Electrical outlet smells like fish?
An electrical outlet smells like fish because excess heat is causing the outlet to melt giving off a distinctive fishy smell. This fishy smell comes from the ammonia-like compounds that get released from the burning of the outlet or insulation around the electrical wires.
This post will go into more detail why your electrical outlet smells like fish including causes and what it might mean about your home electrical system.
Emergency?
If you can see smoke, hear hissing or cracking, or find that the smell is getting stronger – don’t hesitate.
There might be a potential fire about to occur. In this case you should contact the fire service as soon as possible.
Fire services will typically turn off your main switch in the event of a fire. The main switch is located in your electrical switchboard and by turning it off, you should be able to isolate the electrical fault which is causing the fire.
Not An Emergency?
For most modern homes, when an electrical outlet smells like fish (indicating an electrical fault) a circuit breaker or fuse would have blown, disconnecting the electrical supply to the outlet.
The job of circuit breakers is to stop fires and electric shocks, which if they are working correctly will do.
If the outlet doesn’t work, then a circuit breaker tripping is most likely what has happened.
Don’t go and reset the breaker. It is important to work out why the electrical outlet smells like fish so you can best remedy the situation.
Electrical Outlet Smells Like Fish – Reason #1
Check Appliances Plugged Into Outlet
Have you had any appliances plugged into this electrical outlet? . This could be any appliance. It would be a good idea to refresh your memory to find out exactly what was plugged in to that outlet.
The reason for this is that often appliances draw more current that the electrical outlet is designed for. This can be because the appliance is faulty or a range of other reasons. When an appliance draws more current than the appliance is designed for, the outlet begins to heat up, often to the point where it melts.
This melting is what gives the distinctive fishy smells.
Electrical Outlet Smells Like Fish – Reason #2
Electrical Outlet Wear And Tear
If there weren’t any appliances plugged in, the problem may be caused by simple wear and tear of the outlet. Over time, electrical outlets eventually wear down and fail. Wires can become loose. When this happens the phase can come in contact with the neutral causing a short circuit. A short circuit generates a lot of heat with the potential to melt the plastic around the outlet and wire insulation.
Electrical Outlet Smells Like Fish – Reason #3
Wrong Circuit Breaker
If an electrical outlet smells like fish but still works, it might be a sign that the incorrect circuit breaker has been used. Normally, a circuit breaker will disconnect the electricity to the circuit in the event of an electrical fault. If the outlet still works, it is possible that the circuit breaker is rated at too high an amperage or is faulty.
Next Steps
Electrical outlet smells like fish? Firstly, identify if you can see smoke or hear hissing or cracking. If so, it is likely a fire emergency which should be contacted immediately to prevent a house fire.
If not, it’s likely a faulty or ‘hungry’ appliance has burnt out the outlet.
If no appliances have been used, it might be caused by the electrical outlets wear and tear over time. Other potential causes are an incorrect or faulty circuit breaker.
In most cases, fixing the problem will involve checking that the circuit is correctly rated and replacing the damaged electrical outlet.