Power point burnt, melted, or smells hot
A GPO is discoloured, melted, or gives off a burning smell — a serious fire-risk fault from arcing/overheating at the outlet, usually from a poor plug fit or overload.
Safety first
This is a fire risk — stop using the outlet immediately. Isolate the circuit, prove dead, and don't re-energise until it's repaired and the cause found. Burnt terminals can be brittle.
Isolate, lock out / tag out, and prove dead before working unless a live test is specifically required, authorised, and carried out under proper supervision. Always follow local regulations, your site procedures, and the equipment manufacturer's documentation.
Full detail — causes, the why, and common mistakes.
Likely causes
Ranked from most to least likely.
- 1
Loose terminal / poor connection arcing
Most likelyA loose conductor at the outlet arcs and overheats, melting and scorching the GPO — the most common cause.
- 2
Sustained overload from a high-draw appliance
#2A heater, dryer, or similar drawing near the limit (especially via a worn socket) overheats the outlet.
- 3
Worn socket / poor plug fit
#3A loose-fitting plug arcs at the contacts, building heat.
- 4
Daisy-chained loads / double adaptors
Least likelyPiggybacked high loads overload the outlet.
Reports are saved on this device to reflect what you actually find.
Testing sequence
Work through one test at a time. Expected reading and what each result means.
Stop using it, isolate the circuit, prove dead, and remove the damaged outlet to inspect.
A clear view of the damaged terminals/contacts.
Inspect for the cause (loose terminal, burnt contacts).
If the damage extends to the cable, more rectification is needed.
View all expected readings at once
Fault-finding flowchart
The same logic as a decision tree.
- 1start
GPO burnt/melted
→ step 2 - 2decision
After isolating, are the conductors sound (not heat-damaged)?
Yes→ step 3No→ step 4 - 3decision
Is the cause clear (loose terminal / overload / poor plug fit)?
Yes→ step 5No→ step 6 - 4result
Cut back to sound copper and remake before fitting a new outlet.
- 5result
Rectify cause + replace outlet; advise on loading/plug fit.
- 6result
Cause unclear / recurring — review the loading and circuit.
Common mistakes apprentices make
- Just swapping the GPO without finding why it burnt.
- Reconnecting heat-damaged conductors instead of cutting back to sound copper.
- Ignoring the appliance/loading that caused the overload.
- Continuing to use a scorched outlet.
When to stop & escalate
This is licensed electrical work and a fire-safety priority — repair promptly, find the cause, and rectify any damaged cabling. Recurring overheating points to a loading or circuit issue to assess.
If you're past your competence, authorisation, or the safe limits of the job — stop and hand it on. There's no fault worth getting hurt over.
Related faults
Loose connection overheating (discolouration / smell)
A terminal or connection is overheating — discoloured insulation, a burning smell, or heat you can feel — a common cause of nuisance faults and a real fire risk.
Power point (GPO) completely dead
Nothing plugged into a power point works, while other outlets are fine. A classic trace-it-back fault on a single GPO or the run feeding it.
Safety switch (RCD) keeps tripping at the switchboard
The safety switch trips repeatedly — instantly on reset, randomly, or when certain appliances run. It's detecting earth leakage somewhere; the job is to find where.