IN THIS ARTICLE
A power point that’s stopped working is one of those faults that’s easy to fix yourself — or a sign of something that needs a licensed electrician. Here’s how to tell the difference.
John Graham, Certified Master Electrician at Northern Lights Lighting and Electrical, walks through the diagnostic steps he uses on every callout.
Step 1: Check the circuit breaker
The most common cause of a dead power point is a tripped circuit breaker. Head to your switchboard and look for any breaker that’s in the off position or sitting in the middle rather than fully on.
Reset it by flipping it fully off, then back on. If it trips again immediately, stop — something on that circuit is causing a fault and needs professional attention.
Step 2: Check nearby RCD safety switches
If your switchboard has RCD switches (labelled “Safety Switch” or with a test button marked “T”), check whether one has tripped. RCDs protect groups of circuits and will cut power to everything on that group when they detect a fault.
Reset by pressing the switch back to the on position. If it won’t stay on, unplug everything on that circuit and try again. If it still won’t reset, call an electrician — something on the circuit has a fault the RCD is correctly detecting.
Step 3: Check whether it’s a single outlet or a whole circuit
Plug a lamp into other power points in the same room and nearby rooms. If it’s just the one outlet, the outlet itself may be faulty. If multiple outlets are out, it’s a circuit-level issue.
Step 4: Inspect the outlet
Look for any scorch marks, blackening, or cracking around the outlet. If you see any of these, do not use the outlet. Turn off the circuit at the switchboard and call an electrician — this indicates heat buildup, which is a fire risk.
If the outlet looks physically fine but still isn’t working, it may have a loose internal connection — something only a licensed electrician should open up and check.
When to call an electrician
- The breaker or RCD trips again immediately after resetting
- The RCD won’t reset even with everything unplugged
- There are scorch marks, burning smells, or a warm outlet
- Multiple outlets in different rooms are dead
- The outlet sparks significantly when you plug something in
Intermittent faults — where an outlet works sometimes but not others — are particularly worth getting checked. They often indicate a loose connection that will worsen over time.
Common questions
Can I replace a faulty outlet myself?
No. All fixed wiring work in New Zealand must be carried out by a registered electrician. Replacing an outlet includes wiring connections — that’s licensed work.
Why does my power point spark when I plug something in?
A small spark is normal — it’s just the initial draw of current. A large, repeated, or prolonged spark is not normal and warrants an electrician.
Why does my breaker keep tripping on that circuit?
Either the circuit is overloaded (too many high-draw appliances running simultaneously) or there’s a wiring fault. Unplug some appliances and try again. If it keeps tripping, call an electrician.
Still no power to that outlet?
