Power points & circuits
Dead GPOs, half-working outlets, and tripping circuits.
Power point (GPO) completely dead
Nothing plugged into a power point works, while other outlets are fine. A classic trace-it-back fault on a single GPO or the run feeding it.
Half the power points in the house not working
A group of outlets across several rooms is dead together while lights and other GPOs work — points at one power circuit's protection or a shared upstream fault.
Double power point — one side works, one doesn't
On a double GPO, one socket works and the other is dead — usually an internal fault in the outlet or a loose link between the two sockets.
Power point burnt, melted, or smells hot
A GPO is discoloured, melted, or gives off a burning smell — a serious fire-risk fault from arcing/overheating at the outlet, usually from a poor plug fit or overload.
USB power point not charging devices
A GPO with built-in USB ports won't charge (or charges very slowly) while the normal sockets work — usually the USB module or a device/cable mismatch.
Powerboard or extension lead not working
A powerboard or extension lead delivers no power, while the wall outlet it's plugged into is fine — usually the board's switch, its overload/reset, or a damaged lead.
An appliance trips the power the moment it's plugged in or switched on
Plugging in or switching on a particular appliance instantly trips the safety switch or breaker — strongly suggesting an earth fault or short in that appliance.
Smart switch not working (no neutral at the switch)
A smart/Wi-Fi switch won't power up, drops offline, or makes the light glow/flicker — commonly because there's no neutral at the switch, which many smart switches need.
Three-phase outlet / appliance not working (one phase missing)
A three-phase outlet or appliance (welder, large machine, commercial kitchen gear) isn't working right — a missing phase at the socket leaves it under-powered or not starting.
Commercial kitchen equipment has no power
A piece of commercial kitchen gear (oven, fryer, dishwasher, cool room) is dead — pointing at its dedicated circuit, isolator, an emergency-stop/gas-interlock, or the appliance.
Power point reads voltage but the appliance won't run
You measure roughly normal voltage at the GPO, but plug in an appliance and nothing happens. The point isn't 'dead' on the meter, yet it won't drive a load.
Faint tingle or voltage on an appliance frame
A user reports a faint tingle off a stainless appliance, tap, or metal enclosure. A meter shows some voltage between the frame and true earth, but the RCD hasn't tripped.