Common faults we investigate

  • Tripping circuits. A breaker or RCD that trips repeatedly, sometimes when a particular appliance is used, sometimes for no obvious reason.
  • Dead sockets. One socket, or a whole run of them, that has stopped working.
  • Lighting faults. Lights that flicker, won’t come on, or trip the circuit when switched.
  • Intermittent problems. Faults that come and go, which are often the most frustrating to live with.

What to tell us

You don’t need to diagnose anything. The most useful things to include when booking are what happens, when it started, whether it’s linked to any appliance or time of day, and which rooms are affected. A photo of your consumer unit with the tripped switch visible helps too.

How long diagnosis takes

Fault finding is the one area where we can’t predict time precisely. Some faults are found in minutes, for example a failed accessory or a faulty appliance plugged into the circuit. Others, particularly intermittent ones or faults on cables hidden in walls, take longer to trace.

Your electrician will work methodically within the booked time and keep you informed. If the fault needs more time than the visit allows, they’ll explain what they’ve found so far and the options, whether that’s adding time on the day where available or arranging a further visit. Nothing extra is carried out without your agreement.

Safety first

If you can smell burning, see scorch marks, or a breaker won’t reset, switch the affected circuit off and leave it off until it has been looked at. If you believe there is an immediate danger, contact the emergency services.

Something keeps tripping? Book an electrician in York and tell us what you’re seeing.

Once the fault is found

Often the fix is a simple accessory replacement, which can usually be done in the same visit. See electrical repairs in York.

Questions about faults

Do I need to know what the fault is?

No. Just describe what is happening, for example “the kitchen sockets stopped working yesterday” or “the lights flicker when the shower is on”. Your electrician will take it from there.

What can be completed in an hour?

It depends on the complexity of each job, access, the condition of the existing installation and whether materials are to hand. Straightforward jobs like replacing a socket or fitting a light often take well under an hour. We can’t guarantee a set number of jobs, but we will work efficiently through your list and tell you if more time is needed.

What if the electrician needs longer?

If the work is taking longer than the booked time, your electrician will explain the options. That may mean adding extra time on the day where availability allows, or arranging a separate quotation for larger work. Nothing extra is carried out without your agreement.