Stay clear of downed or sagging service wires. Utility lines can be energized even during an outage. Keep people and pets away and call your utility.
What usually causes this?
Utility-side problems
Storm damage, overloaded transformers or failing utility connections cause outages that affect nearby homes too. Your utility handles these.
Main breaker tripping
If your total load exceeds your service — common when the AC, dryer, water heater and oven run together — the main breaker can trip.
Loose service connections
Loose or corroded connections at the meter base, service entrance or main lugs can cause intermittent outages, flickering and heat.
Failing main breaker
A worn main breaker can trip below its rating or fail to hold.
Damaged service drop or mast
Tree limbs and storms can damage the wires or mast that bring power into your home.
What you can safely check
These details help an electrician find the cause faster. Look and listen only — do not remove covers or touch wiring.
- Whether neighbors are affected
- Whether the main breaker is tripped
- Time of day and what was running before the outage
- Flickering or dimming before power drops
- Damage to the service mast or wires outside (look from a distance)
Warning signs that need a professional
- Burning smell or buzzing at the meter or panel
- Flickering before and after outages
- Main breaker that feels hot
- Scorching at the meter base
- Outages during high heat or heavy use
When should you call an electrician?
If outages are limited to your home and repeat, call an electrician to inspect the panel, main breaker and service connections. If the issue is at the meter or service drop, the electrician will coordinate with your utility.
If your home regularly trips the main breaker under normal use, a load calculation may show that a service upgrade is needed.
Services that fix this problem
Electrical Troubleshooting
Systematic testing to find the cause of intermittent power loss, tripping, flickering and other electrical faults that aren't obvious.
Electrical Panel Services
Repairs, inspections and maintenance for breaker panels — loose connections, damaged breakers, labeling and capacity checks.
Electrical Meter Services
Repairs to the homeowner-owned meter base, service mast and connections, coordinated with your utility.
Whole Home Generator
Permanently installed standby generators sized to power your entire home automatically during outages.
Related electrical problems
Frequently asked questions
If neighbors are also dark, it's likely the utility. If only your home is affected, check your main breaker and call an electrician if it keeps happening.
Problems at the meter base — which is usually the homeowner's responsibility — can cause outages and flickering. The meter itself belongs to the utility.
A generator helps with utility outages, but it won't fix a wiring problem inside your home. Diagnose the cause first.