Power cuts are frustrating — whether it’s the middle of your dinner prep, the kids’ homework, or just as you sit down to relax. But when there’s a sudden power failure in Perth, how do you know if it’s a network issue… or something wrong inside your own home?
We’ve helped thousands of Perth homeowners through power cuts, blown fuses, and mysterious blackouts. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common causes, what you can safely check yourself, and when to call our team of licensed electricians.
Power Cut in Perth? Start With These Simple Checks
Before calling Western Power (or us!), there are a few quick things you can do to narrow down the cause.
Ask yourself:
- Are the lights and power out in your entire house, or just part of it?
If only one room is affected, it’s likely a circuit issue inside your home. If everything is off — including your oven, fridge, Wi-Fi and lights — it might be a full outage or a tripped main switch. - Can you hear any noise?
- A loud click or pop might’ve happened just before the lights went out — possibly a fuse blowing or safety switch tripping.
- A constant beeping could come from a smoke alarm running on backup power.
- What about your neighbours?
- Step outside and see if nearby homes still have lights on.
- Are the streetlights working?
- If everyone else has power and only your home is dark, it’s likely an internal electrical issue.
- Check the Western Power Outage Map
- Visit the official Western Power site and check their Power Outage Map to see if there’s a known issue in your area. This is especially helpful if you’re not sure whether it’s just your home or part of a wider outage.
- If there is an outage listed, you can track restoration times and updates.
- If there’s nothing listed, and your neighbours have power, it’s time to check your switchboard or give us a call.
- You can also read more in our Western Power outage guide for additional info.
What to Check at the Switchboard (Even If You’ve Never Opened It Before)
Your switchboard is usually located:
- On the outside wall of your house (near the front door or meter box), or
- In the garage, laundry, or hallway cupboard (this is very unusual!)
Step-by-Step Switchboard Check
- Open the panel carefully — it may be behind a metal or plastic door.
- Look for switches labelled “Main Switch,” “RCD,” or “Safety Switch.” Some switchboards will have labels like “Lights,” “Power,” “Oven,” or “Air Con.”
- Look for any switches that are:
- In the OFF position
- Sitting slightly lower than the others
- Loose or wobbly to touch
- Try gently switching it back to the ON position.
If it switches back and stays on:
That’s a good sign — something may have overloaded the circuit, but it’s not a major fault. Keep an eye on it.
If it clicks back and immediately trips again:
That means something is still causing a fault. Try this next.
How to Troubleshoot a Tripped Circuit (Beginner-Friendly)
- Go around your house and unplug everything from wall sockets — especially in the room affected. That includes:
- Kettles
- Heaters
- Washing machines
- Toasters
- Computers or TVs
- Go back to the switchboard and try turning the switch back on again.
If the switch stays on this time, you’ve likely got a faulty appliance. You can test by plugging them in one at a time until the circuit trips again — that’s your culprit.
If the switch still won’t reset, it could be:
- Water in a light fitting or outdoor plug
- A melted wire or damaged cable
- A deeper fault inside the wall
At this point, it’s time to call our team of licensed electricians — don’t go poking into fittings or wires.
Why Did the Power Go Out?
Not every power cut in Perth is caused by a storm or network fault. Here are the most common causes we see as electricians:
- Overloaded circuits — Too many appliances drawing power at once
- Faulty appliances — A dodgy toaster or heater can trip your safety switch in seconds
- Water ingress — Roof leaks, poor seals or bathroom moisture can get into wiring
- Rodents — Yes, we’ve seen it — chewed cables causing short circuits
- Aging switchboards — Older boards may not handle modern power loads or surge protection needs
If your switchboard looks like it belongs in a museum, it might be time for a switchboard upgrade.
Is It a Network Issue or Just My House?
If everything in your home seems to be working except the power, check these signs:
- Streetlights out? Likely a network fault.
- Neighbours out too? Also points to the grid, not your home.
- You received a letter or SMS? Could be a planned Western Power maintenance outage
- Only your house is out? You’re likely dealing with a local fault inside your home.
When in doubt, you can always check the Western Power outage map or give them a ring on 13 13 51.
A Power Cut Story From Greenwood
Last month, we were called to a home in Greenwood where the power had cut out during dinner prep. The homeowner assumed it was a local outage, but Western Power hadn’t reported anything. When we arrived, we found that water had entered the external light fitting, shorting the circuit and tripping the RCD.
We replaced the fitting, tested the circuit, and had the lights (and oven!) back on that evening — saving dinner and the night’s plans.
It could’ve gone a very different way. If the short circuit had spread further through the external wiring — or if the homeowner had tried to reset the power without unplugging anything — they could have ended up with a serious electrical fire or electrocution risk. Water and electricity are a dangerous mix, and once moisture gets into a fitting, it can corrode components quickly. This type of issue can also damage your switchboard, especially if it happens repeatedly.
We reminded the homeowner to keep an eye on outdoor lights, especially during storm season, and offered a few simple waterproofing suggestions to help avoid repeat issues in future.
Safety First — What NOT to Do During a Power Failure
- Don’t use candles unless absolutely necessary — they’re a major fire risk; we recommend having some battery operated LED torches as a backup
- Don’t open the fridge or freezer more than you need to — food will stay cold longer
- Don’t try DIY repairs on the switchboard or exposed wiring
- Don’t assume it’s “just the weather” — if you’re not sure, check or call for help.
Preventing Power Failures in the Future
We can’t control storms, but we can make your home more resilient.
Consider:
- Upgrading your switchboard to handle modern appliances
- Installing surge protection to prevent damage during storms
- Regular safety switch testing
- Checking powerpoints, light fittings, and outdoor wiring for signs of age or damage
When to Call a Perth Electrician
Call us if:
- You’ve checked the switchboard and can’t reset it
- The same circuit keeps tripping
- There’s a burning smell or signs of melting near a fitting or switch
- You’ve had multiple power cuts in Perth recently and aren’t sure why
- You want advice on upgrading your setup or preparing for storm season
We’ll inspect, test and repair your system safely and explain what happened — so you’re not left guessing the next time it goes out.
Need Help After a Power Failure in Perth?
At P Herman and Co, we’re your trusted residential electricians in Perth — family-run, fully licensed, and ready to help when the power doesn’t cooperate.
We offer:
- Fast response to emergency power issues
- No-obligation quotes for upgrades or repairs
- Honest advice and long-term safety solutions
- Service across Perth’s northern suburbs, from Greenwood to Kingsley and beyond
Call P Herman and Co Today
If you’re dealing with a power failure in Perth, don’t sit in the dark or second-guess what’s wrong. Call P Herman and Co for expert advice, safe repairs, and service you can rely on.