Emergency Electrical Repairs in Los Angeles

*Updated October 2025
When power fails or equipment overheats, minutes matter. RG Electric provides 24/7 emergency electrical service across Los Angeles. Our licensed C-10 team troubleshoots partial outages, tripping breakers, burning smells, hot panels, damaged wiring, ground faults, and storm surge issues. We work safely, restore power quickly, coordinate with LADWP when utility supply is the cause, and provide clear documentation for property managers, homeowners, and insurers.

What Counts as an Electrical Emergency

Contact us immediately if you notice any of the following. If there is active fire, growing smoke, or visible arcing, call 911 first, then call us.

• Burning smell, smoke, scorch marks, or a hot electrical panel or breaker
• Repeated tripping breakers, main disconnect that will not reset, lights that dim or flicker
• Sparks or popping at outlets or switches, buzzing or crackling sounds
• Water intrusion in the panel or receptacles after rain or a plumbing leak
• Partial outage, some rooms dark while others have power
• GFCI or AFCI devices that will not reset, or nuisance trips during normal use
• Storm related surges, electronics or appliances that fail after a voltage spike

Many emergencies trace back to loose neutrals, overloaded circuits, aged breakers, or legacy equipment. If you have a Zinsco, Federal Pacific, Pushmatic, or Challenger panel, failures are more common. We can stabilize the site and then plan a code compliant panel upgrade when needed.

What We Do in the First Hour

Our goal is to make the site safe, identify the fault, and restore essential service. A typical first hour looks like this.

• Safety check, thermal scan, odor and smoke inspection, non contact and contact voltage tests, moisture check near equipment
• Source isolation, identify if the fault sits on a branch circuit, a sub panel, the main service, or on the utility side
• Stabilize, secure or cap damaged conductors, tighten terminations, replace failed breakers when safe, restore partial power where possible
• Utility coordination, when a service drop, meter, or transformer issue is suspected we advise and coordinate with LADWP
• Plan, provide written findings with photos, list the permanent repair or upgrade, provide pricing, and confirm next steps

Residential Emergency Repairs

Homes in Los Angeles often combine older wiring with modern loads. Space heaters, EV chargers, microwaves, and HVAC equipment can expose weak points. We resolve hot breakers, loose neutral bars, back stabbed receptacles, aluminum branch circuits that need safe terminations, and moisture intrusion at outdoor enclosures. If an immediate panel replacement is not practical at night, we stabilize and schedule a same week upgrade with permits and inspection.

Many homeowners also add protection during recovery. A whole house device reduces risk from future voltage spikes. Learn how we install whole house surge protection to protect HVAC condensers, refrigerators, ranges, and electronics.

Apartment and Commercial Emergency Repairs

Property managers rely on predictable response and clear communication. Our on call technicians handle house panels, meter stacks, common area lighting, parking gates, lighting contactors, and water pump circuits. We coordinate shutoffs, post notices when needed, and reduce downtime for residents and businesses.

• Common area outages, stair and corridor lighting down, tripped lighting contactors
• Gate and garage circuits, access control power issues, GFCI and dedicated circuit faults
• Booster pump and elevator room power, thermal alarms, and nuisance trips
• Code compliance follow ups after a failed inspection

For older buildings with legacy gear, a planned upgrade prevents repeat calls. See our commercial electrical services in Los Angeles to plan replacements that pass inspection and satisfy insurance requirements.

Common Emergency Fixes We Perform

• Failed or overheating breakers, melted busbars, damaged lugs
• Damaged wiring and loose neutrals, overheated connections, aluminum to copper transitions
• Ground faults and nuisance trips at GFCI and AFCI devices
• Water ingress and corrosion in outdoor panels and meter mains
• Surge related failures, recommendation and installation of surge protective devices
• Temporary restoration with safe labeling and a plan for permanent repair

Pricing, Permits, and Documentation

Emergency visits are billed by response and scope. After stabilization, we present clear pricing for permanent work. When a panel change, service relocation, or new sub panel is required, we handle the permit, schedule inspection, and provide a labeled directory and photo documentation. Property managers receive a summary that is easy to attach to work orders and insurance files.

Neighborhoods We Serve

We respond across the Los Angeles metro, including Downtown, Hollywood, Koreatown, Silver Lake, Echo Park, West Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Santa Monica, and Long Beach. If you are unsure we cover your area, call us. Night work is available when safety or operations require it.

Before We Arrive

• If there is fire or active arcing, evacuate and call 911
• Turn off the affected breaker if it is safe to do so, do not touch charred equipment
• Keep people and pets clear of wet areas and metal surfaces
• Make the panel or meter room accessible, have keys ready if the room is locked
• Gather any recent electrical quotes or inspection notes, these help speed diagnosis

Why Choose RG Electric for Emergency Service

• Licensed C-10 team, experienced with legacy panels and modern protection
• 24/7 availability for homes, apartments, and commercial properties
• Clear communication, photos, and written findings after each call
• Direct path to permanent repair, including panel upgrades that meet code and pass inspection
• Options to add surge protection to reduce future risk
  
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer 24/7 emergency service?
Yes, our dispatch can send a technician day or night based on urgency and availability. Call (323) 521-5131.

When should I call the utility instead?
If the entire block is dark, or if the service drop is damaged, LADWP will need to respond. If you are unsure, call us first. We will help you triage and coordinate.

Is it safe to reset a tripped breaker?
Try once. If it trips again, leave it off and call. Repeat trips indicate a fault or an overload that needs diagnosis.

Can you replace a failed main panel during an emergency?
We stabilize first, then schedule a code compliant replacement with permit and inspection. Temporary restoration may be possible in some cases.

Do you work with apartment buildings and HOAs?
Yes, we handle meter rooms, house panels, common area lighting, and access systems. We provide photos and a written summary for your records.

Can you help prevent this from happening again?
After repairs we often recommend a panel health check, correction of loose neutrals, and installation of a surge protective device. We also provide quotes for planned panel upgrades.

Electrical work is hazardous. Consult a licensed electrician like RG Electric for inspections, permits, and code compliant repairs.