Diagnostic electrical fault finding and repair
Electrical Fault Finding
Electrical fault finding is the diagnostic process of tracing the cause of an electrical problem — such as a tripping circuit, dead socket or intermittent fault — using systematic testing, carried out by a qualified electrician before any repair is agreed.
Definition
What Fault Finding covers
Electrical faults can have several possible causes, from a faulty appliance to damaged cabling or a failing protective device, and correctly identifying the actual cause before repairing avoids paying to fix the wrong thing. Fault finding uses test equipment to isolate the faulty circuit or component systematically rather than guessing.
Suitable for
- Circuits that repeatedly trip the consumer unit
- Sockets or lighting circuits that have stopped working
- Intermittent faults that are hard to pin down
- Burning smells, sparking or buzzing from sockets or switches (treat as urgent)
Not suitable for
- Total loss of power across the whole property with neighbouring properties also affected — this is usually a supply issue for your Distribution Network Operator, not a domestic fault
- Situations involving visible fire, smoke or immediate danger, which need the emergency services called first
Process
How the work is carried out
- 01
Initial callout
Attending site and discussing the symptoms and when the fault occurs.
- 02
Diagnostic testing
Using test equipment to trace the fault to the specific circuit or component.
- 03
Explanation
Explaining the cause and the repair options, including cost, before proceeding.
- 04
Repair and re-test
Carrying out the repair and re-testing the circuit before leaving it live.
Typical timescale
Most faults are diagnosed within the initial callout; some intermittent faults may need a follow-up visit or monitoring to catch the fault occurring.
Cost guidance
A fault-finding callout typically costs £80–£180 in our area, as a fixed diagnostic fee, with any subsequent repair quoted once the fault is identified. We provide an itemised quotation for the repair after diagnosis rather than a fixed headline price.
Limitations and exclusions
- The diagnostic callout fee covers identifying the fault; any repair, including parts, is quoted separately once the cause is known
- Some intermittent faults may require more than one visit to reliably reproduce and diagnose
- Faults on the supplier's side of the meter are a matter for your electricity distributor, not a domestic electrician
Areas we cover
Fault Finding across Sussex, Surrey, Kent and South London
Local property styles, planning authorities and neighbourhood coverage for fault finding in each town we work in.
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FAQs
Fault Finding FAQs
Why does my circuit keep tripping?
Possible causes include a faulty appliance, an overloaded circuit, damaged cable or a failing RCD. We trace the actual cause through testing rather than guessing which it is.
Is the diagnostic fee separate from the repair cost?
Yes. The callout covers a fixed diagnostic fee to identify the fault, and any repair — including parts — is quoted separately once the cause is confirmed.
What should I do if I smell burning from a socket?
Stop using it immediately and, if it's safe to do so, switch off the relevant circuit at the consumer unit. Treat this as urgent rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
Discuss your fault finding project
Tell us about the property and what you have in mind, and we'll arrange a site visit.
Last reviewed 2026-07-28.