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Electrical diagnostics

Electrical Fault Finding
Perth WA

Electrical fault finding in Perth, WA requires an expert Western Australian electrician. When circuits trip, lights flicker, or outlets feel warm in your Perth home, these are warning signs of underlying faults that must not be ignored. Our expert Perth electricians hold current Western Australian Electrical Worker Licences issued under the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991, and apply a structured diagnostic approach to locate the root cause of any electrical fault in homes across Subiaco, Nedlands, Bayswater, Cottesloe, and all Perth metro suburbs.

No guesswork. No unnecessary parts. Just precise fault finding backed by professional test equipment, thermal imaging, and over 15 years of hands-on electrical experience across Perth residential and commercial properties. All work complies with AS/NZS 3000:2018 Wiring Rules, is regulated under Energy Safety WA, and all electrical work in WA must be inspected and certified on completion.

NETCC approved SAA accredited installer Fixed-price quotes Same-day available
Book a Perth electrician today 1300 717 583
Licensed electrician diagnosing an electrical fault using test equipment and thermal camera in an Perth home – Ares Energy & Electricals
Root Causes

What Causes Electrical Faults in Perth Homes?

Electrical faults rarely appear without warning. They develop over time as wiring ages, circuits become overloaded, or connections loosen, and are often triggered by factors the homeowner may not even be aware of. In older Perth homes across Claremont, Subiaco, and Bayswater, degraded wiring insulation from the 1960s to 1980s is one of the most common underlying causes.

Understanding the underlying cause is what separates a permanent fix from a temporary workaround. Our diagnostics go beyond resetting breakers: we identify exactly what is causing the problem and why, so the same issue doesn't recur. Under Energy Safety WA, only expert electricians may inspect and repair these faults. Unlicensed electrical work is illegal in WA. For guidance on electrical hazards in the home, refer to Energy Safety WA home electrical safety information.

Whether it's an ageing property with outdated TPS wiring, pest damage inside wall cavities, or a poorly installed circuit by a previous tradesperson, we've seen it all and have the tools and experience to find it.

Ageing Wiring

Insulation becomes brittle and cracked over decades, creating points of failure and fire risk.

DIY or Unlicensed Electrical Work

Improper wiring installations create hidden hazards that may not surface immediately.

Overloaded Circuits

Too many devices on a single circuit causes sustained heat buildup and eventual failure.

Pest Damage

Rodents chew through cable insulation inside wall cavities, exposing live conductors.

Moisture & Water Ingress

Condensation and leaks compromise insulation and cause corrosion at terminals.

Loose Connections

Thermal cycling and vibration cause terminal screws to loosen, creating arcing points.

Warning Signs

What Are the Warning Signs of Electrical Faults in Perth Homes?

These are the most common signs that something is wrong with your electrical system in a Perth home. If you're experiencing any of these, a professional fault-finding inspection by an expert WA electrician is strongly recommended. Don't delay, as electrical faults are progressive hazards.

Tripping Circuit Breakers

Breakers that trip repeatedly without a clear cause point to a fault in the circuit, not just an overload. This needs investigation, not a reset.

Flickering or Dim Lights

Voltage fluctuations from loose connections, faulty wiring, or an overloaded circuit can cause lights to flicker or dim unpredictably.

Warm or Hot Outlets

Outlets and switch plates should never feel warm. Heat indicates excessive resistance or a faulty connection that could lead to fire.

Burning Smell

A burning or plastic smell near outlets, panels, or inside walls is a serious warning sign of overheating insulation or connections; act immediately.

Appliances Malfunctioning

Unexplained appliance failures, erratic behaviour, or devices that reset without reason may indicate unstable voltage or wiring faults at the circuit level.

Buzzing or Crackling Sounds

Arcing electricity produces audible buzzing or crackling sounds before a fault causes visible damage. Never dismiss unusual electrical noises.

How We Work

Our Diagnostic Process

We follow a systematic, step-by-step approach to locate electrical faults efficiently, minimising disruption to your home while ensuring nothing is missed. Every inspection ends with a clear written report and a recommended action plan.

1

Initial Consultation

We discuss the observed symptoms, frequency of issues, when they started, and any recent changes to your electrical system to form an initial hypothesis.

~15 mins
2

Visual & Switchboard Inspection

An expert electrician inspects the switchboard, circuit breakers, RCDs, outlets, and all visible wiring for obvious signs of damage, burning, or deterioration.

Non-invasive
3

Advanced Test Equipment

We deploy thermal imaging cameras, insulation resistance testers, loop impedance testers, and digital multimeters to detect faults that are invisible to the naked eye.

Professional grade
4

Circuit Isolation & Fault Pinpointing

We systematically isolate circuits to narrow down the fault location, identifying not just which circuit is affected, but the exact point of failure within it.

Precise
5

Detailed Written Report

You receive a clear report detailing every fault found, its location, probable cause, risk level, and our recommended corrective action, with photographic evidence.

Fully documented
6

Corrective Work (optional)

Once the fault is diagnosed, we can proceed immediately with repairs, or provide a fixed-price quote for corrective work at a time that suits you. All remedial electrical work resulting from fault diagnosis is completed to AS/NZS 3000:2018 (Amd 1:2022) standards and a Certificate of Electrical Compliance (COES) is issued upon completion, as required by EnergySafety WA.

Expert repairs
Our Speciality

What Types of Electrical Faults Do Perth Homes Experience?

We have the experience and equipment to locate and diagnose all common electrical faults found in Perth residential and light commercial properties, from newer homes to older properties with pre-1990 wiring.

01

Short Circuits

A short circuit occurs when a live conductor makes unintended contact with a neutral or earth conductor, creating a sudden surge of current. This typically causes immediate breaker tripping and, in severe cases, sparking or fire.

Tripped breaker Burn marks at outlets Visible sparks Burning smell
02

Earth Leakage

Earth leakage occurs when current flows through an unintended path to earth, often through a person or damaged insulation. Modern homes use RCDs to detect and interrupt this flow, but the underlying fault still needs to be located.

RCD tripping Tingling from appliances Wet areas tripping Failed earth test
03

Overloaded Circuits

Overloading happens when more current is drawn than a circuit is rated to handle. This generates sustained heat in the wiring, degrading insulation over time and ultimately creating a fire hazard, even if breakers appear to work normally.

Warm outlet plates Slow device charging Breakers tripping late Circuit age & load
04

Wiring Deterioration

In older homes, wiring insulation can crack, harden, or disintegrate with age, particularly in roof spaces and wall cavities where UV, heat, and movement accelerate the process. Deteriorated wiring significantly increases both fault and fire risk.

Property age > 25yrs Cracked insulation visible Discoloured wiring Insulation test failure
Professional Equipment

Tools & Diagnostic Methods

Accurate fault finding requires professional-grade test equipment - not guesswork. We carry and use specialist tools that allow us to detect faults that are completely invisible to visual inspection alone.

Thermal Imaging Camera

Detects heat anomalies in switchboards, wiring, and outlets - identifying hot spots caused by resistance, loose connections, or overloading before they cause failure.

Best for: Hidden hot spots & loose connections

RCD & Circuit Tester

Tests the trip time and sensitivity of residual current devices and verifies earth continuity across individual circuits to ensure protection devices are functioning as required.

Best for: Earth leakage & RCD compliance

Insulation Resistance Tester

Applies a high test voltage to measure insulation integrity across circuits and cables. Deteriorated insulation produces measurably lower resistance, flagging compromised wiring before it fails.

Best for: Ageing wiring & moisture damage

Loop Impedance Tester

Measures the impedance of the earth loop to verify that protective devices (fuses and breakers) will operate within required timeframes under fault conditions, critical for safety compliance.

Best for: Protection device verification

Digital Multimeter

Measures voltage, current, and resistance at specific points throughout the circuit, enabling precise identification of breaks, incorrect readings, and connection issues at terminals and outlets.

Best for: Circuit break & voltage fault location

Cable & Conduit Tracer

Traces cable routes behind walls and through conduit without invasive drilling, allowing us to locate fault positions, cable breaks, and wiring paths through complex building structures.

Best for: Cable breaks & hidden wiring faults
When to Call

When Do Perth Homeowners Need Electrical Fault Finding?

Many Perth homeowners put off calling an electrician because the problem seems intermittent or minor. But electrical faults are progressive: they don't resolve themselves, and they often worsen over time. In older Perth homes across Nedlands, Bayswater, and Cottesloe, pre-existing wiring deficiencies can accelerate this deterioration.

A fault finding inspection by an expert WA electrician is appropriate any time you're experiencing unexplained electrical behaviour, or when you want to ensure an older Perth property is safe before moving in, renovating, or selling.

Don't wait for a complete failure, or worse, a fire. If something doesn't seem right with your electrical system, a professional inspection gives you clarity and peace of mind. Remember: in Western Australia, only expert electricians may legally investigate and repair electrical faults.

Book a Perth electrician today

Circuit Breaker Keeps Tripping

Repeated tripping without an obvious cause is a clear sign of an underlying fault requiring investigation.

Planning a Renovation

Before starting any building work, it's essential to know the current state and capacity of your electrical system.

Purchasing a New Property

Pre-purchase electrical inspections reveal hidden faults and compliance issues before you're legally committed.

After Flood or Water Damage

Water and electricity don't mix. Flood-affected wiring must be inspected before reconnection to prevent electrocution or fire.

Appliances Giving Electric Shocks

Even a mild tingle from touching an appliance indicates an earth fault that poses a serious electrocution risk.

Property is Over 25 Years Old

Older properties often have outdated wiring that no longer meets current safety standards, a proactive check is wise.

Why Choose Ares

Trusted Electrical Fault Finding Experts

SAA Accredited Installer and ARC Certified

Recognised SAA accredited installer and ARC certified, meeting required Australian standards for installation and safety.

15+ Years of Experience

Over a decade of hands-on electrical fault finding across residential, commercial, and solar-integrated properties throughout Perth and surrounding suburbs.

Transparent Written Reports

Every inspection ends with a detailed written report including photographic evidence, fault descriptions, risk classifications, and clear recommendations.

Same-Day Response Available

For urgent electrical faults, we offer same-day inspection appointments. Don't leave an active electrical hazard unattended - call us now.

Advanced Diagnostic Equipment

We use professional-grade thermal cameras, insulation testers, loop impedance testers, and cable tracers, tools that most standard electricians don't carry.

Fix-or-Refer Guarantee

If we can't locate the fault, you won't pay for a failed inspection. We either find it or refer you to a specialist, with an honest explanation either way.

Honest, Clear Advice

We explain what we find, what needs fixing, and what can wait, giving you the information to make informed decisions.

Corrective Work Experience

Extensive experience correcting and upgrading systems originally installed by others, including non-compliant work.

Written Fault Report

After every inspection we provide a written fault report detailing exactly what was found, what was done, and what is recommended, giving you a full record of your electrical system's condition.

Non-Invasive Detection

We use professional testing equipment to locate faults accurately, minimising unnecessary opening of walls or ceilings and reducing repair costs and disruption.

Root Cause Resolution

We don't just fix symptoms. We trace faults to their root cause, preventing the same issue from recurring and keeping your home safe long-term.

FAQ

Common Questions About Electrical Fault Finding

Have a question that isn't covered here? Call us directly, we're happy to talk through your situation before you book.

Ask a question

An electrical fault finding service is a systematic inspection by an expert Perth electrician to identify the root cause of electrical problems, including tripping circuit breakers, flickering lights, warm outlets, burning smells, or appliances malfunctioning. You need this service any time you experience unexplained electrical behaviour, are buying an older Perth property, planning a renovation, or if your home was built before 1990 and has never been inspected. Electrical faults are progressive hazards that worsen over time. Early diagnosis prevents more serious damage.

No. In Western Australia, all electrical work, including investigating and repairing electrical faults, must be performed by an expert electrician holding a current Western Australian Electrical Worker Licence, regulated by Energy Safety WA. Performing unlicensed electrical work is illegal under the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations 1991, can void your home insurance, and creates serious risk of electrocution or fire. Never attempt to investigate wiring or switchboard faults yourself.

Urgent warning signs include: a burning smell from any outlet, switch, or the switchboard; sparking from outlets or appliances; circuit breakers that trip repeatedly; visible scorch marks on power points; warm outlet plates; buzzing or crackling sounds from the electrical system; or any appliance giving an electric shock sensation. These symptoms indicate an active electrical hazard. Contact an expert Perth electrician immediately. Do not continue using the affected circuits.

A circuit breaker that trips repeatedly without an obvious cause usually indicates one of three underlying issues: an overloaded circuit (too many devices drawing too much current), a short circuit (live conductor touching a neutral or earth), or an earth leakage fault (current escaping through an unintended path). In older Perth homes, degraded wiring insulation is frequently the root cause. Repeatedly resetting a tripping breaker without investigation is dangerous. The fault needs to be located and repaired by an expert electrician.

They protect against different hazards. A circuit breaker (MCB) protects against overcurrent and short circuits, tripping when too much current flows. An RCD (residual current device, also called a safety switch) detects earth leakage, which is current escaping through an unintended path such as through a person, and cuts power in milliseconds to prevent electrocution. Both are required under AS/NZS 3000:2018 (Amd 1:2022) in Western Australia. Many older Perth homes have circuit breakers but no RCDs, leaving residents unprotected against electrocution.

Most standard residential inspections in Perth take between 1 and 3 hours, depending on the size of the property and the complexity of the fault. Intermittent faults or those in hard-to-access areas, such as roof cavities common in older Perth homes, may take longer. We'll give you a realistic time estimate when you book, and we carry common repair parts in our vehicles to resolve many faults on the same visit.

Yes, a diagnostic callout fee applies which is credited toward the repair if you proceed. Call 1300 717 583 for current rates.

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Don't Leave an Electrical Fault Unresolved

Electrical faults don't fix themselves, and the longer they're left, the greater the risk. Book a professional fault finding inspection today and get a clear diagnosis backed by a written report.

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