Otis Singleton
Electrical fires are a common threat, causing 13% of house fires and the largest share of property damage for businesses. They can be identified by a distinct burning plastic or fishy smell, which is caused by the wiring insulation burning. If you smell something burning and it doesn't go away, it's best to call an electrician to come and inspect your home's electrical system. They will be able to tell if there is an issue and help prevent a fire from starting. If you are unable to identify the source of the smell, you can use a thermal imaging camera to find any hot spots.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Smell | Burning plastic, fish, rubber, popcorn |
| Source | Electrical fire, faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, malfunctioning breakers, loose wires, frayed cords, damaged wire insulation |
| Action | Call an electrician, call the fire department, unplug appliances, turn off circuit breakers |
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What You'll Learn
Call an electrician
If you smell something burning and it doesn't go away after a few minutes, it's best to call an electrician to come and take a look. Electrical fires can spread very rapidly, often within minutes, and they can start without any visible signs of a fire. They are usually caused by a problem with the wiring in a home or building, such as overloaded circuits, faulty switches or outlets, damaged or frayed wires, or appliances that have been improperly used or maintained. If you're unsure whether or not you have electrical problems, it's always best to err on the side of caution and contact a licensed electrician.
A burning smell could be coming from charred outlets, which means that either a small electrical fire has already occurred or the outlet is too hot. Both are clear signs that the building is at risk of an electrical fire, and a licensed electrician will be able to tell if the wiring to that outlet needs to be replaced. If you notice larger sparks that leave behind a burning smell, residue, or make noise, you should also contact an electrician to check the outlet and ensure it's safe to use.
If you can't identify where the burning smell is coming from, turn off the circuit breakers and call an electrician for an emergency inspection to identify the source of the wiring problem. A circuit breaker automatically shuts off electricity when it's overloaded to prevent an electrical fire, but if it keeps tripping, it could indicate a wiring or circuit overload issue that needs to be addressed by an electrician.
Electrical fires can be identified by a distinct smell of burning plastic, rubber, or even fish, and they often start behind walls, so you might smell one before you see any signs of a fire. If you notice any signs of an active fire, call 911 immediately.
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Use a thermal imaging camera
If you smell something burning and suspect it could be electrical, it's important to act quickly. Electrical fires can spread rapidly and are extremely dangerous. One way to identify the source of the smell is to use a thermal imaging camera.
Thermal imaging cameras, also known as infrared cameras, detect and visually display heat emissions from objects. They capture infrared radiation emitted by objects, converting it into an electronic image that displays the surface temperature. Different temperatures are represented by different colours, with warmer areas typically shown in red and cooler areas in blue. These cameras can identify hot spots and abnormal heating in electrical systems, helping to diagnose potential issues.
Thermal imaging cameras can identify electrical issues that may not be apparent to the naked eye. For example, undersized conductors, loose connections, or excessive current flow can cause abnormally high temperatures, leading to dangerously hot circuits. Thermal cameras can detect this excess heat before it causes an outage or explosion. They can also identify overloaded circuits, faulty switches or outlets, and damaged or frayed wires, all of which are common causes of electrical fires.
To use a thermal imaging camera effectively, it's best to have a trained professional or a qualified technician. They will point the camera at critical components, such as electrical panels, high-load connection points, drives, and disconnects, looking for unexpected hot spots. The camera will produce a live image of the heat emitted, and the technician can capture thermal images for closer analysis. These images can be compared over time to track temperature changes and identify unusual hot or cool spots.
You can purchase consumer-grade thermal imaging camera attachments for your smartphone. These can be useful for identifying potential electrical issues and hot spots in your home. However, if you detect any issues or are unsure, it's essential to contact a licensed electrician or your local fire department for further inspection and guidance.
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Check outlets and fixtures
If you smell something burning and suspect it might be electrical, it's important to take action immediately. Electrical fires can spread very quickly and are often caused by wiring problems, overloaded or faulty circuits, outlets, and switches, or damaged or frayed wires.
If you suspect the burning smell is coming from an outlet or fixture, there are a few things you can do to check:
- Use your hand to feel the wall surface around the outlets and fixtures. If an outlet or switch is hot to the touch, it could indicate a problem. However, do not touch an outlet if you suspect there is a serious issue, as this could be dangerous. Instead, use a handheld temperature sensor to check for heat.
- Remove the cover plates from outlets and fixtures and use a flashlight to check for any discoloured or deformed plastic on your devices. Deformed plastic could indicate that the outlet or fixture is overheating.
- If you can't see any issues, you may need to start pulling devices out. If something is burning, you should be able to smell it when you open the plate.
- Check for scorch marks. If you can't find any scorching, you may need to look deeper, such as in your attic or crawl spaces.
- Check your electrical panel for AFCI or CAFCI/CFCI breakers. These can help protect against electrical fires and can help you identify the affected circuit if one trips.
- If you suspect a particular appliance is causing the smell, try restarting it to see if the problem is resolved. If not, try a different appliance or outlet to see if they are also causing the problem.
- If you suspect an overloaded circuit, try unplugging some appliances and see if the smell goes away.
- Check for any debris or foreign objects stuck in your outlets.
- If you have a fluorescent light fixture, check the ballast.
- Check any light fixtures for bugs.
- If you have a furnace, it could be a common cause of an electrical burning smell.
- If you have recently had a high-power draw on an outlet, such as from an air conditioning unit, it could be causing the outlet to short out and fry.
- If you suspect a wiring issue, you can check every outlet to see if it is wired properly.
If you are unable to identify the source of the burning smell, it is important to contact a licensed electrician or your local fire department to help identify and resolve the issue.
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Inspect electrical cords
If you smell something burning, it may be an electrical fire. Electrical fires are a common threat, causing 13% of house fires and causing the largest share of property damage for businesses. They are usually caused by faulty or damaged appliances, ungrounded outlets, overloaded circuits, or the use of too many extension cords.
To prevent an electrical fire, be aware of the potential hazards and take steps to avoid them. Inspect your electrical cords and outlets regularly for signs of wear or damage. If you see any, replace them immediately. Here are some tips for inspecting electrical cords:
- Check for loose terminations: Over time and with frequent use, the "clamps" on plugs can get worn out and stop squeezing the blade of the cords as tightly. Loose terminations will always cause heat.
- Look for fraying: Frayed cords are a common source of electrical fires.
- Check for exposed wires: If the insulation around the wires has worn away, it could be a fire hazard.
- Inspect for damage: If the cord looks melted, scorched, or otherwise damaged, it should be replaced.
- Test the plug: Ensure that the plug still grabs the blade of the cord tightly.
If you suspect that your electrical cords or outlets are overloaded, causing frequent tripping of circuit breakers, consult an electrician to help. It is recommended to get an electrical inspection every three to five years to get ahead of any potential safety hazards.
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Take preventative measures
Electrical fires are a common threat, causing 13% of house fires and the largest share of property damage for businesses. They can be caused by overloaded circuits, faulty switches or outlets, damaged or frayed wires, and appliances that have been improperly used or maintained. Older homes with outdated electrical systems are also at risk.
To prevent electrical fires, it is important to be aware of potential hazards and take steps to avoid them. Here are some preventative measures you can take:
- Inspect electrical cords and outlets regularly for signs of wear or damage and replace them immediately if needed.
- Keep flammable materials away from heat sources like space heaters and candles.
- Do not use electrical appliances in wet areas and keep your hands dry when using electrical appliances.
- Unplug appliances when not in use and do not touch them with bare, damp, or sweaty hands.
- Use light bulbs that match the recommended wattage for the fixture.
- Do not leave a space heater unattended and turn off and unplug holiday lights at the end of the season.
- Inspect plugs and cords on electric blankets annually and never fold them while they are plugged in.
- Be cautious when using extension cords, as they can overheat if too much current is passed through them.
- Keep your electrical system up to date to handle the demands of modern appliances and electronics.
- Be aware of unusual smells, such as burning plastic, rubber, or a fishy odor, which can indicate an electrical fire or an overheating component.
- Listen for buzzing sounds from switches or outlets, which can indicate a loose connection or a fire behind the wall.
- Look out for charred or discolored outlets and switches, sparking, dimming, flickering lights, and exposed wires or cables, which can indicate a fire hazard.
- If you are unsure, contact a licensed electrician to inspect your electrical system and address any potential hazards.
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Frequently asked questions
If you detect an electrical burning smell, it is important to act immediately. Evacuate the premises and call the fire department to extinguish the fire. Once everyone is safe, call an electrician to come and inspect your electrical system.
An electrical fire typically produces a very unpleasant burning smell that is hard to ignore. It often smells like burning plastic, rubber, or fish. Other signs include outlets that are hot to the touch, sparks coming from outlets or switches, and discoloured or deformed plastic on your devices.
You can use a thermal imaging camera (TIC) to find any hot spots. Alternatively, you can purchase a consumer-grade infrared (thermal) camera attachment for your smartphone. If you cannot identify the source, turn off the circuit breakers and call an electrician for an emergency inspection.
Common sources of electrical fires include overloaded circuits, faulty switches or outlets, malfunctioning breakers, loose wires, frayed cords, and damaged wire insulation. Electrical fires often occur when there is outdated wiring in a home or building that cannot handle the demands of modern appliances.
