The lights in the kitchen are working, but the bedroom power points are dead. The refrigerator is still running, but the microwave and oven clock have switched off. Perhaps one side of the home appears normal while several unrelated rooms have suddenly lost power.
This is commonly described as “half the house losing power”, but the layout of the outage is often more complicated than it first appears.
Homes are divided into electrical circuits, and those circuits do not necessarily follow the floor plan. One circuit may supply power points across several rooms. Another may supply the lights. Larger appliances such as air conditioners, ovens, hot water systems and pool pumps may each have their own dedicated circuit.
That means a partial outage could involve:
- One faulty appliance
- One tripped electrical circuit
- Several circuits protected by the same safety switch
- A damaged cable or loose connection
- A switchboard fault
- Loss of part of a multi-phase electricity supply
- A problem with the service connection or electricity network
- A battery backup system powering only selected circuits
The amount of the home that still has power does not tell you whether the problem is minor. The behaviour of the remaining lights, appliances and circuits is often more important.
A Partial Outage Is Not Always Literally Half the House
Electrical circuits are normally grouped according to their purpose, expected load and the way the home was wired.
For example, one home might have:
- A circuit supplying bedroom and hallway lights
- A circuit supplying general power points across several rooms
- A separate kitchen power circuit
- A dedicated oven circuit
- A dedicated air-conditioner circuit
- A separate hot water circuit
- An outdoor, shed or pool circuit
If one of those circuits switches off, the resulting outage can appear random. A power point in the lounge may stop working while another outlet only a few metres away remains operational because the two outlets are connected to different circuits.
This is why walking from room to room and counting what works will not always reveal the cause.
The First Question: Is the Power Stable Where It Is Still Working?
This is the most important distinction.
If one clearly defined group of lights or power points has switched off while everything else remains stable, the problem may be isolated to one circuit.
If the remaining lights are dull, flickering, surging or changing brightness, the home may be experiencing inconsistent supply rather than a simple tripped circuit.
Warning signs include:
- Some lights becoming unusually bright
- Other lights becoming dull
- Appliances restarting or repeatedly switching off
- The internet router rebooting
- Unusual buzzing from the switchboard or meter area
- Only part of the home receiving usable power
- Shocks or tingles from taps, appliances or metal surfaces
If your lights were changing brightness before part of the home lost power, read our related guide: Why Do My Lights Dim When an Appliance Turns On?
Common Reasons Only Part of a Home Loses Power
1. A Circuit Breaker Has Tripped
A circuit breaker protects electrical wiring from excessive current.
It may operate because:
- Too many appliances were being used on one circuit
- An appliance developed a fault
- A short circuit occurred
- A cable or electrical fitting was damaged
- A connection deteriorated
- Water entered electrical equipment
When one circuit breaker trips, only the equipment connected to that circuit normally loses power. The rest of the home may continue working.
Because circuits can cross several rooms, a tripped breaker might affect bedroom outlets, a hallway power point and part of the lounge while leaving nearby lights operational.
2. A Safety Switch Has Detected Current Leakage
A safety switch performs a different job from a circuit breaker.
It monitors the electrical current and disconnects the supply when it detects current leaking away from its intended path. This leakage may create an electric shock risk.
A safety switch may operate because of:
- A faulty appliance
- Moisture inside an outdoor fitting
- A damaged extension lead
- A faulty power point
- Damaged electrical wiring
- A fault in pool or pump equipment
- Water entering equipment after rain
Depending on the switchboard design, one safety switch may protect several circuits. When it trips, multiple areas of the home may lose power together.
Power Bolt has a separate guide explaining the difference between these protective devices: Safety Switch or Circuit Breaker: What Actually Tripped?
3. A Faulty Appliance Has Taken the Circuit Down
Sometimes the outage begins at the exact moment an appliance is switched on.
Common examples include:
- A kettle or toaster
- A portable heater
- A washing machine
- A clothes dryer
- A refrigerator or freezer
- A dishwasher
- A pool pump
- An outdoor appliance
- A power tool
The appliance may have developed insulation damage, water ingress, an internal short circuit or another electrical fault.
The fact that an appliance was working yesterday does not prove that it is safe today. Electrical components can fail suddenly, and faults may only appear when a motor starts, a heating element energises or moisture reaches part of the appliance.
4. A Connection or Cable Has Failed
Not every partial outage is caused by a protective device operating.
A loose, overheated or damaged connection can interrupt power to everything located after that point in the circuit.
Possible locations include:
- A power point
- A light fitting
- A junction or cable connection
- A circuit protection device
- The switchboard
- The consumer mains
- The property’s service connection
The visible outage may therefore be the final symptom of a connection that has been deteriorating for some time.
Buzzing, crackling, heat, discolouration or a burning smell should be treated seriously. Do not continue using nearby switches, outlets or appliances while waiting to see whether the problem returns.
5. Rain or Moisture Has Affected an Outdoor Circuit
Partial power loss after rain is a common fault-finding clue.
Moisture may enter:
- Outdoor power points
- Security lights
- Garden lighting
- Pool equipment
- Pump controls
- Shed wiring
- Damaged conduits or junctions
The affected equipment may trip a safety switch shared with other circuits inside the home. This can make an outdoor fault appear to be an unrelated indoor outage.
Do not open wet fittings or attempt to dry fixed electrical equipment yourself. The source of the moisture and the electrical fault both need to be identified.
6. Part of a Multi-Phase Supply Has Been Lost
Some homes have more than one phase of electricity, particularly properties with larger electrical loads, multiple air conditioners, large workshops, pools, pumps or other high-demand equipment.
Different circuits may be distributed across those phases.
If one phase of a multi-phase supply is lost, the circuits connected to it may switch off while circuits on the remaining phase or phases continue working.
This can create an apparently random pattern involving several unrelated rooms and fixed appliances.
A phase may be lost because of a fault within the property, connection equipment or the electricity network. Electrical testing is required to establish where the supply has been interrupted.
7. There Is a Problem With the Incoming Electricity Supply
The fault may be outside the home.
Possible network or service problems include:
- A damaged service line
- A failed connection
- Storm or tree damage
- A network equipment fault
- Low or inconsistent supply voltage
- Loss of one phase to a multi-phase property
A network fault does not always create a complete blackout. It can leave parts of a property operating while other circuits receive no power or unstable voltage.
This is why partial supply accompanied by flickering, dimming, brightening or appliance resets must not be treated as an ordinary tripped breaker.
8. A Home Battery Is Powering Selected Backup Circuits
If your home has solar battery backup, some circuits may be designed to remain operational during a network outage.
The backup system may supply only essential loads such as:
- The refrigerator
- Selected lights
- Internet equipment
- A small number of power points
- Security or communication equipment
High-demand equipment such as ovens, air conditioners, hot water systems or pool pumps may deliberately remain off.
In that situation, having power in only part of the home may be the intended operation of the backup system rather than an electrical fault.
However, if the system is behaving differently from its normal backup configuration, contact the battery installer or a suitably qualified electrician.
What the Pattern of the Outage Can Tell an Electrician
| What you notice | What may require investigation |
|---|---|
| One appliance has stopped working | The appliance, plug, lead or outlet supplying it |
| One power point is dead | The outlet, its connections or the section of circuit supplying it |
| Power points are off but lights still work | A general power circuit, safety switch or circuit breaker |
| Lights are off but power points still work | A lighting circuit or its protective device |
| Several unrelated rooms lose power together | A shared safety switch, switchboard connection or upstream supply issue |
| Power is lost when one appliance starts | The appliance, its dedicated circuit or an overloaded shared circuit |
| The fault appears after rain | Outdoor fittings, pool equipment, pumps, shed wiring or water ingress |
| Some circuits work but remaining lights flicker or surge | Inconsistent supply, a connection fault or a problem requiring urgent attention |
| Only nominated essential circuits work during a street outage | The normal operation of a battery backup system |
These observations help describe the problem, but they do not replace electrical testing.
Should You Reset the Switch?
Only consider resetting a switch when the problem is clearly limited to one circuit, the remaining electricity supply is completely stable and there are no signs of:
- Flickering, dimming or unusually bright lights
- Burning smells
- Heat or discolouration
- Buzzing or crackling
- Water around electrical equipment
- Shocks or tingles
- Damage to the switchboard or service line
If it is safe to do so, switch off and unplug appliances connected to the affected circuit before resetting the protective device once.
If it trips again, stop.
Do not repeatedly reset it, hold it in position or begin switching unrelated devices on and off. The protective device is responding to a condition that needs to be identified.
Never remove a switchboard cover, touch internal components or attempt to tighten connections.
When You Should Not Touch the Switchboard
Do not approach or touch the switchboard when partial power is accompanied by:
- Dull or flickering lights throughout the home
- Lights becoming brighter and dimmer
- Low or unstable voltage
- A brownout
- Shocks or tingles
- A damaged or wet switchboard
- Buzzing, arcing or a burning smell
- Damage to overhead service lines
Do not touch taps, metal fixtures or appliances to “test” whether a tingling sensation is still present.
Where appliances can be reached safely without touching metal equipment or entering a hazardous area, switch them off and unplug them. Then contact Energex immediately.
Should You Call Power Bolt or Energex?
Contact Power Bolt Electrical when:
- The outage appears isolated to one circuit
- A safety switch or circuit breaker keeps tripping
- The problem occurs when a particular appliance is used
- A power point, light or fixed appliance has stopped working
- The fault appeared after rain
- You notice a damaged, warm, buzzing or discoloured fitting
- You need the home’s circuits and switchboard tested
- You cannot identify why part of the property has lost power
Contact Energex when:
- There is a known or suspected network outage
- The home has partial or inconsistent supply
- Lights throughout the home are dull, flickering or surging
- Several unrelated circuits have failed without a clearly tripped device
- There is damage to the overhead service line
- Neighbours are experiencing the same supply problem
For electricity outages and supply problems, Energex can be contacted on 13 62 62.
For life-threatening electrical emergencies, shocks, tingles or dangerous inconsistent-power symptoms, call 000 or Energex on 13 19 62.
Useful Information to Give the Electrician
You can help with fault-finding by noting:
- What was operating immediately before the power was lost
- Which rooms, lights, outlets and appliances are affected
- Whether the remaining lights are stable
- Whether a protective device appears to have tripped
- Whether the outage occurred during or after rain
- Whether the problem has happened before
- Whether neighbouring properties are affected
- Whether the home has solar, batteries or multi-phase power
- Any buzzing, heat, smell, discolouration, sparks or unusual sounds
Do not recreate the fault by repeatedly operating an appliance or resetting the switchboard simply to demonstrate it.
Do Not Assume the Problem Is Safe Because Some Power Remains
A complete blackout is obvious. A partial outage can be more confusing because the home still appears to have electricity.
The problem may be a straightforward isolated circuit fault, but it can also involve a failed connection, unstable supply or another issue affecting several parts of the electrical system.
The key distinction is whether the remaining supply is stable.
If one circuit has stopped working, a licensed electrician can test the circuit, connected appliances and switchboard protection to find the cause.
If the home has partial power combined with flickering, brightening, low voltage, shocks or tingles, do not touch the switchboard. Treat it as a potential supply emergency and contact Energex.
Power Bolt Electrical provides residential electrical fault-finding throughout Narangba, North Lakes, Burpengary, Moreton Bay and surrounding North Brisbane suburbs.
If only part of your home has power and you are unsure why, contact Power Bolt Electrical to arrange an inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does only half of my house have power?
Your home is divided into electrical circuits, and each circuit supplies a particular group of lights, power points or fixed appliances. A circuit breaker, safety switch, faulty appliance, damaged connection or supply fault can disconnect some circuits while others continue working.
Why are my lights working but the power points are not?
Lights and power points are usually supplied by separate circuits. If the power circuit trips or develops a fault, the lights may continue operating normally. A licensed electrician can test the affected circuit and determine whether the cause is an appliance, wiring fault or protective device.
Can one safety switch turn off several rooms?
Yes. Depending on the switchboard design, one safety switch may protect several electrical circuits. If it detects current leakage, multiple rooms or groups of equipment may lose power at the same time.
Should I reset a circuit breaker when only part of the house has power?
Only consider one reset when the outage is clearly isolated to a circuit and there are no flickering lights, burning smells, buzzing, water, damage, shocks or tingles. Switch off connected appliances first. If the device trips again, stop and contact an electrician.
Why did part of my house lose power after rain?
Rain can expose water ingress in outdoor power points, security lights, garden lighting, pool equipment, pumps or shed wiring. An outdoor fault may trip a safety switch that also protects circuits inside the home.
Can a faulty appliance cause power loss in several rooms?
Yes. If a faulty appliance causes a shared safety switch or circuit breaker to operate, every circuit or outlet protected by that device may lose power. Electrical testing is needed to confirm which appliance or circuit caused the fault.
Why are only some circuits working during a blackout?
A home battery backup system may be configured to power only selected essential circuits. In a multi-phase property, loss of one phase may also disconnect some circuits while others remain operational. If the behaviour is unexpected, contact an electrician or Energex.
When should I call Energex about partial power?
Contact Energex when the partial outage appears to involve the incoming supply, affects several unrelated circuits or is accompanied by dull, flickering or surging lights. For electricity supply problems call 13 62 62. For shocks, tingles or dangerous inconsistent-power symptoms, call 000 or Energex on 13 19 62.