rain (basement flood risk), security system, medical equipment (CPAP, oxygen concentrator), refrigeration of important medication — any of these turn power loss from inconvenience into safety issue. Emergency response justified.
03What we hear from delayed calls.
Common pattern: homeowner noticed minor electrical issue, dismissed it as not-an-emergency, issue escalated days/weeks later into actual emergency. 'Burning smell occasionally for two weeks, now panel is smoking.' 'Breaker tripped daily for a month, now main breaker won't stay closed.' 'Outlet was warm when I plugged in heater, now wall is browning above outlet.' Earlier intervention would have been routine repair; delayed intervention becomes emergency.
Reverse pattern also common: homeowner called emergency for issue that turned out to be non-emergency, paid premium unnecessarily. 'GFCI button popped, called emergency electrician, easy reset.' 'One outlet dead, called emergency, needed simple replacement.' Helps customer learn pattern: most isolated outlet/switch/fixture failures without smoke/burning/heat are routine. Investing in dispatcher conversation before authorizing emergency saves money.
Common questions.
What if I'm not sure whether it's an emergency?
Call dispatch and describe symptoms. Our dispatcher can triage with you: 'is it actively sparking? smell anything? feel hot? affecting other circuits?' Based on answers, we'll honestly recommend emergency dispatch, same-day scheduling, or business-hours scheduling. We don't pressure for emergency dispatch when business-hours response is safe — earns customer trust for actual emergencies.
Should I shut off main power as precaution?
Generally yes for any active emergency you're not sure of. Main breaker shutoff stops all electrical activity in home — completely safe pending professional assessment. Downside: refrigerator and freezer warming, no lighting except battery/flashlight. For 1-2 hour emergency response window, this is acceptable. For longer delays, shutoff only affected circuit if you can identify it.
Can I just try to reset breakers myself?
Single reset is generally safe. Breaker trips can be normal (overload from too many appliances). Reset once; if it holds, problem was overload. If it trips again immediately or within minutes, leave it off and call. Don't keep resetting a tripping breaker — repeated reset of failing breaker contributes to arcing damage at breaker connection.
What about during PG&E PSPS (Public Safety Power Shutoff)?
Different scenario. PSPS is planned utility shutoff, not electrical emergency. Your home electrical system is fine; utility has cut grid. Backup generators activate if installed; otherwise wait for grid restoration. PSPS event isn't electrician territory unless backup generator fails to start. PG&E coordinates PSPS via direct customer notification.
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.