What to do right now
- Check the panel for any breaker in the off or middle position and reset it once.
- Ask neighbors whether they are seeing the same thing, and check your utility's outage information.
- Call your electric utility's outage line and describe the partial loss of power.
- Unplug sensitive electronics and turn off the AC and electric water heater until power is normal.
- If you see sparks at the meter, a burning smell, or smoke, stay clear and call 911.
Common causes
Lost leg on the utility side
Most homes get two 120-volt legs from the utility, and together they make 240 volts for things like the dryer, range and AC. If one leg drops at the transformer or service drop, roughly half your circuits go dead while the rest keep working.
Damaged service drop or connection
Storms, falling limbs and ice can damage the lines from the pole to the house. A loose or corroded connection at the weatherhead or meter can also knock out one leg.
Meter base problem
Corrosion or a burned connection in the meter base can interrupt one leg of power even when the utility lines are fine.
Main breaker or panel bus issue
A failing main breaker or a damaged spot on the panel bus bar can stop power to one side of the panel.
Tripped double-pole breaker
Sometimes a single 240-volt breaker for the dryer, water heater or HVAC trips and gives the impression that half the house is out.
Signs it's more serious
- Lights are dim on some circuits and extra bright on others
- Large appliances hum but will not run
- Visible damage to the lines or mast outside
- A burning smell near the meter or panel
- The problem started right after a storm or strong wind
When to stop and call. Stay away from downed lines and anything touching them, and call 911 and your utility right away if a line is down. Call 911 for smoke, flame, or sparking at the meter or panel. Do not open the panel or meter base, and never try to pull the meter. If the utility checks its side and finds it is fine, call to connect with a local electrician to inspect the meter base, service entrance and panel.
Safe things you can check or note
- Walk the house and list which rooms and appliances work and which do not.
- Look up at the service drop and mast from a safe distance for sagging or broken lines.
- Note whether the 240-volt appliances like the dryer, range and AC run at all.
- Check the time the power changed and whether weather was involved.
Leave covers, boxes and the panel closed. Noting what you see is enough; testing and repairs belong to an electrician.
What an electrician typically checks
The electrician will test voltage on both legs at the panel, check the main breaker, and inspect the meter base and service entrance for burned or loose connections. If one leg is missing at the panel but present at the meter, the fault is in the home's equipment. If it is missing at the meter too, it is typically the utility's to fix.
Repairs may involve meter base and service mast repair, replacing a failing main breaker, or in some cases an electrical panel upgrade. Any repair to the service entrance usually needs a permit and coordination with the utility.
Preventing it from coming back
Keep trees trimmed away from the service drop, and after spring storms or an ice storm, take a quick look at the mast and lines from the ground. Older service equipment in Murfreesboro and across Middle Tennessee can corrode over time, so an electrical inspection can catch trouble at the meter base early. The guide on what to do during a power outage covers the rest of the basics.