What to Do Immediately If Your Switchboard Smells Like Burning

Do not open the switchboard cover to investigate. Do not touch any components inside. Here is what to do, step by step.

Step 1: Turn Off the Main Switch

Your switchboard will have a main switch at the top. It is usually the largest switch and is often labelled “Main” or “Main Switch.” Flick it to the off position. This cuts power to the entire house and stops current flowing through whatever is overheating. You should be able to do this without opening the switchboard cover on most modern boards. If your board is very old and the main switch is inside behind a cover, and you can see visible signs of fire, scorching, or smoke, do not touch it. Move to step 2.

Step 2: Do Not Touch Anything Else in the Switchboard

Resist the urge to poke around. If there is a loose connection arcing or a component melting, touching the wrong thing could result in electric shock or make the situation worse. Switchboard components can remain energised even with the main switch off if the fault is on the supply side between the meter and the main switch.

Step 3: If You See Smoke or Flames, Evacuate and Call 000

If there is visible smoke coming from the switchboard, any sign of flame, or the smell is very strong and acrid, get everyone out of the house and call 000 for the fire brigade. Do not try to fight an electrical fire with water. If you have a dry chemical or CO2 fire extinguisher rated for electrical fires and you can safely use it, you can attempt to contain a small fire. But the safe option is always to evacuate and let the professionals handle it.

Step 4: Call an Emergency Electrician

Once the immediate danger is managed, call a licensed electrician for an emergency attendance. At Carlin Co, we take switchboard emergencies seriously. A burning switchboard is at the top of our priority list because we understand what can happen if it is left. Call us on 0432 632 346 and let us know what you are experiencing. We will get to you as quickly as we can.

What Causes a Burning Smell From Your Switchboard?

There are several things that can cause your switchboard to overheat and produce a burning smell. Some are more common in older Melbourne homes, but even relatively modern switchboards can develop issues if they were not installed properly or have not been maintained.

Loose Electrical Connections

This is the most common cause we see, and it is also one of the most dangerous. Every wire in your switchboard is connected to a terminal, either on a circuit breaker, a neutral bar, or the main switch. Over time, these connections can loosen due to thermal cycling. As your home draws power, components heat up slightly, then cool down when the load drops. This repeated expansion and contraction can gradually loosen terminal screws over years.

A loose connection creates resistance, and resistance creates heat. The hotter it gets, the more the connection degrades, which creates more resistance, which creates more heat. It is a vicious cycle that can eventually lead to a connection arcing, melting the plastic housing of a circuit breaker, or igniting nearby insulation. The burning smell you notice is usually melting plastic or overheated insulation on the wiring.

We see this a lot in switchboards that were installed during building booms and may not have had the most careful workmanship. A connection that was just slightly under torqued 20 years ago can become a serious problem today.

Overloaded Circuits and Switchboard

When a circuit carries more current than it was designed for over an extended period, the wiring and components heat up. If a circuit breaker is not tripping when it should, perhaps because it is faulty or the wrong rating was installed, the overload continues unchecked and the heat builds up. This can cause wiring insulation to deteriorate, connections to overheat, and eventually produce that telltale burning smell.

This problem is particularly common in Melbourne homes that have had additions, renovations, or extra appliances added over the years without the switchboard being upgraded to match. A switchboard that was adequate for a 3 bedroom home in 1985 may be seriously undersized for the same home in 2025 with a home office, ducted air conditioning, an EV charger, and a full suite of modern kitchen appliances.

Corroded Wiring and Connections

Corrosion on wiring and terminal connections increases resistance, which increases heat. Switchboards in damp locations, near laundries, in garages, or on external walls can be exposed to moisture that accelerates corrosion. Some older switchboards in Melbourne’s bayside suburbs like Williamstown, Elwood, and Brighton can be affected by the salt laden air that accelerates corrosion on metal components.

We have opened switchboards in homes close to the bay where the neutral bar and earth bar have a visible layer of green corrosion. This is a fire risk, and it is a strong argument for having your switchboard inspected regularly, especially if your home is within a few kilometres of the coast.

Old Ceramic Fuses Overheating

If your home still has an old switchboard with ceramic or porcelain rewirable fuses, you are at higher risk. These fuse holders can crack, the fuse wire can be replaced with the wrong rating (a disturbingly common thing we find), and the connections to the fuse base can corrode and loosen over decades. An overheating ceramic fuse can reach temperatures high enough to discolour, crack, and even ignite the old wooden switchboard backing that many of these boards are mounted on.

Wooden backed switchboards with ceramic fuses are a significant fire risk, and we strongly recommend upgrading them. Melbourne has tens of thousands of homes, particularly in suburbs like Fairfield, Thornbury, Northcote, Hawthorn, and Camberwell, that still have these boards. If this sounds like your home, do not wait for a burning smell to be your prompt to act.

Faulty Circuit Breakers

Circuit breakers themselves can fail. Internal contacts can wear, springs can weaken, and the thermal element that detects overload can drift out of calibration. A faulty circuit breaker might not trip when it should, allowing excessive current to flow and generating heat. In some cases, the circuit breaker itself becomes the source of the overheating, with internal arcing or contact failure causing the device to heat up to the point where you can smell it.

Water Damage to the Switchboard

Water getting into a switchboard is extremely dangerous. It can cause short circuits, corrosion, and tracking (where electrical current follows a path along a wet or contaminated surface). We have attended emergency callouts in Melbourne where a roof leak has dripped water directly onto a switchboard, or condensation has built up inside the enclosure. The combination of water and energised electrical components can produce arcing, burning, and a very dangerous situation.

Why a Burning Switchboard Is So Dangerous

Your switchboard is the point where all the electrical circuits in your home originate. It has a high concentration of wiring, connections, and components carrying significant amounts of electrical current. A fire that starts in a switchboard can spread quickly because it has access to wiring that runs through the walls, ceiling, and floor of your entire home. By the time you notice smoke or flames, the fire may have already spread through cable routes to other parts of the house.

Electrical fires are also particularly difficult to fight because they can smoulder inside wall cavities where they are not visible. The fire brigade often has to use thermal imaging cameras to locate and extinguish fire that has tracked along wiring inside walls. This is why the smell should never be ignored, even if it is faint. Early detection and response can prevent a catastrophic outcome.

What Carlin Co Does on an Emergency Switchboard Callout

When we attend an emergency switchboard callout, our priority is making the situation safe. Here is what a typical emergency attendance looks like.

First, we assess the situation and ensure the power is safely isolated. We will check that the main switch is off and confirm there is no ongoing fire risk. Then we carefully open the switchboard and perform a visual inspection, looking for signs of overheating such as discoloured or melted components, scorched wiring, burnt connections, and damaged insulation.

We will use a thermal imaging camera if needed to identify hot spots that may not be visible to the naked eye. Once we have identified the cause, we will explain what has happened and what needs to be done to make it safe. In some cases, we can carry out a repair on the spot, such as replacing a faulty circuit breaker or re making a loose connection. In more serious cases, particularly where there is widespread damage or the board is very old, a full switchboard replacement may be the safest option.

We carry a range of common switchboard components on our vans so we can often resolve issues on the first visit rather than leaving you without power while we source parts. If a full switchboard replacement is needed, we will arrange it as quickly as possible and can usually complete the work within a day or two.

What Our Customers Say About Our Emergency Response

When your switchboard is smoking, you want an electrician who turns up fast, knows what they are doing, and communicates clearly. Here is what some of our recent customers have said.

B: “I’ve had a wonderful experience with Carlin Co Electrical. I urgently needed a new switchboard and an upgraded power point and Hamish was so easy to deal with and provided a quote very quickly. He was very accommodating and booked the job right away.”

Daniel Stanford: “Was in need of some urgent electrical work, which Hamish provided to a very high standard. Very professional.”

Peter Kennedy: “Fantastic and prompt service. The team at Carlin Co electrical were super professional and went above and beyond to fix our house electrical issues.”

Preventing Switchboard Problems Before They Become Emergencies

The best way to avoid a switchboard emergency is to be proactive. Here are a few things you can do.

• Get your switchboard inspected. If your switchboard is more than 20 years old, or if you have never had it checked, book an inspection. We can check connections, test safety switches, and identify any early warning signs before they become dangerous.
• Test your safety switches quarterly. Press the test button on each RCD every three months. If it does not trip, call an electrician.
• Upgrade old switchboards. If you still have ceramic fuses, rewirable fuses, or a wooden backed board, upgrading to a modern switchboard with RCDs and circuit breakers is one of the best safety investments you can make for your home.
• Do not overload circuits. If you are constantly running extension leads and double adaptors, you probably need additional circuits installed.
• Use licensed electricians for all work. In Victoria, all electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrician who holds a current registration. Unlicensed work is a leading cause of switchboard faults and fires.

Our Melbourne Service Area for Emergency Callouts

We attend emergency callouts across Melbourne’s inner and surrounding suburbs. If you have a burning smell from your switchboard and you are in any of these areas, call us immediately.

Melbourne CBD and Inner City

Melbourne 3000, Docklands 3008, Southbank 3006, West Melbourne 3003, North Melbourne 3051

Inner North

Carlton 3053, Fitzroy 3065, Collingwood 3066, Brunswick 3056, Northcote 3070, Thornbury 3071, Fairfield 3078, Clifton Hill 3068, Abbotsford 3067, Richmond 3121

Inner South

South Yarra 3141, Toorak 3142, Prahran 3181, Windsor 3181, St Kilda 3182, Elwood 3184, Brighton 3186, Albert Park 3206, Port Melbourne 3207, Middle Park 3206, Caulfield 3162, Malvern 3144, Armadale 3143, South Melbourne 3205

Inner East

Kew 3101, Hawthorn 3122, Camberwell 3124, Balwyn 3103, Surrey Hills 3127, Glen Iris 3146, Canterbury 3126, Kooyong 3144

Inner West

Footscray 3011, Yarraville 3013, Williamstown 3016, Newport 3015, Seddon 3011, Spotswood 3015, Kingsville 3012

Bayside

Brighton 3186, Hampton 3188, Sandringham 3191, Bentleigh 3204, Moorabbin 3189, Cheltenham 3192

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a burning smell from my switchboard an emergency?

Yes. A burning smell from your switchboard means something is overheating, and overheating electrical components can start a fire. Turn off your main switch immediately and call a licensed electrician. If you see smoke or flames, evacuate your home and call 000. Do not attempt to investigate or repair the switchboard yourself.

What does an electrical burning smell actually smell like?

An electrical burning smell is often described as a sharp, acrid smell similar to burning plastic or melting rubber. It is quite distinct from the smell of burning food or wood. Some people describe it as a “hot” or “chemical” smell. If you notice any unusual smell near your switchboard or power points, take it seriously. Even a faint smell can indicate the early stages of a problem that could escalate.

Can a burning switchboard cause a house fire?

Yes, absolutely. Electrical faults are one of the leading causes of house fires in Australia. A switchboard that is overheating due to loose connections, faulty components, or overloaded circuits can ignite surrounding materials. Because wiring runs through wall cavities, a fire that starts at the switchboard can spread through the house via cable routes before it becomes visible. This is why any burning smell from a switchboard should be treated as an emergency.

How often should I have my switchboard inspected?

We recommend having your switchboard inspected every 5 years for homes less than 25 years old, and every 2 to 3 years for older homes. If your switchboard has ceramic fuses, a wooden backing, or is more than 30 years old, it should be inspected sooner rather than later. Regular inspections allow us to check connection tightness, test safety switches, identify corrosion, and catch problems before they become emergencies.

My switchboard has ceramic fuses. Is it dangerous?

A ceramic fuse switchboard is not immediately dangerous just because it is old, but it does lack the safety features of a modern switchboard. Old fuse boards typically do not have safety switches (RCDs), which protect against electric shock. The fuse holders can crack, connections can corrode, and the fuse wire can be replaced with incorrect ratings. Many of these boards are mounted on wooden backings which add a fire risk. We strongly recommend upgrading ceramic fuse boards to modern switchboards with circuit breakers and safety switches.

Will I need a new switchboard if mine smells like burning?

It depends on the cause and extent of the damage. If the burning smell is from a single loose connection or a faulty circuit breaker, we can often repair or replace the affected component without replacing the entire board. However, if there is widespread damage, multiple overheated connections, melted components, or if the switchboard is very old and in poor condition, a full replacement is usually the safest and most cost effective option. We will always explain the options and give you a clear recommendation based on what we find.

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Switchboard and Meter Box Services

A burning smell from your switchboard usually means it is time for a full replacement. We provide meter box upgrades and switchboard replacements to bring your electrical system up to current safety standards. Our general electrician team can respond to urgent switchboard issues across Melbourne.