Power trips and sockets · Can wait
One power socket stopped working but everything else is fine. Why?
General guidance for homes in Singapore. In a condo or other strata building, common property is for the management office; in an HDB flat, your Town Council.
It may be the appliance, the socket's own switch or a single tripped breaker. Rule those out, then leave the socket to an electrician.
Check first
- Plug a small appliance you know works, such as a phone charger, into the socket.
- Check the socket's own switch is on.
- Look at your DB box, without opening covers, to see if one breaker is down.
What you can try
- Unplug everything from that socket before resetting a breaker.
- Reset a tripped breaker once. If it stays on and the socket works, plug things back in one at a time.
- Stop using an extension or multi-plug adaptor on that socket until it has been checked.
When to stop and get help
- The socket is warm, discoloured, cracked, loose in the wall or smells of burning.
- The breaker trips again straight away.
- Several sockets in one room have gone off together.
Who to contact
- Your landlord or agent — If you rent. Tell them before booking any repair, and check your tenancy agreement for who arranges it.
- 995 — If there is smoke, sparking or fire.
Find your building's management office
Every building in the estate.sg directory lists its management office's number and address.
When to hire someone
If the socket still does not work after the checks, or it shows any warning sign. Socket and wiring repairs are electrical work.
Ask before you book:
- What is the total price, including call-out, parts and any after-hours charge?
- Are you, or is the person doing the work, an EMA Licensed Electrical Worker?
- What was the cause?