Losing power, hearing a breaker trip again and again, or smelling burning from a plug all need a qualified electrician quickly. Supa Nova’s licensed electricians handle electrical emergencies across Johannesburg from our base in Maryvale. We’re not a 24-hour service. Call us during working hours (Monday to Friday, 7:00 to 17:00, and Saturdays by prior arrangement) and we’ll prioritise urgent faults. Our average response time is 1 to 2 hours.
Electrical emergency? Call 082 891 1577.
Electrical emergencies we attend
- No power to the whole house while the neighbours still have power
- Earth leakage or main breaker that won’t reset
- Burning smell, scorch marks or buzzing from plugs, switches or the DB board
- Sparking at a plug, light or appliance
- Water near electrics after a burst pipe, geyser or storm
- Damage after a power surge, often when power comes back on
What to do first
- If you smell burning or see sparks, switch off the main switch at the DB board if it’s safe to reach.
- Don’t touch wet electrics. Keep everyone away from water near plugs or the DB board.
- Check whether it’s just you. If the whole street is off, it’s a supply fault. Report it to City Power or Eskom, depending on who supplies you.
- Call us and describe what you see and hear.
Fault finding
Many emergency calls come down to finding the fault. A trip that happens “randomly” has a cause, and we find it by testing circuit by circuit. Common culprits in Johannesburg homes include:
- Geyser elements leaking current to earth
- Damp in outside plugs, garden lights and pool pumps, especially during summer storms
- Old, perished wiring in homes built before the 1980s
- Faulty appliances such as kettles, washing machines and ovens
- Surge damage to breakers and earth leakage units
Read more in our guide: Why does my earth leakage keep tripping?
Frequently asked questions
How much is an emergency call-out for an electrician?
There’s no call-out fee, even for urgent faults. You pay for labour and a travelling fee, plus parts. The travelling fee is R400. Our hourly rate is available on request, and quotations are free. We tell you the costs before we come out.
How do I know an electrician is registered?
Ask for their registration with the Department of Employment and Labour as an electrical contractor. Only a registered electrician can issue a Certificate of Compliance.
Can you fix it on the same visit?
Usually, yes. We carry common breakers, earth leakage units and wiring on the vehicle.