Light smells of fish

FairyPrincessk

We've been living elsewhere for three weeks while work was being done on our house. We stored a lot of our belongings in a bedroom with the door shut and upon return there was a very strange smell. It took me awhile to work it out as I thought there could be something in the room, but I'm fairly certain the problem is the light on the ceiling as it dissipates when the light is off and gets stronger the longer the light is switched on.

The smell is fairly unpleasant--like something going off. It was only when my OH said it smelled like a fishoil capsule that it reminded me that I had a similar smell once and it was an electrical issue. This is the first time I've noticed it in this house, and I understand that this can be a sign of an electrical problem--does this sound like it is? If so, is there anything I can do to make the light safe until my landlady can have someone take a look at it? I haven't turned it on since I worked out what the problem was, but I'm worried there could be a risk of fire until it is sorted.

Mr_Ted

Its the smell of plastic overheating, check the light fitting and the connections?

Turn the power off though so its dead!

FairyPrincessk

Do I need to turn the power off at the switch box, or is it sufficient to turn the light switch off? Sorry, I'm not very knowledgeable on this.

I've had a look at the fixture and it looks ok, I removed the bulb and that it definitely is where the smell is from.

Dukesy

Always, always, always turn off at the fusebox if you're touching any of the electrics. To be on the super safe side, pull the main breaker in case you're uncertain you have the right fuse.

FairyPrincessk

Thanks! I turned it off when I looked at it, I'm just not sure if I need to leave the switch off until I get it looked at. I'm sure it will be at least Monday, and I think all of the overhead lights in the house are on the same switch so it will be a bit annoying to have it off all weekend, but if it will be safe that way, then I will definitely do so.

Leif

Just leave the light off, but the power on. When you come to look at it, turn the power off at the consumer unit (fuse box).

FairyPrincessk

Thanks all. I'll get someone qualified to look into it and in the mean time the light will stay off.

randomnut

Haha, the subject of this gave me a right giggle on a saturday night

As said, the smell of fish can be plastic heating up.

If you smell burnt hair, it is electrical burn.

Get somebody qualified to have a look and rectify if you are not confident, it should be a quick/cheap job.

Electrics is not a job you want to bodge yourself if you are not confident.