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Power Goes Off At The Same Time Every Day

Your electricity cuts out at roughly the same time each day, following a pattern.
Updated
How urgent
Caution
Who fixes it
An electrician

What's happening?

When power loss follows a predictable daily pattern, it usually relates to a regular event: an appliance on a timer, a heating system switching on, or even a neighbour's high-draw equipment affecting the supply. Time-related patterns are actually helpful for diagnosis.

What usually causes it?

  • Appliance on a timer drawing heavy current when it switches on (e.g., immersion heater, storage heater, water heater)
  • Economy 7 or off-peak switching causing a surge
  • Heating system starting up and overloading a circuit
  • Faulty time-controlled equipment like a boiler or heated towel rail
  • Supply voltage dip at peak times if the local network is overloaded

Is it dangerous?

A predictable pattern suggests the cause is identifiable and fixable. It is not an emergency, but it should be investigated because repeated tripping stresses the electrical system. The underlying issue may worsen over time.

Can I fix it myself?

Note the exact time the power goes off and what appliances or timers are set for that time. Check if an immersion heater, storage heater, or other timed appliance switches on at that point. Try disabling timed appliances one by one to identify the culprit.

When should you call an electrician?

Call an electrician if you cannot identify the timed appliance causing the issue, if disabling timers does not fix it, or if the problem persists. An electrician can test the circuit capacity and identify if the circuit is overloaded.

What will the electrician actually do?

  • Review the timing pattern and identify appliances running at that time
  • Test the circuit capacity and loading
  • Check timed appliances for faults (especially immersion heaters and heating elements)
  • Redistribute loads across circuits if overloaded
  • Install a dedicated circuit for high-draw appliances if needed

Who fixes this

What it usually costs

Questions people ask

Why does my power go off at the same time each day?

It is almost certainly an appliance on a timer. Common culprits are immersion heaters, storage heaters, and boilers that switch on at set times.

Could it be my Economy 7 meter?

Yes. Economy 7 meters switch to off-peak supply at a set time (usually around midnight). If your meter is faulty or the switchover causes a surge, it can trip your electrics.

Is my circuit overloaded?

Possibly. If the power cuts out when a heavy-draw appliance starts, the circuit may not have enough capacity. An electrician can test this and add a dedicated circuit if needed.

Sources & References

  1. BS 7671: IET Wiring Regulations (18th Edition)
  2. IET: BS 7671 Guidance Publications
  3. Electrical Safety First: Safety Guidance
  4. NICEIC: Householder Guidance

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