Call Now for 24/7 Emergency Repairs(984) 271-2113
Emergency electrician repairing wiring inside an electrical panel

Durham's 24/7 Emergency Electrician When the Lights Go Out

Sparks, a burning smell, or power out in part of your home? Call Brian Electric LLC any time, day or night. We tell you what to do right away to stay safe, and we are usually at your door in 40 to 50 minutes.

  • Open 24/7, nights and weekends
  • Usually there in 40 to 50 minutes
  • Licensed in North Carolina
Call Now · (984) 271-2113

Know the Signs

What Is an Electrical Emergency?

An electrical emergency is any problem that could start a fire or shock someone right now. It cannot wait for a regular appointment.

Most begin with something small, like a loose wire, a worn part or too much load on one circuit. The heat stays hidden inside the wall until it shows up as one of the signs below. If you see one, stop using that circuit and call us. Nights and weekends cost the same as any other time.

Electrician wearing protective gloves working on wiring inside an electrical panel
Electrical emergency signs and what to do
Warning SignWhat to Do Right Now
Sparks from an outlet, switch or panelStop using it. Turn off that breaker if you can do it safely, then call us.
A burning or hot plastic smellTurn off the breaker for that area and call us.
Smoke from an outlet, switch or panelGet everyone out of the house and call 911.
An outlet or switch that is hot to the touchDo not touch the hot spot. Turn off that breaker and call us.
A shock from an appliance, outlet or switchStop using it. If someone is hurt, call 911 first.
Buzzing or crackling from the panelKeep everyone away from the panel and call us.
Water on outlets, wiring or the panelDo not touch anything wet. Turn off the main breaker only from a dry spot.
Part or all of the house lost powerAsk a neighbor. If they have power, call us. If not, call Duke Energy.

Safety First

Electrical Emergency? Do This First

The first few minutes matter most. These steps keep your family safe until an electrician gets there.

If you see smoke or fire, get everyone out and call 911 first.

Please Do Not

  • Take the cover off the panel or touch the wires inside
  • Touch an outlet or switch that is hot, sparking or scorched
  • Keep resetting a breaker that trips again right away
  • Run extension cords around a circuit that went dead
  1. Stay back

    Keep people and pets away from sparks, smoke, hot outlets and any water near wiring or outlets.

  2. Turn off the power

    If you can reach the panel safely and your hands are dry, switch off the main breaker or the circuit with the problem.

  3. Smoke or fire? Call 911

    If you see smoke or flames, leave the house and call 911 first. We come after the fire department.

  4. Downed power lines

    Stay at least 30 feet away and call Duke Energy. Lines outside your home belong to the power company.

  5. Call us

    Call (984) 271-2113. We answer 24/7, tell you what to do next, and are usually there in 40 to 50 minutes.

Not Sure?

Call Now or Can It Wait?

Some problems are dangerous right now. Others can wait for a regular visit. Here is how to tell the difference.

Urgent electrical problems

Call Us Now

  • Sparks, smoke or a burning smell
  • An outlet, switch or panel that feels hot
  • Someone got a shock from an appliance or switch
  • Water near outlets, wiring or the panel
  • Part of the house lost power but the neighbors have it
  • A breaker that trips again right after you reset it

Plan a regular visit

Can Usually Wait

  • One outlet stopped working, with no heat or smell
  • A single bulb flickers while the rest of the lights are fine
  • A GFCI outlet tripped and resets without trouble
  • You want new lights, outlets or an upgrade

Still not sure? Let's talk.

Call anyway. We will tell you honestly if it can wait.

24/7 emergency callsCall (984) 271-2113

What We Fix

Emergency Electrical Service in Durham, NC

We handle the problems that make a home or business unsafe. We fix the cause, not only the symptom, and you get the price before we start.

  • Breakers and Panels

    Your panel feeds every circuit in the house. When a part inside it fails, we find it and repair or replace it.

    • Breakers that trip again right after a reset
    • Breakers that will not reset at all
    • Scorched, melted or worn out breakers
    • A panel that buzzes or feels warm
    • Old fuse boxes that keep blowing fuses
  • Outlets, Switches and Wiring

    Most sparks and burning smells come from a loose or damaged connection. We follow it back to the source.

    • Outlets that spark, feel hot or show scorch marks
    • Switches that buzz or feel warm
    • Dead outlets and GFCIs that will not reset
    • Damaged, chewed or exposed wires
    • Loose connections behind outlets and switches
  • Power Loss and Surge Damage

    When part of your home goes dark or a surge hits, we find what failed and get the power back on safely.

    • Rooms or circuits with no power
    • Circuits and devices hit by a power surge
    • Outlets and wiring touched by water
    • Outdoor outlets and lights that stopped working
    • Lights that dim or flicker across the house

How It Works

How Our Emergency Service Works

From your first call to the final test, here is what to expect.

  1. Step 01

    Call Us Any Time

    Call (984) 271-2113, day or night. Tell us what you see, hear or smell, and we tell you how to stay safe until we arrive.

  2. Step 02

    Danger Shut Down

    When we get there, we cut power to the problem area and check that nothing is still heating up.

  3. Step 03

    Cause and Price

    We trace the problem to its source, then tell you what it needs and what it costs before any repair starts.

  4. Step 04

    Fixed and Tested

    We fix the cause, test the circuit and explain what happened, so the same problem does not come back.

Why Brian Electric

A 24 Hour Electrician You Can Trust

Electrical problems do not wait for business hours, so neither do we. You get a licensed electrician who answers day or night and treats your home with care.

  • Open 24/7

    Nights and weekends cost the same as a weekday call.

  • There in 40 to 50 minutes

    Based in Durham, so we are usually close by.

  • Licensed, Bonded and Insured

    Licensed in North Carolina, with more than 15 years on the job.

  • Price Before Work

    You hear the cost first. No repair starts without your okay.

Emergency electrician in a hard hat and headlamp working on an electrical panel

Customer Reviews

What Customers Say About Our Work

5.0

Read Our Google Reviews
  • Forrest B.Google review

    My wife and I can't say enough about Brian Electric. This was our third time hiring Brian to help with renovations. His work is exceptional and we are very impressed with his knowledge/quality of his work. We will definitely hire him again in the future!!

  • Bridget D.Google review

    Brian was amazing. He was able to come the same day I called. He was able to quickly diagnose and fix the problem. He was very informative and answered all of my questions. I will definitely recommend and will be using his services again.

  • Robert P.Google review

    Brian installed a Kitchen Light fixture over my Kitchen Island. He arrived on time, was very professional and had the experience and know-how to install what I would consider a difficult installation in a short amount of time.

  • Jackie V.Google review

    If I could give 10 stars I would. He was so helpful with my major project, and really looked out for my best interests. He even took on a spontaneous smaller project that popped up as he was finishing the larger one!

  • Robin L.Google review

    He came and installed a new light above our kitchen sink. Excellent work, prompt service and a truly good guy. What more could you ask for? We will definately call Brian for any work we may need in the future. I would highly recommend him to anyone in need of quality electrical work!

  • Barbara M.Google review

    Brian traced down our light and receptical outage. He made the repair in under an hour and had our home in working order again.

  • De K.Google review

    I cannot say enough good things about Brian Electric. He's corrected other marginal work and has completed all sorts of jobs in the past with excellent craftsmanship. I only wish there was more of Brian to go around!

  • Martin M.Google review

    Brian Electric has provided us with quality, on-time service for all of our electrical needs in the house we moved into a year ago.

  • Robby C.Google review

    Super professional! Great quality work with attention to detail. Highly recommend. This is my new go to electrical contractor!

  • Brandon S.Google review

    On time, professional and excellent quality work. Brian Electric is one of the best electricians we've worked with.

Service Area

Emergency Electrician Near You

We are based in Durham and take emergency calls from homes and businesses across the Triangle. Not sure if we reach you? Call and ask.

Neighborhoods We Serve

View All Service Areas

FAQ

Emergency Electrician FAQ

Sparks, heat or lost power? Call now and tell us what you see.

Call (984) 271-2113

What should I do if an outlet or wiring gets wet?

Do not touch it or plug anything in. If you can reach the panel from a dry spot, turn off the breaker for that area. Leave it off until the outlet and wiring have been checked.

Should I call 911 or an electrician?

Call 911 first if you see smoke or flames, or if someone was hurt by a shock. For sparks, hot outlets, burning smells or lost power with no fire, call us.

Is it safe to keep resetting a tripped breaker?

No. A breaker that trips again right after a reset is protecting that circuit. Leave it off and call us so we can find out why it trips.

My power is out. Is the problem in my home or on the street?

Look at your neighbors. If their lights are out too, it is likely a utility outage, so call Duke Energy. If only your home or part of it is dark, the problem is likely in your panel or wiring, so call us.

How fast can you get here?

In Durham we are usually at your door in 40 to 50 minutes. Towns farther out can take a little longer. We give you a time when you call.

Do you take calls at night and on weekends?

Yes. We take emergency calls 24/7, including nights and weekends.

Do you charge extra for nights or weekends?

No. A call at night or on a weekend costs the same as one during the day, and you get the price before any work starts.

Are you licensed and insured?

Yes. Brian Electric LLC is licensed in North Carolina, bonded and insured, with more than 15 years of experience.

Call 24/7: (984) 271-2113