Electrical Burning smells – What causes them?

Electricity is something we use day-in and day-out and rarely give it a second thought.  In fact we rarely ever rethink about the condition of the electrical installations and fixtures until the time they start acting up in some way or the other. There are times when some faults crop up in the switches in your home and you hear crackling/popping/hissing sounds coming from them, when you either switch them off or on.   This indicates a fault in the switch and it’s important you call in an electrician to replace it, as soon as possible.

This sound that you hear is called arcing and indicates that the contacts within the switch have worn down and the problem will only worsen over time. The contact spot continues to get worn down and results in a buildup of resistance and heat. In most instances, arcing is also accompanied by distinct burning smells. When the contact points in the switch get heated up, the plastic parts in it start melting and this causes the burning smells.

Other indicators

Switches are a very high use component of the electrical system and every time they are either switched off or on, they get a little worn down. Over time, this issue only gets compounded and they are unable to form a strong contact point. In addition to the burning smells, the other signs of problems you should look out for are:

• When the lights are on, if you find them flickering, that could be an indication of weakening of  the switches
• The arcing sound will be prominent even when the lights are switched on
• The switch may have a wiggle in it  and it doesn’t have the firmness it ideally should have

It’s important to keep in view the fact that at times different issues have the same symptoms. For instance, if a particular switch is broken, you might notice similar signs. Crackling sounds can be heard even if the wiring is loose at the screw terminal. However, if you do pick up some burning smells every time you turn on a particular switch, it’s time to get that checked out without delay.  It’s never a good idea to ignore electrical issues as that can only lead to more problems and significant expenses down the line.

Never attempt DIY electrical repairs

While some people do try to handle electrical tasks on their own, this is never recommended. Electricity is no child’s play, and electrical repairs, replacements and installations should always be handled by a licensed and insured Emergency Electrician in Sydney . For any electrical services including dealing with switch faults, the number to call is 1300 725 894.

Quick Connect Electrical provides 24 Hour Electrician in Sydney services and caters to commercial and residential customers. If you have any queries about our services, feel free to connect with our Sydney Electrician through this Contact Us form and we will respond shortly.  When you call us for any type of electrical service, you are assured of a quick response and excellent services.

Emergency Electrician Sydney – Electrcial Faults

• Blown Fuse
• Melted Wires
• Short Circuiting
• Electrical Fires
• Electrical Faults
• No Power
• Arching (Cracking Sound)
• Burning Smells
• Switchboard Upgrades

If you are experiencing any of these problems above then call our emergency electrician team in Sydney on 1300 725 894 or click on the link above or click here to read our blogs