Should I turn off power if I smell something burning?

Yes, absolutely turn off the power immediately if you smell something burning. This could indicate dangerous electrical arcing, overheating wires, or equipment failure that poses a serious fire risk.

Immediate steps to take:

First, try to locate the source of the burning smell. If it's coming from a specific outlet, appliance, or electrical panel, shut off the circuit breaker for that area immediately. If you can't pinpoint the source or if the smell is strong and coming from your electrical panel, shut off the main breaker to cut power to your entire home.

After cutting the power, unplug any appliances or devices that were running when you first noticed the smell. Don't use any electrical equipment until you've identified and resolved the source. If the burning smell is very strong, consider leaving your home and calling 911 - electrical fires can spread rapidly and produce toxic smoke.

What causes electrical burning smells:

Burning smells typically indicate overheating electrical components. This could be loose wire connections creating arcing, overloaded circuits, failing breakers, or deteriorating wire insulation. Older homes with knob and tube wiring or aluminum wiring are particularly susceptible to these issues. Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels are notorious for overheating breakers that can cause burning smells and fires.

ESA requirements and safety:

Under the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, any electrical work to diagnose and repair burning smell issues must be performed by an ESA-licensed electrician. This isn't a DIY situation - electrical fires cause hundreds of house fires annually in Ontario. Your insurance company will also require professional diagnosis and repair documentation.

Next steps:

Once you've secured the area, contact a licensed electrician immediately for emergency diagnosis. Don't restore power until the issue has been professionally identified and repaired. If you're experiencing this issue in Ottawa, Electrical Ottawa offers 24/7 emergency electrical service to quickly diagnose and resolve dangerous electrical problems.

Remember: electrical burning smells are never normal and always require immediate professional attention. It's better to lose power temporarily than risk a house fire.