What is this?
Intermittent power loss is when your electricity repeatedly cuts out and either comes back on its own or needs manual resetting. This is frustrating and often indicates a developing fault that is getting worse over time.
Common causes
- Loose connection in the consumer unit or at a socket
- Intermittent fault on an appliance causing repeated tripping
- Deteriorating cable insulation creating sporadic earth faults
- Overloaded circuit that trips under heavy use
- Faulty RCD that is oversensitive or failing
Is it dangerous?
Intermittent faults can be more dangerous than permanent ones because they are harder to predict. A loose connection can cause arcing and overheating, which is a fire risk. Do not ignore power that keeps cutting out — it is likely to get worse.
Can I fix it myself?
Keep a log of when the power cuts out and what you were using at the time. This helps an electrician diagnose the fault. Check if the same MCB or RCD trips each time. Do not keep resetting it repeatedly without investigation.
When to call an electrician
Call an electrician as soon as possible. Intermittent faults are harder to diagnose and the sooner a professional investigates, the lower the risk. If you notice any burning smell, warmth from sockets, or the frequency is increasing, treat it as urgent.
What will an electrician do?
Review your log of when outages occur to identify patterns
Inspect the consumer unit for loose connections or signs of overheating
Test circuits with insulation resistance and RCD function tests
Check suspect appliances with portable appliance testing
Repair loose connections and replace any damaged components
Typical cost
£100 – £300
Intermittent fault-finding can take longer than straightforward repairs. An electrician may need to spend extra time testing to reproduce the fault.
