Do you have an electrical fault?

Arnaud Aubert Service is here to help you! 

Power cuts often happen at the most inconvenient times, usually in the evening, when you're comfortably watching your favourite programme. Suddenly everything goes out!

To prepare for these situations, it's crucial to have a few essentials to hand: a lighter or torch, accessible candles, spare fuses and, above all, a label with your contract number and that of your electricity supplier stuck to your electrical panel. Why should you do this? Because this panel is the first place you'll need to go with your light source unplugged.

How do you identify a general or local power cut?

To find out whether the fault is general or local, check the position of the circuit breaker on your electrical panel:

• If the circuit breaker is in the "off" position This is a local fault. Simply reset the circuit breaker to solve the problem.
• If the circuit breaker is in the "on" position You are experiencing a general power cut, which may be caused by bad weather, a wider technical problem or an oversight in paying your bill. Check whether your neighbours still have electricity to confirm this. Having your energy supplier's contact details to hand will be useful for obtaining information about the fault or resolving the situation.

Local failures are often due to overload or short-circuit.

Outage due to overload

In winter, an overload can occur if you use several electrical appliances such as radiators. Unplug the suspected appliances and reset the circuit breaker. If you have a panel with fuses, replace the blown fuse (hence the importance of knowing where they are stored) after disconnecting the appliances. If the faults recur, consider increasing the power rating of your meter with your supplier.

Outage due to a short-circuit

To determine whether a fault is caused by a short circuit, follow these steps:

1. Lower all the circuit breakers on your electrical panel and reset the meter.
2. Reassemble the circuit-breakers one by one to locate the affected part.
3. Test the sockets and appliances by plugging them into other sockets. If the problem persists, the plug is probably faulty.

Checking after a move

If you have recently moved house, your energy supplier may not yet have transferred your subscription. Check with them using the numbers given above.

Watch out for safety!

Although resetting a meter or replacing a fuse is relatively simple, it is no substitute for professional advice. A short circuit can be the start of a fire, and electricity should never be combined with water. Make sure you have the contact details of a qualified electrician. Arnaud Aubert Service is your electrical expert: contact us on 09 72 10 52 44 for assistance.

Additional advice:

Fill in the labels on your electrical panel to save time and make it easier to call in an electrician, because time is money.

In the event of a power cut, avoid opening your fridge or freezer. These appliances can keep their contents at a safe temperature for 4 to 6 hours for the fridge and 24 to 48 hours for the freezer (depending on capacity).

For fast, professional assistance in the event of a power cut in ,don't hesitate to contact Arnaud Aubert Service at 09 72 10 52 44. We're here for you!