Why is there a burning smell coming from my electrical panel?

A burning smell from your electrical panel is a serious electrical emergency that requires immediate action. This typically indicates overheating components, arcing, or electrical connections breaking down - all of which can lead to electrical fires.

Immediate steps you should take right now: Turn off your main breaker if you can safely access it, avoid touching the panel if it feels hot, and evacuate your home if the smell is strong or getting worse. Call a licensed electrician immediately - this is not something to wait on or investigate yourself.

Common causes of burning smells from electrical panels include loose wire connections that create resistance and heat, overloaded circuits drawing more current than they're designed for, or failing breakers that can't properly interrupt electrical flow. In Ottawa, we frequently see this issue with older Federal Pacific and Zinsco panels, which are known fire hazards due to their breakers failing to trip properly. These panels should be replaced immediately regardless of age.

Why this happens and the dangers involved: When electrical connections become loose, they create resistance that generates heat. Over time, this heat can melt wire insulation, carbonize connections, and ignite surrounding materials. The burning smell you're detecting is likely melting plastic insulation or carbonizing electrical components. In Ontario's older homes, we also see this with aluminum wiring connections that weren't properly maintained, as aluminum expands and contracts more than copper, leading to loose connections over time.

ESA requirements and safety considerations: Under the Ontario Electrical Safety Code, any electrical work on panels requires proper permits and ESA inspection. However, in emergency situations like this, safety comes first. A licensed electrician can assess whether this is an immediate fire hazard requiring emergency service or if it can wait until morning. Never ignore burning electrical smells - they're often the only warning you get before an electrical fire starts.

What happens next: Once you've secured the immediate safety situation, a licensed electrician will need to inspect your panel to identify the source of the burning smell. This might involve thermal imaging to detect hot spots, checking all connections, and testing breakers. Depending on what's found, you may need anything from tightening connections ($200-400) to a complete panel replacement ($2,000-4,000 for a typical 200A upgrade in Ottawa).

For immediate emergency electrical service in Ottawa, contact Electrical Ottawa's 24/7 emergency line. Don't wait until morning if the smell persists or worsens - electrical fires can develop rapidly and without warning.

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Electrical Ottawa connects you with vetted, ESA-licensed electricians from the Ottawa Construction Network:Ottawa Electrical Contractors:

• Mike Fuller Electric
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