Burning Smell or Sparking Outlet

Signs it's more than a fluke

• A fishy or burnt-plastic smell near outlet or panel
• Scorch marks, or a melted cover plate
• Sparks bigger than a small blue flash at the plug
• Crackling from inside a wall

What we do when we get there

1. Shut off that circuit's breaker and leave it off
2. Call us and describe what you see
3. Open the box, find the arc, check the wire behind it
4. Replace damaged device and wire, then check the circuit

What moves the price

• One device, or wiring inside the walls
• Access: attic, crawlspace, or drywall to open and patch
• Age and type of your wiring and panel
• Whether a permit is required
• Parts: same-for-same, or upgraded to current code

Permits for repair work

Like-for-like repairs usually skip permits. Panel swaps, new circuits and inspection fixes usually need one.

Parts and brands we work with

Brand names and logos are trademarks of their owners and are shown to identify the equipment we install and service. Chief Electric is an independent contractor and is not affiliated with these manufacturers.

The offer for this service

Repair questions we hear a lot