Emergency Electrician in Sacramento

What counts as an electrical emergency?

Call 911 right away for any of these:

Smoke or fire coming from an outlet, panel, appliance, or wall
A downed or sparking power line
Someone who has been shocked and is hurt or unresponsive
Water touching a panel, outlets, or cords while the power is on

What problems need an electrician fast?

These aren't 911 calls if there's no smoke or fire, but don't wait on them:

A burning plastic smell near an outlet, switch, or panel
An outlet or switch plate that's hot to the touch
Sparks when you plug something in
A breaker that trips the instant you reset it
A tingle or shock from an appliance or faucet
Half the house goes dark or lights turn unusually bright or dim (call your utility first, since the problem may be on its side)

What should I do while I wait?

Keep it simple and stay safe:

If the area is dry and safe, switch off the affected breaker. If you can't tell which one, switch off the main breaker.
Unplug devices only if the plug and outlet aren't hot, wet, or sparking.
Never touch a person who is still in contact with a live wire; call 911.
Open only the panel door. EC&M notes the wires from the utility stay energized even with the main breaker off, so leave the inner cover on.
Keep everyone away from water near electrical equipment.

Who do I call: 911, the utility, or an electrician?

The utility handles the lines up to your meter. An electrician handles the panel and everything inside your home. The table below shows who to call first.

What if my power goes out?

Check whether your neighbors are dark too. If they are, it's probably a utility outage, so report it to SMUD at 1-888-456-7683, PG&E at 1-800-743-5002, or Roseville Electric at (916) 797-6937, and wait. If only your home is out, check the main breaker and look for a tripped breaker or GFCI.

In the foothills, PG&E may turn off power on purpose during a Public Safety Power Shutoff when low humidity, high winds, and dry vegetation raise wildfire risk. PG&E sends alerts by phone, text, and email when it can.

What about electrical equipment that got wet?

Don't turn it back on yourself. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) warns that water-damaged electrical equipment can be extremely dangerous if it's turned back on without proper reconditioning or replacement, because moisture and debris can damage breakers, fuses, and insulation. Have a qualified electrician inspect panels, outlets, and wiring that got wet before power is restored.

How much does an emergency electrician cost?

Expect to pay more after hours. This Old House says an urgent night or weekend service call adds at least $100 to $200 to the standard fee (national, 2026). Each independent electrician sets their own rates, so ask about the trip charge and hourly rate on the phone before they head out.

Who to call first in an electrical emergency
Situation	Call first	Then
Smoke or fire	911	An electrician after the fire department clears the scene
Downed or sparking power line	911	SMUD 1-888-456-7683 or PG&E 1-800-743-5000
Smell of natural gas	Leave, then call 911	PG&E 1-800-743-5000
Whole street is dark	Your utility's outage line	Wait for restoration
Only your home or part of it is out	Check the main breaker	An electrician if it won't reset
Hot outlet or burning smell	Switch off that circuit	An electrician

Need an electrician in the Sacramento area?

One call connects you with an independent local electrician. Calling is free; you agree on the price and the work directly with the provider.

Call (916) 712-7030

Frequently asked questions

Is a burning smell from an outlet an emergency?

Treat it as urgent. If you see smoke or flames, get out and call 911. If there's only a smell, switch off that circuit's breaker if you can do it safely, stop using the outlet, and call an electrician. The CPSC lists a burning plastic smell at outlets or switches as a sign of an electrical problem that a qualified electrician should find.

Should I turn off the main breaker in an electrical emergency?

If you can reach the panel safely and you're standing somewhere dry, yes, switching off the main breaker cuts power to the home's circuits. Don't do it if the panel is smoking, wet, or hot, and never remove the panel's inner cover. The utility's incoming wires stay energized even with the main off, so leave panel work to an electrician.

Why are my lights flickering?

It can be a loose bulb, a large appliance starting up, a utility problem, or a loose connection in your wiring. The CPSC lists flickering lights as a warning sign of failing connections, especially in homes with aluminum wiring. If flickering happens across the house or comes with warm outlets or a burning smell, call an electrician soon.

Available across the Sacramento area

Sources

Panelboard Safety Matters — EC&M
Equipment and power lines safety — SMUD
Electric Safety (downed powerlines, outage line) — PG&E
Power outages — City of Roseville, Roseville Electric Utility
Gas Safety — PG&E
Public Safety Power Shutoffs — PG&E
Guidelines for Handling Water-Damaged Electrical Equipment — National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
How Much Does an Electrician Cost? (updated June 5, 2026) — This Old House
Repairing Aluminum Wiring (Publication 516) — U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
How to Reset a Tripped Circuit Breaker — Family Handyman