Electrical Lights work but power points don’t: what’s going on?
Lights and power points sit on separate circuits, so one can fail alone; note what is affected and call a licensed electrician.
Lights and power points are normally on separate circuits, so one can fail while the other keeps working. Common causes include a protective device that has operated, a faulty appliance, or a wiring or connection fault. Checking switchboards and power points is licensed work, so note what is affected and call a licensed electrician.
Why can lights work when power points don’t?
Homes are wired in several circuits. Lighting usually has its own circuits, and power points are on others, often split by area. Each circuit has its own protection at the switchboard. A problem on one circuit does not necessarily affect the others, which is why part of a house can lose power while the rest carries on.
What might be behind it?
- A protective device has operated. A circuit breaker or safety switch has cut the power to the power point circuit, often because of an overload or a fault.
- A faulty appliance. An appliance may have caused the problem that made the protection operate.
- A loose or failed connection. A connection in the wiring, at a power point or in the roof space may have come loose or failed.
- Damaged wiring. Water, age, heat, pests or building work can damage cables.
From outside the walls there is no reliable way to tell these apart, and several are safety issues in their own right.
Why not look inside the power point or switchboard?
Because it involves live wiring. Diagnosing and repairing these faults is electrical work, and in Queensland it must be done by a licensed electrician. The Electrical Safety Office Queensland is the regulator. Replacing a power point also counts as electrical work, even though it can look simple. You can read the regulator’s guidance at electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/ddiy.
Could it be the whole street?
If lights and power points are both affected, or neighbours have lost power, contact your network provider’s faults line. If only some power points have failed and your lights work, it is most likely a problem in your home.
What happens when you call a licensed electrician
You describe the pattern
Tell them which power points are affected, whether lights are working and when it started.
They test the circuit
The electrician checks the circuit, protective devices and connections with the right test equipment.
They repair and explain
They fix the fault, explain what caused it and tell you if anything else needs attention. Ask for documentation for the work.
How urgent is it?
If there are no warning signs such as smells, heat or sparks, it is usually not an emergency, but it should not wait long. A fault that cut off one circuit could also be the early stage of something that gets worse. Depending on what is on the affected circuit, such as a fridge, medical equipment or a home office, you may want a quick visit. Tell the electrician what depends on those power points so they can prioritise sensibly.
Frequently asked questions
Power points are often on circuits that serve particular areas, so a fault on that circuit affects only that area.
Yes. A faulty appliance can cause a protective device to operate, which cuts power to its circuit. A licensed electrician can confirm.
It can be, particularly if there is a loose connection, heat or a burning smell. If you notice any of those, treat it as urgent.
No. In Queensland, replacing a power point is electrical work that must be done by a licensed electrician.
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