When to Call a 24/7 Emergency Electrician (and When It Can Wait)
Some electrical problems can wait until business hours. Others are telling you a fire or shock is moments away. Knowing the difference keeps your family safe an
Some electrical problems can wait until business hours. Others are telling you a fire or shock is moments away. Knowing the difference keeps your family safe and saves you from both needless after-hours calls and dangerous delays. Here's a clear guide to what counts as an electrical emergency.
Call immediately — these are emergencies
- A burning, fishy, or hot-plastic smell from an outlet, switch, or the panel
- Sparks, arcing, popping, or buzzing at an outlet or the breaker box
- Scorch marks, melting, or hot cover plates
- Smoke from any electrical device, outlet, or panel
- Total power loss when your neighbors still have power
- Partial power loss — half the house dark, especially after a loud snap or storm
- A panel that is hot, buzzing, or has visible water or scorching
- Exposed, damaged, or arcing wiring — after water intrusion, rodents, or an accident
- A breaker that won't stay reset and the circuit feels hot
If you see smoke or fire, or smell something burning and can't immediately find a harmless cause, get everyone out and call 911 first. Then call us. Never touch a downed power line, and never open a panel with visible water or scorching.
Usually safe to schedule — not emergencies
| Situation | Why it can usually wait |
|---|---|
| A single dead outlet, nothing hot or smelling | Often a failed receptacle or tripped GFCI — inconvenient, not dangerous |
| One light fixture out | Usually a bulb, fixture, or switch issue |
| A breaker that trips occasionally under heavy load | Points to an overload to diagnose, not an immediate hazard |
| Wanting to add outlets, lighting, or a charger | Planned work — schedule it |
When in doubt, call and describe what you're seeing. We'll tell you honestly whether it's a "right now" or a "let's schedule it."
Why partial power loss is more serious than it seems
Losing power to half the house while the other half works often means you've lost one "leg" of your incoming power — typically a failed main connection, a loose neutral, or a problem at the panel or meter. That condition can deliver uneven voltage that damages appliances and can overheat. It's a same-day call, even though some lights still work.
What to do while you wait
If you can safely identify the breaker for a sparking or smelling outlet, switch it off. Unplug nearby devices. Don't use the affected circuit. Keep everyone away from any panel showing water or scorching. Then call our 24/7 emergency electrician line at (843) 595-9236. For the underlying issues, see our guides on tripping breakers and flickering lights.
Related guides
Need an electrician now?
Sparking outlets, a burning smell, a dead panel or no power? Call Palmetto Electric for fast, licensed help in Florence and across the Pee Dee — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call (843) 595-9236 Open 24 hours · Licensed & insuredFrequently asked questions
What qualifies as an electrical emergency?
Burning smells, smoke, sparks, scorched outlets, a hot or buzzing panel, total or partial power loss, and exposed live wiring all qualify. When unsure, call and describe it — we'll tell you honestly.
Is losing half my power an emergency?
Usually yes — it often means a lost leg of power from a failed connection or loose neutral, which can damage appliances and overheat. Call the same day, even if some lights work.
Should I call 911 or an electrician?
If there's smoke or flame, call 911 first and get out, then call us. For sparking, burning smells, or power loss without active fire, call our 24/7 electrician line at (843) 595-9236.
Do you really answer overnight and on holidays?
Yes — our emergency line is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays, for Florence and the surrounding Pee Dee.