POWER OFF? ⚡BUT FUSE BOX IS "ON"?

Electricity Off But Fuse Box Not Tripped? Here’s What Is Happening.

It is the classic "panic moment" for any homeowner. The lights go out, the TV dies, and the house plunges into silence. You grab a torch, head to the consumer unit (fuse box), expecting to flip a tripped switch back up... but everything looks normal.

Every breaker is in the "ON" position. The RCD hasn't tripped. Yet, you have zero power.

If you are living in North London (from Finchley to Highgate) and facing this specific electrical mystery, do not force the switches. This situation often indicates a different kind of fault—one that might be outside your home or requires professional intervention.

Here is the RE Electrical Services guide to troubleshooting a power loss when your fuse box hasn't tripped.

1. The "Hidden" Outage: Is It the Grid?

Before you start worrying about your internal wiring, look outside. The most common reason for total power loss without a tripped breaker is a local grid fault.

• Check the Streetlights: If it’s dark out, are the streetlamps off too?
• Check the Neighbours: Are the houses on your left and right dark?

If the whole street is out, the issue lies with UK Power Networks (the operator for London), not your home.

The Fix:

• Visit the UK Power Networks Power Cut Map on your mobile data.
• Call 105 (free from mobiles) to report the outage.
• Wait it out: Do not touch your fuse board. The power will surge back when they fix the transformer.

2. The Silent Failure: A Faulty Main Switch

This is a common issue in older North London properties, particularly those with consumer units that haven't been upgraded in 15+ years.

Your "Main Switch" (the large red or black switch that controls the whole board) is a mechanical device. Like any mechanical part, it can wear out. Internally, the contacts can carbonize or snap. The Symptom: The switch physically looks like it is in the "ON" (up) position, but the internal connection has severed. No electricity is passing through to your individual breakers.

Warning: If you hear a faint "buzzing" or "crackling" sound coming from the fuse board, this is arcing. Turn the main switch OFF immediately and call us. This is a fire risk.

3. The "Head" Fuse (Service Cut-Out)

Your electricity meter is connected to a heavy-duty fuse before it even reaches your consumer unit. This is known as the main service fuse or "The Head."

If this 60A, 80A, or 100A fuse blows, your entire house loses power, but your consumer unit breakers will remain perfectly still because the power was cut before it reached them.

Why does this happen?

• Overloading: Did you turn on the electric shower, the oven, and the tumble dryer at the same time?
• Age: Old fuse wire degrades over time.

The Fix: You cannot fix this yourself. It is illegal and dangerous to tamper with the service head (the sealed box usually found near your meter). You must contact your electricity supplier or an emergency electrician to confirm the diagnosis safely.

4. Smart Meter or Pre-Payment Monitor Failure

If you are on a pre-payment meter or a smart meter, the "computer" inside can sometimes crash or disconnect the supply remotely.

• Check the Display: Is the screen on the meter blank?
• Check for Error Codes: Is it showing "Call Help" or a battery symbol?

If the meter itself has failed, it acts like an open switch, cutting power to your fuse box regardless of your wiring's condition.

What Should I Do Now? (The Safe Reset)

If you have confirmed it is not a massive local power cut, try this single "Safe Reset" sequence once.

1. Unplug sensitive electronics: TVs, computers, and microwaves.
2. Go to your Fuse Box: Manually switch the Main Switch to the OFF (down) position.
3. Wait 5 Seconds: Count to five.
4. Switch ON: Firmly push the Main Switch back to the ON (up) position.

Did the power come back?

• YES: Great! It may have been a loose contact that temporarily reseated. However, you should still book a standard inspection to ensure the switch isn't degrading.
• NO: Do not toggle it up and down repeatedly. This can melt the plastic housing and cause a fire.

Need an Emergency Electrician in North London?

If you have tried the steps above and are still in the dark, you need a qualified electrician to test the incoming voltage and the condition of your tails (main cables).

RE Electrical Services is your local expert for Finchley, Barnet, Hampstead, and surrounding areas.

• ✅ NICEIC Approved Contractor: We are fully insured and qualified to work on mains electricity.
• ✅ 24/7 Emergency Response: We don't care if it's 2 AM on a Tuesday.
• ✅ Fast Diagnosis: We carry the testing gear to tell you instantly if the fault is yours or the supplier's.

Don't risk your safety for the sake of a DIY fix.

📞 Call our Emergency Line: [0800 774 7951]

📅 [Book a Priority Call-Out Online]