Burning Smell? Emergency Electrician in Haywards Heath
A fishy or plasticky burning smell, a hot or buzzing socket or brown scorch marks around a switch are signs of an overheating connection. That is a fire risk, and we treat it as an emergency.
- 24/7, 365 days a year
- Part P registered electricians
What that smell usually means
Electrical burning smells come from overheating. A loose terminal, a damaged plug, an overloaded extension lead or a failing accessory creates resistance, and resistance creates heat. Plastic starts to melt and gives off a distinctive fishy or acrid smell long before anything catches fire.
If there is smoke or flame, get everyone out and call 999. If there is only a smell, switch off at the main switch if it is safe to reach, don't use the affected socket or switch, and call us.
We trace the source with thermal checks and testing, replace the damaged accessory, connection or cable, and check the rest of the circuit so the problem doesn't simply move somewhere else.
Burning smells are treated as a priority call out anywhere in Haywards Heath and Mid Sussex.
- Smoke or flames?Get out and call 999
- Smell only?Switch off at the main switch if safe, then call us
- ResponseTreated as a priority call out
- PricingAgreed with you before any repair starts
- After the repairThe whole circuit is tested, not just the fitting
Can smell it right now?
Switch off at the main switch if safe and call 01444 684053.
Warning signs you should never ignore
Any one of these means a connection is overheating somewhere. Stop using it and get it checked.
- A fishy or plasticky smell Melting plastic from sockets, switches and cable insulation has a distinctive fishy smell.
- Hot sockets or switches Faceplates should never feel more than slightly warm. Hot means a loose or failing connection.
- Brown or black scorch marks Discolouration around a socket, plug or fuse box shows heat has already caused damage.
- Buzzing or crackling Buzzing from a fuse box, switch or socket usually means arcing at a loose connection.
- Flickering lights Lights that flicker when something else switches on can point to a loose connection upstream.
- Melted plugs Deformed plug pins or casings, often on heaters and kettles, show the socket behind them is overheating.
What happens when you call us in Haywards Heath
Call us straight away
We will tell you how to make things safe while we are on our way.
Isolate and inspect
The affected circuit is isolated and we trace the heat to its source.
Replace the damage
Scorched accessories, connections and damaged cable are replaced, not patched.
Test the circuit
The whole circuit is tested so we know the problem hasn't moved elsewhere.
Fixed properly, finished neatly, across Haywards Heath
Burning smells in Haywards Heath: your questions
Burning smells are a priority. Because we are based in Haywards Heath, we can usually be with you within the hour, often sooner. If there is smoke or fire, call 999 first.
Often like fish or hot plastic. It is caused by the plastic around sockets, switches and cables starting to melt under heat. If you notice it, stop using the fitting and call us.
A socket supplying a heavy load like a heater can be slightly warm, but it should never be hot to the touch. A hot socket usually means a loose connection that will get worse.
If there is a burning smell and you can reach the main switch safely, switch it off. If there is smoke or fire, don't go near the fuse box: get out and call 999.
In most cases, yes. Our vans carry sockets, switches, connectors and cable to replace damaged parts on the first visit.
Other emergencies we deal with in Haywards Heath
Power Cuts & No Power
Lights out across the whole property, or just half of it? We find out whether the fault is yours or the network's, trace the cause with proper test equipment and get your power safely back on.
Read moreTripping Fuse Boxes
An RCD or breaker that won't stay on is telling you something is wrong.
Read moreSockets, Lights & Wiring
Dead sockets, lights that won't come on or keep flickering, a cable drilled through or water pouring into a light fitting.
Read moreNeed an emergency electrician in Haywards Heath?
Call any time, day or night. A local Haywards Heath electrician will answer, give you an honest arrival time and agree the price before any work starts.