Last week, we had some issues with the electricity at my parents’ apartment. Initially, after I had just finished cooking a steak, I noticed the electric stove had switched off. It was still plugged in, but didn’t work. A minute or so later, the chandelier in the kitchen went out -- indeed, all the chandeliers in the apartment were out. I went to the lobby to check the electrical box and found lobby still illuminated. I checked the elevators: they were working too. But at the very moment I opened the electrical box -- to check if everything was all right with it -- all the lights went out -- all the lights in the whole building. Good thing I had my phone with me because I was able to turn on the flashlight and illuminate the completely dark lobby. I tried to call on my neighbours, but, silly me, the doorbells didn’t work either without electricity.
The electricity was only out for several minutes. While I was searching for the number of an electrician, everything went to normal conditions. But that didn't last all day.
Later, while I was vacuuming, all electrical outlets in the apartment shut off again. I finally got ahold of the electrician, and they quickly sent two repairmen. These guys just opened the electrical box and flipped on one of the switches and "Voila!"
I can’t remember last time I had similar problems with our electrical system. Fortunately, such events are very rare, because this apartment is on 14th floor. Even though I like climbing. stairs, having to climb so far in a black out is too much even for me.