Brisbane’s storm season runs roughly from October to March, and every year the same pattern plays out: a severe cell rolls through, the power flickers or drops, and a week later the electrician’s phone is ringing about dead power points, a tripping switchboard or an air conditioner that won’t start. Most storm-related electrical damage is preventable or at least manageable if you know what to do before, during and after the storm.
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Before the storm: what’s worth doing now
Getting the house ready costs far less than repairing it afterwards. A few checks in October pay for themselves over summer:
- Test your safety switches. Press the test button on each one in the switchboard; it should trip immediately. If it doesn’t, it isn’t protecting you. Our guide to RCD safety switch testing explains how often and how.
- Look at the meter box and switchboard for water entry, rust, insects or damaged seals. Wet-weather leaks into a switchboard are one of the most common causes of storm faults.
- Check outdoor power points, lights and fittings for cracked covers or missing seals. Water in an outdoor GPO is a shock and fire risk. See outdoor power points and deck lighting for what a compliant outdoor install looks like.
- Have the overhead service line inspected if it sags, rubs on trees or the house end looks loose. Trim trees near your property, but never near the powerlines themselves; that’s a job for the network or an approved contractor.
- Consider surge protection. Lightning and network switching cause voltage spikes that damage electronics. A whole-of-home surge protection device at the switchboard is far more effective than a power board alone.
During the storm
If you lose power, switch off sensitive appliances at the wall (or turn the main switch off if the outage is widespread) so a surge doesn’t hit everything at once when supply returns. Unplug the TV, computers and other electronics if you have time. Stay away from windows and wet areas, and don’t use corded phones or take a shower during close lightning.
If you see a fallen powerline, treat it as live. Stay at least 8 metres away, keep others back, and call Energex on 13 62 62 or Triple Zero if there is immediate danger. Never drive over or move a downed line.
After the storm: when to call an electrician
Don’t just reset the switchboard and carry on if something doesn’t feel right. Call a licensed electrician if you notice any of the following:
- A safety switch or breaker that trips again straight after being reset
- A burning smell, scorch marks or crackling from a power point, switchboard or appliance
- Power points or lights that have stopped working in one part of the house while the rest is fine
- Water has entered the switchboard, a power point, a ceiling light or the meter box
- Flickering or dimming lights across the whole house, which can point to a damaged service line or neutral fault
- Appliances that have failed or air conditioners that won’t start after the outage
If anything electrical has been wet, leave it switched off until a licensed electrician has checked it. In Queensland, electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician, and that includes repairs to wiring and switchboards after storm damage.
Floods and water-affected electrics
If floodwater has reached power points, appliances or the switchboard, do not turn the power back on yourself. Water-affected wiring and switchboards generally need to be inspected and often replaced, because moisture and silt can cause faults weeks after the house dries out. If it’s safe to do so, turn off the main switch before water arrives, and keep the power off until an electrician signs it off.
What about your air conditioner?
Air conditioners are a common storm casualty because power surges damage the circuit boards in the indoor and outdoor units. After an outage, wait a few minutes before restarting a split system, and if it won’t start, shows an error code or trips the breaker, have it checked. Our guide on what to check when an air conditioner stops working covers the common causes. A surge protection device at the switchboard helps protect the outdoor unit as well as the rest of the house.
Typical costs
Costs depend on what’s damaged. As a guide, a storm call-out and fault-find typically starts from around $200 to $350, replacing a damaged power point or outdoor fitting often runs from $150 to $300, and a replacement switchboard or surge protection device is a larger job, with surge protection commonly starting from around $350 to $700 installed. Insurers often cover storm damage, so keep photos and any invoices from the electrician for your claim.
Need a hand?
Integrated Trade Services is a licensed electrical and air conditioning contractor servicing Brisbane and Moreton Bay. If your power is behaving oddly after a storm, see our electrical services or our guide to when you need an emergency electrician, or contact us or call 0400 775 002 and we’ll get someone out.
Related guides
- Do I need a safety switch in Queensland?
- RCD safety switch testing in Brisbane
- Emergency electrician in Brisbane: when you need one
Need a licensed Brisbane electrician? See our electrical services or get in touch for a quote.