Written by H. Irwin Electrical | Published on June 2025
Power outages in South Australia can last anywhere from a few minutes to over 12 hours depending on the cause and how widespread the fault is. Knowing what to do in those first few minutes can protect your appliances, keep your family safe, and speed up the recovery process.
This guide covers everything from immediate safety steps to checking your switchboard, protecting your food, and knowing when to call a licensed electrician. Whether you’re in Glenelg, Marion, Unley, or anywhere across Adelaide’s western and southern suburbs, the steps are the same.
Understand Why the Power Has Gone Out
Before you do anything else, work out whether the outage is just your property or if it affects the wider street or suburb. This tells you who is responsible for fixing it and what your next step should be.
There are three common causes of a power outage in South Australia:
- Network fault: A problem with SA Power Networks’ infrastructure, such as a downed line, transformer fault, or storm damage. This affects multiple properties at once.
- Internal fault: A tripped circuit breaker, blown fuse, or faulty appliance inside your own home. Only your property is affected.
- Planned outage: SA Power Networks schedules maintenance outages and notifies affected customers in advance by letter or SMS.
Check your neighbours’ homes. If their lights are also out, it’s likely a network issue. If they have power and you don’t, the problem is inside your property.
You can check live outage information at the SA Power Networks website or call their faults line on 13 13 66. They also provide estimated restoration times for known faults.
Check Your Switchboard First
If the outage is limited to your home, head to your switchboard. In most Adelaide homes, the switchboard is located in the garage, laundry, or on an external wall near the meter box.
Here is what to look for and what to do:
- Open the switchboard cover carefully. Do not touch any wiring or components directly.
- Look for any circuit breakers that have flipped to the OFF position or are sitting in the middle between ON and OFF.
- Reset the tripped breaker by pushing it firmly to OFF and then back to ON.
- If it trips again immediately, there is a fault on that circuit. Leave it off and call a licensed electrician.
- If your home has older-style fuses rather than circuit breakers, do not attempt to replace them yourself unless you are qualified.
Homes in suburbs like Plympton, Kurralta Park, and Glandore often have older switchboards that may not have safety switches (RCDs) installed. If your board looks dated or has ceramic fuses rather than modern breakers, it may be time for an upgrade.
H. Irwin Electrical regularly services switchboards across Adelaide’s western suburbs and can advise you on whether your board meets current safety standards.
Immediate Safety Steps During a Blackout
Once you have checked the switchboard and confirmed the outage is ongoing, your next priority is safety. A power outage, especially at night, creates real hazards in the home.
- Use torches, not candles. Open flames are a fire risk, particularly if children are present. Keep a quality torch in an easy-to-find location.
- Turn off or unplug major appliances. When power is restored, a surge can damage electronics. This includes televisions, computers, washing machines, and air conditioning units.
- Leave one light switch ON so you know when power has been restored.
- Do not use generators indoors. Carbon monoxide from petrol generators kills. Always run generators outside and away from windows and doors.
- Keep the fridge and freezer closed. A full freezer will hold its temperature for up to 48 hours if kept closed. A fridge will stay cold for about 4 hours.
- Check on elderly neighbours. Older residents in suburbs like Hyde Park, North Adelaide, and Unley may rely on medical equipment or need help staying cool in summer.
South Australia’s summers are extreme. If the outage occurs during a heatwave, having a plan to stay cool is critical. Identify a nearby shopping centre, library, or community centre that has air conditioning.
Compare What Different Outage Types Mean for You
Not all outages are handled the same way. The table below breaks down the three main outage types, who is responsible, and what action you should take.
| Outage Type | Who Is Affected | Who to Contact | Your Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Network fault (storm, equipment failure) | Multiple properties or suburb | SA Power Networks: 13 13 66 | Report the fault and wait for restoration |
| Internal fault (tripped breaker, faulty appliance) | Your property only | Licensed electrician | Reset breaker or call an electrician if it won’t reset |
| Planned maintenance outage | Specific streets or zones | SA Power Networks for updates | Prepare in advance, use battery-powered devices |
| Metering or connection issue | Your property only | Your energy retailer + licensed electrician | Contact your retailer first, then an electrician if needed |
Understanding which category you are in saves time and prevents unnecessary call-out fees. If SA Power Networks confirms the fault is on their network, you do not need an electrician. If the fault is inside your property, that is where a licensed electrician comes in.
Protect Your Food During an Extended Outage
Food safety is one of the most practical concerns during a longer outage. South Australian summers make this especially urgent.
| Appliance | Safe Hold Time (Door Closed) | Action If Outage Exceeds This |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 4 hours | Discard perishables (meat, dairy, leftovers) |
| Full freezer | 48 hours | Check for ice crystals before refreezing |
| Half-full freezer | 24 hours | Cook or consume before refreezing if in doubt |
| Fridge with ice packs added | Up to 8 hours | Great backup for short to medium outages |
The golden rule with food safety is: when in doubt, throw it out. The cost of replacing food is far less than the cost of food poisoning.
If you have medication that requires refrigeration, contact SA Health or your pharmacist immediately for guidance on safe storage during a prolonged outage.
Know When to Call a Licensed Electrician in Adelaide
Some situations during or after a power outage require a licensed electrician. Attempting to fix electrical faults yourself is illegal in South Australia and can be fatal.
Call a licensed electrician if any of the following apply:
- Your circuit breaker keeps tripping after being reset
- You notice burning smells, scorch marks, or discolouration around power points or the switchboard
- Power has been restored to the street but not to your property
- Your safety switch (RCD) has tripped and will not stay reset
- You hear buzzing, crackling, or popping sounds from the switchboard
- Appliances or lights are flickering even after power is restored
- Water has entered your switchboard or meter box during a storm or flood
Properties near the coast in suburbs like Glenelg, Henley Beach, and West Beach are more exposed to salt air corrosion and storm surge. These conditions can accelerate wear on electrical infrastructure and make post-storm inspections especially important.
H. Irwin Electrical is based in Novar Gardens and services the full range of western and southern Adelaide suburbs. If you are unsure about the safety of your electrical system after an outage, a quick call to 0432 270 757 can give you peace of mind.
Prepare Your Adelaide Home for Future Outages
The best time to prepare for a blackout is before one happens. A few simple steps can make a big difference when the power goes out unexpectedly.
- Install safety switches: All circuits in your home should have RCD protection. If yours don’t, ask H. Irwin Electrical to install them.
- Keep an emergency kit: Include torches, spare batteries, a portable phone charger, a battery-powered radio, and basic first aid supplies.
- Know your switchboard location: Make sure every adult in your household knows where the switchboard is and how to safely check it.
- Consider a backup power solution: For households that rely on medical devices or home offices, a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) or whole-home backup battery can provide short-term power during outages.
- Get your switchboard inspected: Older boards in homes across Beverley, Richmond, Prospect, and Fulham may not be up to current Australian Standards. An inspection costs far less than an emergency repair.
South Australia’s energy grid has improved significantly in recent years, but storm events, extreme heat, and ageing infrastructure still cause outages every season. Being prepared is the smartest and cheapest form of protection.
FAQs on Power Outages in South Australia
Who do I call if my power is out but my neighbours still have power?
If your neighbours have power and yours is out, the fault is almost certainly inside your property. Check your switchboard for a tripped circuit breaker first. If resetting it does not restore power, call a licensed electrician rather than SA Power Networks, as the fault is on your side of the meter.
How long can a power outage last in South Australia?
Most outages caused by localised faults are resolved within a few hours. Major storm events or widespread network failures can cause outages lasting 12 to 24 hours or longer in some cases. SA Power Networks provides live updates and estimated restoration times on their website and app.
Is it safe to reset my own circuit breaker?
Yes, resetting a tripped circuit breaker is safe and straightforward for most homeowners. Push the breaker firmly to OFF first, then back to ON. If it trips again immediately, that circuit has a fault and you should leave it off and call a licensed electrician. Do not keep attempting to reset a breaker that won’t stay on.
Can a power surge damage my appliances when power comes back on?
Yes, power surges during restoration can damage electronics, appliances, and air conditioning units. Before power is restored, unplug sensitive devices or switch them off at the wall. Whole-home surge protection devices can be installed on your switchboard to protect against this automatically.
Does my landlord have to fix a power outage in my rental property?
If the outage is caused by a fault inside the property, such as a faulty switchboard or wiring, the landlord is responsible for arranging and paying for repairs under South Australian tenancy law. Report the fault in writing to your property manager and request urgent attention if the fault poses a safety risk.
How do I know if my switchboard needs to be upgraded?
Signs that your switchboard may need upgrading include ceramic fuses instead of circuit breakers, no safety switches installed, frequent tripping, a burning smell around the board, or a board that is more than 25 years old. A licensed electrician can inspect and advise you on whether an upgrade is needed.
Wrap Up and Next Steps
A power outage is stressful, but following a clear plan makes it manageable. Check whether the fault is on the network or inside your property, protect your appliances and food, stay safe, and know when to bring in a professional.
If you are dealing with a fault inside your home, or if you want to make your property more resilient before the next outage, H. Irwin Electrical is here to help. We service Glenelg, Novar Gardens, Somerton Park, Marion, Plympton, Unley, Hyde Park, North Adelaide, Henley Beach, West Beach, and all surrounding suburbs.
Call H. Irwin Electrical on 0432 270 757 to book an inspection, get your switchboard checked, or have a licensed electrician attend your property as soon as possible.
