Smell Burning from a Power Point or Switchboard? Here’s What to Do
If you smell something burning and suspect it’s coming from a power point, switch, or your switchboard — don’t ignore it.
It’s one of the most common warning signs of an electrical fault, and if left untreated, it can lead to fire, electric shock, or serious damage to your home.
At Feltus Electrical, we respond quickly to these kinds of jobs across Craigmore, Gawler, Elizabeth, and Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
🚩 What That Burning Smell Could Be
Here are the most likely causes:
1. Loose Terminals or Connections
This is extremely common. A loose connection behind a power point or switch can cause arcing — which creates heat, and eventually that “burning plastic” smell.
2. Overloaded Circuits
If you’ve plugged too much into one circuit, wires can overheat, especially in older homes with outdated protection.
3. Damaged Wiring or Rodents
In homes around Gawler, Freeling, and Roseworthy, we’ve seen rats and mice chew through cables in roof spaces. This can leave live copper exposed and heating up.
4. Burnt Out Sockets or Switches
Sometimes the switch or point is just old and brittle. Over time, insulation breaks down, and a simple plug-in can trigger heat or failure.
5. Failing Circuit Breakers or Fuse Boxes
If the smell is coming from your switchboard, that’s a bigger concern. You may have an overloaded breaker, poor cabling, or no RCBO protection.
🛑 What NOT to Do
Don’t keep using the power point
Don’t try to pull the plate off yourself
Don’t spray air freshener and forget it
Don’t assume it’s “just a smell” that will go away
These smells are your warning sign.
✅ What You Should Do
Turn off power to that area if it’s safe
Call a licensed electrician immediately
Don’t use the affected area again until it’s been checked and tested
At Feltus Electrical, we’ll:
Identify the fault
Isolate and test the circuit
Replace any damaged wiring, terminals, or fittings
Upgrade anything that’s unsafe or non-compliant
Provide you with a Certificate of Compliance for peace of mind
📍 Where We Work
We handle urgent electrical faults in:
Craigmore, Blakeview, Hillbank
Gawler, Willaston, Evanston, Freeling
Elizabeth, Munno Para, Salisbury
Kapunda, Roseworthy, and surrounding areas
📲 Smell burning and not sure where it’s coming from? Don’t wait.
We’ll inspect, diagnose and fix the fault safely — fast.
👉 Book Online Now
📞 Call Ben at Feltus Electrical: 0490 383 605