My Electricity Keeps Going Off — Is It Load Shedding or a Fault?

What Is a Electricity Keeps Going Off Problem?

When your electricity keeps going off, the first question is always whether it's Eskom load shedding. Check the EskomSePush app or your municipality's schedule. If your neighbours have power and yours keeps cutting out, the problem is inside your property.

Repeated power loss that isn't load shedding usually points to an earth leakage fault, an overloaded DB board, a failing main breaker, or a problem with your prepaid or conventional meter. Older homes with aging wiring are particularly prone to intermittent faults that worsen over time.

It's important to distinguish between a complete loss of all power and partial power loss (only some rooms or circuits affected), as these point to different causes.

Common Symptoms & Warning Signs

• Power cuts out completely at unpredictable times, not matching the load shedding schedule
• Power returns on its own after a short period
• Only your property is affected while neighbours have electricity
• The DB board earth leakage switch has tripped to the off position
• Prepaid meter display goes blank or shows an error
• Power cuts out when certain appliances are switched on
• Lights dim noticeably before the power goes off

What Causes a Electricity Keeps Going Off Issue?

• Earth leakage fault: A wiring fault or appliance is causing small current leaks that trigger the earth leakage unit
• Overloaded main breaker: Total demand across the home exceeds the main circuit breaker rating
• Failing main switch or breaker: An aging breaker that's becoming unreliable and switching off under load
• Prepaid meter fault: The meter itself is malfunctioning, not just running out of credit
• Loose main connection: A loose wire at the meter or DB board causing intermittent disconnection
• Municipal supply fault: A problem on the street-side supply cable affecting only your property

Distinguishing between a meter fault and an internal wiring fault requires professional testing equipment.

Need a qualified electrician? Fonster connects you with vetted electricians in your area.

How Urgent Is This?

Electricity that cuts out repeatedly is a medium to high urgency issue. While it may seem like a nuisance, the underlying fault can be dangerous — especially if it involves loose connections at the main board, which generate heat and can cause fires.

If your power goes off and you notice any burning smell, discolouration at the DB board, or if the main switch feels hot to the touch, treat this as an emergency. Do not repeatedly force switches back on without investigating the cause.

DIY vs Professional Repair

Homeowners should check the EskomSePush app first to rule out load shedding, and check their prepaid meter credit balance. You can also check whether the earth leakage switch on the DB board has tripped and try to reset it once.

Beyond those checks, diagnosing intermittent power loss requires testing the main breaker, meter, and supply connection — all of which must be done by a registered electrician. Working near the main supply cable and meter is particularly dangerous and is legally restricted to qualified personnel in South Africa.

What Professionals Actually Do

An electrician will start by checking supply voltage at the meter and main board using a multimeter. They'll inspect all connections for signs of looseness, arcing, or heat damage and test the main breaker's performance under load.

If the meter is suspected, they'll liaise with the local municipality or Eskom for a meter test or replacement. Any loose or damaged connections will be re-terminated, and the entire board will be checked for compliance with SANS 10142 before sign-off.

Property Damage Risks

Loose or arcing connections at the main board generate significant heat over time. This can carbonise the surrounding insulation and eventually ignite the wooden or plastic components of the board enclosure, causing a house fire.

Repeated unexplained power loss also puts appliances at risk from voltage spikes when power returns, particularly sensitive electronics and motor-driven appliances like fridges and air conditioners.

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