Burning Smell from Your Electrics in Portsmouth?
In terraced streets and blocks of flats, an overheating connection puts more than one home at risk. If you notice a hot plastic smell, scorching or buzzing, switch off if you safely can and call us.
- 24/7 emergency call outs
- Part P registered electricians
Why it matters in a dense city
Portsmouth homes sit close together, with shared walls and floors in terraces and flats. An electrical fire that starts in one home can quickly affect the neighbours, which is why we treat burning smells as a priority.
The cause is usually heat at a poor connection: a loose terminal, a worn socket, a plug that no longer grips or an extension lead running a heater. In student houses and shared homes, overloaded multi way adaptors are a frequent source.
If you see smoke or flames, leave and call 999. If you only smell it, switch off at the main switch if it is safe, stop using the suspect fitting and call us. An emergency electrician then finds the hot spot, replaces what is damaged and tests the circuit.
- Smoke or flames?Get out, close doors and call 999
- Only a smell?Turn off at the main switch if you safely can, then ring 023 9380 0283
- PriorityWe put these calls first
- CostFixed and agreed before we start
- After the repairWhole circuit tested for other hot spots
Adaptor or plug feeling hot?
Unplug it if you safely can, switch that circuit off and call us.
Warning signs worth acting on
These signs all point to heat building up at a connection. If you spot one, stop using that fitting.
- Overloaded adaptors Multi way adaptors and extension leads running heaters, kettles or chargers together.
- A hot or discoloured socket Yellowing or brown marks around a socket or plug show heat damage.
- A smell with no obvious source Hot plastic or fishy smells that come and go, often from inside a wall box.
- Noise from the fuse board Fizzing or humming from the board points to arcing at a terminal that has worked loose.
- Lights flickering under load Dimming when the kettle or heater comes on can mean a poor connection.
- Scorched plugs on heaters Melted or browned plug tops on heaters and tumble dryers.
Step by step: how an emergency electrician traces a burning smell
Advice straight away
You get clear instructions on making things safe while we travel.
Locate the hot spot
The circuit is isolated and the overheating point traced.
Replace the damage
Heat damaged sockets, switches, connections and cable are renewed.
Test the circuit
Every connection on the circuit is checked so nothing is missed.
Heat damaged parts replaced across Portsmouth
Burning smells in Portsmouth homes: your questions
Should I treat a burning smell as an emergency?
Yes. Treat it as one. Switch off at the main switch if it is safe and call us. If there is smoke or fire, leave and call 999.
I live in a flat. Should I warn my neighbours?
If there is smoke or fire, raise the alarm and follow your building's fire plan. For a smell only, switch off your supply if safe, call us and let your landlord or managing agent know.
Can adaptors cause a burning smell?
Yes. Plugging several high power appliances into one adaptor or extension lead can overload it. Use a separate wall socket for heaters and kettles where you can.
Why does the smell come and go?
A loose connection heats up when current flows and cools when it stops, so the smell often appears when certain appliances are on. That pattern helps us find it.
Will you replace a scorched socket the same night?
Usually. We carry spare accessories, connectors and cable, so most heat damage is put right on the first visit.
More emergency electrical repairs in Portsmouth
Power Cuts & No Power
Terraced house, converted flat or high rise, a sudden loss of power in Portsmouth comes down to a short list of causes.
Read moreTripping Fuse Boxes
In Portsmouth's older terraces and converted flats, a tripping board is one of the commonest calls we get.
Read moreSockets, Lights & Wiring
A dead socket ring in a student house, no lights in a converted flat or a leak from upstairs reaching a fitting.
Read moreSmelling burning in Portsmouth?
Switch off if it is safe and call us straight away. You will speak to an emergency electrician who can keep you safe while you wait and tell you when we will be there.