Partial Power Outage in Perth: Why Part of the House Has No Power
A partial power outage, where some rooms have power and others do not, is one of the more confusing electrical problems. Unlike a full blackout, a partial power outage usually points to a fault inside your home rather than the network. Here is what causes a partial power outage in Perth and what to do about it.
Is it your home or the network?
The first question with a partial power outage is whether the problem is yours or Western Power’s. A whole-street blackout is a network issue, but if only part of your own home is dark while the rest has power, the fault is almost certainly internal, on one of your circuits or at your switchboard.
6 causes of a partial power outage
- A tripped circuit breaker on one circuit
- A tripped safety switch covering some circuits
- A faulty power point or light on a circuit
- A loose or burnt connection at the switchboard
- An overloaded circuit shutting down
- Ageing wiring with an intermittent fault
Check the switchboard first
Most of the time a partial power outage comes down to a tripped breaker or safety switch. Check your switchboard for any switch sitting in the off or middle position and reset it. If it holds, problem solved. If it trips straight back, there is a fault on that circuit that needs an electrician.
When a circuit will not come back
If resetting does not work, or nothing on the board looks tripped yet part of the house is still dead, the partial power outage is likely a wiring fault, a loose connection, a failed point, or a break in the circuit. These hidden faults need a licensed electrician to trace and repair safely.
Loose connections and old wiring
A common cause of a partial power outage in older Perth homes is a loose or deteriorating connection, often at the switchboard or a junction. These can cut power to part of the home and sometimes cause heat or a burning smell, so they should be checked promptly rather than left.
Is it just one room?
If a partial power outage affects only one room or area, the fault is usually on that circuit, a tripped breaker, a faulty outlet, or a wiring issue feeding it. Because several points share a circuit, one fault can darken a whole room, which an electrician can trace back to the source.
What to do right now
Check whether neighbours have power, to rule out a network outage, then check your switchboard and reset anything tripped. If a partial power outage persists, avoid using the affected circuit and call a licensed electrician, especially if there is any heat, buzzing or burning smell at the board.
Half the house with no power
Sometimes a partial power outage takes out a large part of the home at once, which can point to a main connection or a fault affecting several circuits. This is more serious than a single tripped circuit and should be looked at promptly by a licensed electrician rather than repeatedly reset.
Storms and the network
After a storm, a loss of power to part of the home can occasionally be the network rather than your wiring. Checking whether neighbours are affected, and Western Power‘s outage information, helps tell the two apart before you assume the fault is inside your home.
Why use a licensed electrician
A partial power outage that is not simply a reset-able trip means a fault on your wiring or board, which is licensed work to find and fix. A licensed electrician traces the dead circuit and restores power safely. More on the network side is on the Western Power outages and network page.
Part of your Perth home lost power?
ACS Electrical traces and fixes a partial power outage across the metro. Explore our power outage troubleshooting guide, common electrical faults guide or safety switch tripping guide. Call 0419 967 838.
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