Burning Smell From a Socket or Plug: What It Can Mean
Noticed a smell of hot plastic near a socket, or a plug that feels hot when you pull it out? It is easy to hope it will go away. It is a warning sign worth acting on, and this guide explains what it can point to and what to do safely while you get it checked.
If there is a fire, get out, stay out and call 999.
Why a socket or plug smells or gets hot
A burning smell or heat at a socket usually means something is overheating. Electrical Safety First lists burn marks, plugs that feel hot to touch, melted plastic and discoloured casings or cables among the signs not to ignore. Fire and rescue services link hot plugs or sockets and scorch marks to loose wiring and other electrical problems.
Too much plugged in. Adaptors and extension leads have a limit, and plugging in appliances that together exceed it can overheat the lead.
A damaged plug, cable or appliance. Melted plastic or a discoloured casing or cable are signs of overheating.
A loose or damaged connection. In the plug, the socket or the wiring behind it.
From the outside, these can look the same. That is why it needs checking rather than guessing.
What to do straight away
Stop using that socket. Unplug the appliance if it is safe to do so.
Do not plug anything back in to a socket that is hot, scorched or smells of burning.
If there is an electrical fire, pull the plug out or switch off the power at the fuse box, but only if it is safe to do so. Never use water on it. Get out, stay out and call 999.
Do not open up the socket or plug. Leave the repair to an electrician.
This follows advice from Electrical Safety First and Humberside Fire and Rescue.
Is it the appliance or the socket?
If the heat or smell comes from one appliance’s plug or lead, Electrical Safety First’s advice is to unplug it and contact the retailer, the manufacturer or a qualified repair technician.
If the socket itself is hot, marked or discoloured, or the smell is there with nothing plugged in, the fault is likely to be in the socket or the wiring, and that is a job for an electrician. If you are not sure which it is, treat it as the socket and have it checked.
What happens when an electrician checks it
On a visit, Alex finds where the heat is coming from and puts it right, whether that is a connection, a socket or a section of cable. Fault finding and repairs explains how the cause is found. If it cannot wait until working hours, the emergency electrician page explains how an urgent call-out works.
Every review here is copied word for word from Checkatrade. You can read the full list on Checkatrade and Google.
A burnt out wire
“Alex fixed a burnt out wire in our bathroom, so helpful would highly recommended”
Checkatrade review, fixing burnt wires, RH6
A faulty socket
“Thanks, responded quickly, and was able to sort out our electrical issue.”
Checkatrade review, changed faulty socket, CR5
A socket and a circuit breaker
“Provided a very efficient service. All issues were well investigated, Alex was very polite and friendly. Would definitely recommend”
Checkatrade review, plug socket fixed and new circuit breaker
Common questions
Can i keep using the socket if the smell has gone?
No. Stop using it until it has been checked. A smell that has gone does not mean the cause has gone.
Could an extension lead be the cause?
It can be. Electrical Safety First says most extension leads are rated at 13A, but some older ones and many cable reels are rated at 10A or less, and appliances that together exceed the rating should not be plugged into one lead.
Is this an emergency?
If there is a fire, get out, stay out and call 999. If the socket is hot, scorched or sparking but there is no fire, stop using it and get it checked urgently. The emergency electrician page explains out-of-hours call-outs.
Should i replace the socket myself?
No. Leave the socket and the wiring behind it to an electrician, so the cause is found as well as the damage.
What should i send?
A photo of the socket and the plug, and a note of what you noticed and when.
Smelt burning at a socket?
Stop using it, then send a photo of the socket and plug on WhatsApp with a note of what you noticed, or call. It is the same process whichever of the electrical services available you need.