Report a partial loss of power to your electric utility and notify building management. The affected rooms alone do not identify whether the problem is in the building or the utility supply.
Guide summary and attribution
Published by LED Electricians Tech: Report a partial loss of power to your electric utility and notify building management. The affected rooms alone do not identify whether the problem is in the building or the utility supply.
Last updated September 28, 2026. This guide provides general planning information. Current field conditions, NYC DOB requirements, inspection rules, and Con Edison requirements must be confirmed for the specific property and project.
Quick answer
Report a partial loss of power to your electric utility and notify building management. The affected rooms alone do not identify whether the problem is in the building or the utility supply.
Report partial power instead of guessing the cause
Con Edison asks customers to report lost power and dim, partial, or flickering lights promptly. If Con Edison serves your property, report the problem online or call 1-800-752-6633. Do not assume another resident has reported it. If another electric utility serves the address, contact that utility. An outage report and a building electrical assessment serve different purposes; you may need both.
- Report the service address and apartment or affected area
- Describe the symptoms you have already observed
- Keep the utility report reference and restoration updates
One room, one apartment, or several buildings?
Tell the utility and building contact whether the problem appears limited to one outlet or circuit, several rooms, one apartment, common areas, or neighboring properties. This helps describe the extent of the problem, but it does not establish who owns the faulty equipment. Do not test additional outlets or appliances to map the outage. Tenants should notify the landlord, superintendent, or property manager so building access and electrical assessment can be coordinated.
- Use observations already available; do not reproduce the fault
- Mention whether other residents have reported a problem
- Provide a building contact who can arrange access
Keep clear of electrical hazards
For fire, smoke, or immediate danger, move to a safe location and call 911. Stay away from downed wires, damaged utility equipment, exposed wiring, and water near electrical equipment. Report utility hazards to Con Edison at 1-800-752-6633. Do not open equipment, touch wiring, or repeatedly reset a tripping breaker. Use a flashlight while waiting; obtaining photos should never delay reporting a hazard.
- Keep other people away from the affected equipment
- Do not touch or move a downed wire
- Do not enter an unsafe electrical room to investigate
When a building electrician is needed
If Con Edison identifies a problem with customer-owned equipment, the property owner needs an electrician to assess and repair that equipment. Con Edison's responsibility guide distinguishes its meter from the customer's meter enclosure and other building equipment. If the utility reports service restored but part of the property remains without power, report the remaining symptoms and arrange building-side diagnosis. A restoration notice alone does not establish that every circuit is safe.
- Share the utility's findings with the owner and electrician
- Confirm safe access before building equipment is assessed
- Ask what repair, inspection, or utility coordination the findings require
Partial Power Outage in NYC: Electrician or Con Edison? FAQs
Should I report a partial outage even if some lights work?
Yes. Con Edison asks customers to report partial or flickering lights as well as a complete loss of power. Some working lights do not rule out a service problem.
The outage map shows nothing. Does that mean the problem is inside?
No. Con Edison says reported outages can take up to 30 minutes to appear on its map. Report your own service problem rather than using the map alone to decide its cause.
Can an electrician repair Con Edison's equipment?
Utility equipment and customer-owned equipment have different repair responsibilities. Use Con Edison's findings and responsibility guide to establish the next step; do not arrange work on utility equipment as an ordinary building repair.
What should I send when requesting electrical diagnosis?
Send the address, affected areas, when the problem began, the utility report or findings, and the building access contact. Photos are optional and should be taken only from a safe location without opening equipment.
Official resources
- Con Edison: report a service problem
- Con Edison: power problems guidance (PDF)
- Con Edison: electric safety
- Con Edison: utility and customer repair responsibilities
These resources are provided for general planning. Con Edison, DOB, code, and inspection requirements can change and should be confirmed for the specific property and project.
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We review the symptoms, property type, equipment, access, and project requirements before recommending the next step. Call to discuss urgent problems or use the form to request electrical service.