Burning Smell From Outlets or Appliances: What To Do
Imagine you return home from the Orange County Zoo and notice a strong burning smell from an outlet. As a homeowner, it’s crucial to know what to do when you encounter such an unnerving odor. Whether the burning scent seems like it’s coming from an electrical outlet or an appliance, you can trust the experts at Express Electrical Services to help you resolve the issue.
While not all burning smells constitute an emergency, some may be cause for alarm. Read on to learn what to do if you notice an electrical burning smell in your home, how to identify different smells, and when to call an electrician for help.
Immediate Actions: Safety First!
Before you attempt to troubleshoot burning smells in your home or call a licensed electrician, follow these important safety tips:
- Locate your breaker box, find the circuit breaker that controls the outlet or appliance where the smell is coming from, and flip it to the “off” position.
- Unplug the appliance if it’s safe to do so.
- Look around the source of the odor to confirm there are no active sparks, fire, or signs of damage.
- If you notice an extremely strong or noxious odor, open the windows, turn on ceiling fans, and go outside to avoid breathing in harmful smoke or toxins.
- Don’t try to fix the problem yourself — you could make the issue worse or cause an electrical shock or house fire.
Identifying the Source of the Burning Smell
An unusual burning smell in your home typically comes from issues with an electrical outlet or a home appliance. How do you identify the source of the smell? Use your nose to find the source as you walk through your home. If the odor gets stronger as you approach an outlet or appliance, it’s likely coming from one of those sources.
Odors that aren’t as strong or don’t produce visible sparks or smoke could come from a loose connection or faulty wiring inside your walls or other hidden areas. They may also be due to an overloaded circuit inside your electrical panel. If you can’t find the source of the burning smell and you’re concerned about your safety, contact your local emergency services right away.
Common Causes of Burning Smells From Outlets
An odd plastic burning smell from an electrical outlet can pose a serious electrical fire hazard. Here are some common causes for this odor:
- Exposed wiring can come into contact with other materials and cause a power surge, causing the outlet to smell like it’s burning.
- Overloaded circuits often lead to the circuit breaker tripping, which may cause the outlet to burn.
- If your outlet is smoking, it may have been exposed to water, have faulty wiring, or the outlet may be overloaded.
- A sparking outlet may be due to damaged components, short-circuiting, or the end of the unit’s lifespan.
- Other causes of a burning smell from an outlet include loose connections, improper installation, or exposed wiring.
Common Causes of Burning Smells From Appliances
Home appliances can also produce burning odors, which might be caused by:
- Dust, dirt, and grime in the moving parts of your appliance. The friction from this buildup may cause it to produce a burning smell.
- Frayed appliance cords exposing the wiring inside the cord, which may cause arcing and short-circuiting, leading to a dangerous fire.
- An overloaded circuit, loose wiring, issues with a heating element, blocked vents, or a general appliance malfunction.
- If your appliance is smoking, it might be due to new appliances (like ovens) producing “burn-off.” However, if the appliance isn’t new, suspect a more serious cause.
The Dangers of Ignoring a Burning Smell
Whether it’s an outlet overheating or a smoking appliance, you should never ignore a burning smell in your home. Here’s why it’s important to address the problem right away:
- Ignoring unusual burning smells may lead to a serious electrical fire that can spread rapidly and damage your home.
- Burning plastic and rubber from wires, outlets, or appliances releases dangerous toxic chemicals into the air that pose a serious health hazard when inhaled.
- Even if the burning smell doesn’t cause a fire, smoke or chemicals can still cause damage to your health and your home’s floors, walls, or ceiling.
- If live electrical components are exposed, it poses a serious risk of electric shock.
- Not addressing the problem could cause your appliance or outlet to malfunction. Replacing outlets or appliances is more expensive than a simple repair by a qualified electrician.
When To Call an Electrician
There are several reasons to call an electrician if you notice a burning smell in your home:
- Areas where water is present, like the kitchen or bathroom, require GFCI outlets. If the outlets in these areas of your home aren’t GFCI, an electrician can replace them with the correct ones.
- Aside from a burning smell, a buzzing outlet should also be corrected by a professional electrician.
- If you can’t run new wire inside your walls, a skilled electrician can install surface outlets to remedy the problem safely.
- Licensed electricians can replace faulty circuit breakers, outlets, appliance cords, and wiring.
Contact Express Electrical Services Today
Don’t let a burning smell threaten the safety of your Southern California home. If you notice a burning odor from an outlet or appliance, contact us right away. We’re available 24/7 to help with all your electrical emergency repair service needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I continue to use the outlet or appliance if the smell goes away?
No. Even if the burning smell dissipates, you shouldn’t continue to use the outlet or appliance. Instead, follow our safety tips and contact us as soon as possible so we can troubleshoot and make repairs.
What are some signs that the burning smell is a serious electrical problem?
A persistent plastic burning smell, buzzing noises, discoloration near outlets, signs of charring, or warm outlets can indicate a serious electrical problem. If you notice any of these signs, turn off the circuit for the faulty outlet or appliance and call an electrician.
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