24/7 Emergency Electrical Repairs for Industrial & Facility Managers in Exeter

Next, establish whether the problem is on the network or inside the building. A wider power cut affecting neighbouring premises is a matter for the distribution network operator, reported through the 105 power cut service. If the fault is inside the building, the information you give an independent electrical contractor makes a real difference: which areas are affected, what tripped and where, what was happening at the time, and whether critical systems such as lifts, fire alarms, servers or refrigeration are affected.

Preparation pays off when something goes wrong. Keep up-to-date distribution schematics and circuit charts, the location of the main intake and switchrooms, key and access arrangements, the latest EICR, and operation and maintenance manuals where they can be found quickly, and label the main isolators clearly. Sites with a high-voltage supply need authorised persons under their own electrical safety rules, and only people appointed under those rules should operate high-voltage switchgear. Knowing that in advance prevents delay and unsafe improvisation.

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 expect work on or near conductors to be done dead unless there is a strong justification for live working. In practice, the attending electrician will need to isolate and lock off the affected circuits, which may widen the disruption for a short period. Agree what will be switched off, who will tell occupiers, and how critical loads will be protected, including whether a temporary generator is needed and who is competent to connect it.

Many urgent faults have an underlying cause that a quick repair does not address: overloaded circuits after a change of use, water ingress from a roof or plant, deteriorated cables, rodent damage or failing switchgear. Once power is safely restored, ask for a written description of what was found, what was done, any temporary measures left in place and what further work is recommended, together with a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate or other certification suited to the repair. Photographs of damaged components help explain the cause to insurers and senior managers.

Follow up properly. Update circuit charts and schematics if anything changed, check that emergency lighting and fire alarm systems have been tested after the outage, record the incident in your maintenance system, and tell your insurer if there was damage or business interruption. Walk the affected area with the electrician before signing the job off. If the fault reveals wider problems, bring the periodic inspection forward rather than waiting for its due date.

Arrangements for urgent work are best agreed before they are needed. When talking to the electrical contractors you are put in touch with, ask how out-of-hours call-outs are arranged and charged, what information they would want to hold about your sites in advance, whether they can work within a permit-to-work system, and how they report back to the facilities team after each visit.