# Burning smell or hot power point: what to do right now 1. [Home](https://arlite.co/) 2. [Support](https://arlite.co/support/) 3. [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) 4. Burning smell or hot power point: what to do right now **Browse support** [Support home](https://arlite.co/support/) [Solar](https://arlite.co/support/solar/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/solar/) - [How does a solar power system work in a Brisbane home?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/how-does-a-solar-power-system-work-in-a-brisbane-home/) - [How do I turn off a solar inverter safely?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/turn-off-solar-inverter-safely/) - [Do solar panels work during a blackout?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/solar-during-power-outage/) - [Can I add a battery to my existing solar system?](https://arlite.co/support/solar/add-battery-to-existing-solar-system/) - [Hail or storm damage to solar panels: what to do](https://arlite.co/support/solar/hail-storm-damaged-solar-panels-what-to-do/) [Air conditioning](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/) - [Why is my air conditioner not cooling or heating properly?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-not-cooling-or-heating/) - [Why is my air conditioner leaking water inside?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-leaking-water-inside/) - [Why does my air conditioner smell musty or like dirty socks?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/air-conditioner-smells-musty-dirty-socks/) - [Can solar panels run my air conditioner at night?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/can-solar-panels-run-my-air-conditioner/) - [What should I ask before getting an air conditioner installed?](https://arlite.co/support/air-conditioning/questions-to-ask-before-air-conditioner-installation/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) - [Burning smell or hot power point: what to do right now](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/burning-smell-hot-power-point/) - [Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/circuit-breaker-keeps-tripping/) - [Why does my safety switch keep tripping?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/safety-switch-keeps-tripping/) - [Why is there no hot water? Electrical faults explained](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/no-hot-water-electrical-checks/) - [What smoke alarms does Queensland require?](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/queensland-smoke-alarm-requirements/) [Costs and finance](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/)[View all](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/) - [How does interest-free finance work for home energy upgrades?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/interest-free-finance-home-energy-upgrades/) - [What affects the cost of a home battery in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/what-affects-home-battery-cost-brisbane/) - [Can I get compensation for a power outage in Queensland?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/power-outage-compensation-energex/) - [How much does an electrician cost per hour in Brisbane?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/electrician-cost-brisbane/) - [What affects switchboard upgrade cost?](https://arlite.co/support/costs-and-finance/switchboard-upgrade-cost/) [Electrical](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/) For a burning smell, smoke, sparks or a hot power point, keep away; call 000 for fire or sparks and a licensed electrician urgently otherwise. By Aaron Midgley, Arlite Energy Last reviewed 30 October 2026 4 minute read **No DIY.** Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician. Never open, repair, test or modify electrical equipment yourself, even if it looks simple. This guide explains what is happening; it is not a how-to. **On this page** 1. Why is a burning smell or hot power point serious? 2. What can cause it? 3. What should I not do? 4. What to do, in order 5. Why does a licensed electrician need to fix it? 6. Is the smell coming from outside? 7. What will the electrician look for? 8. Frequently asked questions If you smell burning, see smoke or sparks, or a power point is hot to touch, stay away from it and keep others away. If there is smoke, fire or sparks, leave the building and call 000. Otherwise, stop using it and call a licensed electrician urgently. Do not wait to see if it settles. Do this now Leave the building and call 000 if you see smoke, flames or sparks. Take children and pets with you and do not go back inside. Never use water on an electrical fire. If there is no fire but you can smell burning or a power point is hot, discoloured or buzzing, keep everyone away from it and call a licensed electrician urgently. ## Why is a burning smell or hot power point serious? Heat in electrical wiring usually means electricity is meeting resistance somewhere it should not, such as a loose connection, an overloaded cable or damaged insulation. Heat can build up inside walls and fittings where you cannot see it, and it can start a fire. A faint smell or slightly warm fitting is still a warning. ## What can cause it? - A loose connection at a power point, switch, plug or switchboard. - Too much load on a cable, power board or double adaptor. - Damaged or ageing wiring or appliance cords. - A failing appliance, such as a heater, hot water system or dryer. The same applies to a burning smell from a hot water system, an appliance or the switchboard. Treat each as urgent. ## What should I not do? - Do not touch a hot, scorched or damaged power point, plug or cord. - Do not keep using the equipment because it seems to be working. - Do not throw water on an electrical fire. - Do not wait until the next day if the smell is strong or the fitting is getting hotter. ## What to do, in order 1. Keep away and keep others away — Move yourself, children and pets away from the smell or the hot fitting. Do not stand in water near electrical equipment. 2. Fire, smoke or sparks: leave and call 000 — Leave the building straight away, take everyone with you and call 000 from outside. 3. No fire: call a licensed electrician urgently — Tell them it is a burning smell or a hot fitting so they can prioritise it. Stay away from the area until they arrive. 4. Note what you saw, without touching — Write down where the smell or heat is, the time you noticed it and any marks or discolouration. Photograph it from a safe distance. ## Why does a licensed electrician need to fix it? Finding and repairing the source of heat means working on live wiring and connections. In Queensland, electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician, and the Electrical Safety Office Queensland is the regulator. Their emergency guidance is at [electricalsafety.qld.gov.au](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/what-do-electrical-emergency). A licensed electrician can find the source, repair any damage and check that nothing else on the circuit is affected. ## Is the smell coming from outside? If a burning smell appears alongside a street-wide outage, or you suspect the problem is on the network, contact your network provider’s faults line. If you are unsure, treat it as a household problem and call a licensed electrician. ## What will the electrician look for? A licensed electrician will look for signs of heat damage, loose or burnt connections, overloaded cables and failing fittings, and will check the rest of the circuit for similar problems. Where they find damage they will repair or replace the affected parts and explain what caused it. They can also advise whether a power board, adaptor or heavy appliance has been overloading the circuit, so it does not happen again. ## Frequently asked questions - A plug in use can be slightly warm, but a power point that is hot, discoloured or has a burning smell is not normal. Stop using it and call a licensed electrician. - It can still be a sign of a fault that will come back. Have a licensed electrician check it. - No. Leave the building and call 000. - It might be. Keep away from it and call a licensed electrician or the hot water system's maker, and call 000 if there is smoke or fire. - Call 000 for smoke, fire, sparks or injury. For a smell or a hot fitting with no fire, call a licensed electrician urgently. [Learn about Electrical](https://arlite.co/services/electrical/) ## Official guidance For the rules and safety information that apply to your home, go to the regulators and industry bodies directly. - [Electrical Safety Office Queensland](https://www.electricalsafety.qld.gov.au/) - [Energex](https://www.energex.com.au/) Was this helpful? Written by the team at Arlite Energy, a Brisbane business that designs and installs solar, air conditioning and electrical work for homes and businesses. We write these guides in plain English so you know what is happening in your home. ## Related articles - [ElectricalDo power points expire, and when should they be replaced?Power points have no fixed expiry date but they wear out; scorch marks, cracks, loose plugs or buzzing mean a licensed electrician should look at them.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/do-power-points-wear-out/) - [ElectricalI got a tingle or shock from a tap or appliance: what do I do?Stop using it, keep everyone away, get medical advice and call your network provider's faults line, then a licensed electrician; 000 if anyone is hurt.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/tingle-shock-from-tap-or-appliance/) - [ElectricalWhat do I do in an electrical emergency, fire or shock?For fire, smoke, sparks, a shock or anyone hurt, get everyone out and call 000, and do not touch the equipment or the person.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/electrical-emergency-what-to-do/) - [ElectricalWhy are my lights flickering? Causes and when it’s dangerousFlickering lights can come from the bulb, a dimmer, a loose connection or a street fault; crackling or a burning smell is an emergency.](https://arlite.co/support/electrical/why-are-my-lights-flickering/) ## Still stuck? Tell us what is going on and we can arrange a call-out. [Book a call-out](https://arlite.co/contact/) On this page 1. Why is a burning smell or hot power point serious? 2. What can cause it? 3. What should I not do? 4. What to do, in order 5. Why does a licensed electrician need to fix it? 6. Is the smell coming from outside? 7. What will the electrician look for? 8. Frequently asked questions --- **Arlite Energy**, Unit 1, 1468 Anzac Avenue, Kallangur QLD 4503. Phone [(07) 3062 9299](tel:+61730629299), email [info@arlite.co](mailto:info@arlite.co). Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm. 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