Question 1

Power is off in only part of my house. Why?

Accepted Answer

Check the DB first: a tripped MCB or RCCB is the usual cause. On a three-phase supply, one phase may be missing — rooms on that phase go dark while others work. If nothing has tripped, a loose connection or a burnt wire on that circuit needs an electrician.

Question 2

My whole house has no power but the neighbours do. What now?

Accepted Answer

Check the main switch and RCCB in your DB. If they're on, the problem may be your meter's cut-out, the service cable from the pole, or a loose connection at the meter — those belong to the supplier, so report it rather than opening the meter.

Question 3

My voltage is very low and lights are dim. What can I do?

Accepted Answer

Low voltage usually comes from the supply side — an overloaded transformer, a long or thin service cable, or a loose connection. Measure it at a socket, report persistent low voltage to your supplier, and use stabilizers for sensitive appliances meanwhile.

Question 4

Appliances burnt out because of high voltage. What happened?

Accepted Answer

A sudden high voltage that burns several appliances at once is very often a broken or loose neutral on a three-phase supply, which can push one phase towards 400 V. Switch off the main immediately and get the neutral connections — in your DB, meter and the street supply — checked.

Question 5

A socket has stopped working. What should I check?

Accepted Answer

Test it with a lamp or charger you know works, check the circuit's MCB and RCCB, and look for scorch marks. If other sockets on the same circuit work, the socket or its terminals are probably faulty or loose — switch off and have it replaced.

Question 6

There's a burning smell but I can't see where from. What should I do?

Accepted Answer

Treat it as urgent. Switch off at the main switch, then check the DB, switchboards, sockets, plugs and recently used appliances for heat, melted plastic or discolouration. Don't switch back on until an electrician has found the cause.

Question 7

My MCB box is buzzing. Is that dangerous?

Accepted Answer

A buzz or crackle from the DB usually means a loose connection arcing or a breaker that's failing under load. Reduce the load, and have the board inspected and tightened soon — loose connections heat up and can start fires.

Question 8

The switch works but the light won't come on. Why?

Accepted Answer

Most often the bulb or LED driver has failed, or there's a loose connection at the holder, the fitting or the switch. Try a known-good bulb; if that doesn't work, switch off the MCB and have the fitting and switch connections checked.

Question 9

A light won't switch off. What's wrong?

Accepted Answer

The switch may have failed in the 'on' position or its contacts have welded, or the wiring bypasses the switch. Switch off the circuit at the MCB and replace the switch; if it still stays on, the wiring needs checking.

Question 10

My two-way switches don't work properly. Why?

Accepted Answer

If the light only works with one switch in a certain position, the common and traveller wires are usually connected to the wrong terminals on one of the switches. An electrician can trace and swap them in minutes.

Question 11

My doorbell has stopped ringing. What should I check?

Accepted Answer

For a wired bell, check the push button's contacts, the bell itself and the wiring, with the circuit off. For a wireless bell, change the batteries in the push and check the receiver's plug and pairing.

Question 12

My TV or router restarts when the AC or pump starts. Why?

Accepted Answer

The motor's starting surge briefly dips the voltage on your supply. Put sensitive electronics on a different circuit or a small UPS, check for loose connections, and report it if the dips are severe.

Question 13

The MCB trips whenever it rains. Why?

Accepted Answer

Water is getting into something electrical — an outdoor light, a junction box, a damp wall box or a cable joint — and leaking current or shorting. Check outdoor fittings, sealing and boxes on that circuit, and protect outdoor circuits with an RCCB.

Question 14

The RCCB trips at night when nothing seems to be on. Why?

Accepted Answer

Something is switching itself on: a geyser's thermostat, a fridge compressor, a water pump controller, or outdoor lights on a photocell. Switch off MCBs one at a time over a few nights to find the circuit, then check its appliances.

Question 15

The MCB trips the moment I switch it on. What does that mean?

Accepted Answer

There's a short circuit or heavy fault on that circuit. Unplug everything on it and switch off its lights; if it still trips with no load, the fault is in the wiring itself and needs an electrician. Don't keep forcing it on.

Question 16

Why does a plug spark when I put it in?

Accepted Answer

A small spark can happen if the socket is switched on and the appliance draws current immediately (chargers, TVs). Switch the socket off before plugging in. Big sparks, a pop or a burnt smell mean a fault in the appliance or a worn socket.

Question 17

My ceiling fan suddenly stopped. What should I check?

Accepted Answer

Check the MCB, the switch and the regulator (try full speed), and whether the fan hums without turning — that usually means the capacitor has failed. A fan that's silent and dead may have a broken connection or a burnt winding.

Question 18

My water pump hums but won't start. Why?

Accepted Answer

Common causes are a failed starting capacitor, low voltage, a jammed impeller, or a dry-run cut-out. Switch it off immediately — a stalled motor overheats fast — and check the capacitor and voltage before retrying.

Question 19

My iron isn't heating. What could be wrong?

Accepted Answer

Check the socket with another appliance, then the iron's cord and plug for damage. If power reaches it, the thermostat or heating element has probably failed — have it repaired or replaced rather than opening it yourself.

Question 20

My inverter keeps beeping. What does it mean?

Accepted Answer

Usually overload (too many appliances on backup), a low battery, or a battery or wiring fault. Switch off heavy loads first; if it continues, check the battery water level and terminals, and see the inverter's manual for its beep codes.

Question 21

How do I check a socket's voltage with a multimeter?

Accepted Answer

Only if you're confident: set the meter to AC volts above 250 V, hold the probes by their insulated grips, and measure phase–neutral (about 230 V), phase–earth (about 230 V) and neutral–earth (a few volts at most). Large neutral–earth readings point to earthing or neutral problems.

Question 22

Why does one phase light on my three-phase indicator stay off?

Accepted Answer

That phase isn't arriving — a blown supplier fuse, a fault on the line or a loose connection at the meter or main switch. Report it to the supplier; don't try to move loads by joining phases.

Question 23

Why is the neutral wire in my DB burnt?

Accepted Answer

A loose or undersized neutral connection heats up under load until the insulation burns. It's dangerous — it can lead to high voltages and fires. Have the neutral link and connections redone and tightened by an electrician.

Question 24

My lights dim every evening. Why?

Accepted Answer

In the evening peak, everyone's load pulls the area's voltage down, especially at the end of a long line. If it's severe or getting worse, report it to your supplier; a stabilizer protects sensitive appliances meanwhile.

Question 25

I get a mild shock only when I'm barefoot. Why?

Accepted Answer

Being barefoot on a damp floor completes a path to earth, so even a small leakage becomes noticeable. The appliance or its socket isn't properly earthed or is leaking current — get it checked and fit a 30 mA RCCB.

Question 26

Why do my LED lights fail one after another?

Accepted Answer

If lights keep failing, look for a cause: voltage spikes or high voltage from a loose neutral, lights fitted in hot enclosed spaces, a dimmer or electronic switch they don't suit, or water in outdoor fittings. Fix the cause before replacing them again.

Question 27

My exhaust fan runs but doesn't pull air. Why?

Accepted Answer

The blades or grille may be choked with grease or dust, the outside shutter may be stuck closed, or there's no air coming into the room to replace what's pulled out. Clean it, free the shutter and open a door or vent slightly.

Question 28

What should I do after an electrical short circuit?

Accepted Answer

Leave the circuit off, find what caused it (a damaged cord, appliance, socket or wire), and repair or replace that part before switching back on. Check that the MCB tripped properly — a breaker that didn't trip needs replacing.

Question 29

Why does my switchboard feel warm?

Accepted Answer

A board shouldn't feel warm in normal use. Warmth means a loose terminal, a worn switch or socket, or an overloaded point — switch off and get it opened and checked before it chars.

Question 30

Water heater MCB trips as soon as I switch it on. Why?

Accepted Answer

The heating element has most likely shorted or is leaking to earth, or water has reached the wiring. Leave it off and have the element and connections checked — don't keep resetting it.

Question 31

Lights flicker in the whole house. What's going on?

Accepted Answer

House-wide flicker points to the supply or the main connections: a loose neutral or phase at the meter, the main switch or the DB, or voltage fluctuations on the line. It needs prompt attention from an electrician or the supplier.