Overheating electrical parts often smell fishy, like urine, or like hot plastic before there is any visible damage. If you notice that near an outlet, switch, light or the panel, act on it.
Do this now
- If you see smoke or flames, get everyone out and call 911.
- Unplug whatever is in the outlet, if you can do so without touching anything hot or discolored.
- Switch off the breaker for that circuit. If you are not sure which, switch off the main.
- Leave it off. Do not reset it to see whether the smell returns.
- Call an emergency electrician at (888) 633-7804.
What causes it
- Loose connections. A wire that has worked loose arcs and heats. Push-in connections on the back of older outlets are frequent offenders.
- Overloaded circuits. Space heaters on a shared circuit are the winter classic.
- Worn outlets. If plugs slide out easily, the contacts are tired and run hot.
- Failing breakers or panel connections. A smell at the panel itself is especially serious.
- Old or damaged wiring. Aluminum and cloth-insulated wiring are more prone to it.
After the immediate fix
A scorched outlet is usually a symptom. Once the damaged device is replaced, it is worth having the rest of that circuit checked, and if the house is older, booking an electrical inspection. Working, interconnected smoke detectors are your backstop for the problems nobody is awake to smell.
Our emergency line covers the whole state, including Milwaukee, Madison, Kenosha and Eau Claire.