Electricity is absolutely necessary for modern life. Even if you don’t own a reliable electric vehicle, you probably use electricity to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. However, even though we have learned to channel the power of electricity, we cannot control it exactly. Even the smallest fault can cause electricity to run out of control, often resulting in a distinctive odor. But is it electricity you feel, or something else?
If you’ve ever had an electrical problem in your home – or simply unplugged an appliance and saw a spark in the process – you’ve probably noticed a strong metallic smell. Many people associate this smell with electricity, however, it is not the smell of electricity since, well, electricity has no smell. This is not possible because electricity is pure energy. Our sense of smell comes from molecules that stimulate countless nerve cells in our noses, and electricity does not have the physical capacity to produce these molecules. However, electricity can interact with the environment in ways that produce odors.
Every time electricity passes through an object, it produces a certain amount of heat. This is why power banks can get hot while in use (and why you should never leave these electronic devices plugged in overnight). When you “feel” the electricity, you are actually feeling the aftereffects of these heated objects. For example, the metallic smell mentioned above is that of ozone, but it is associated with electrical sparks because the discharge splits oxygen molecules (O2) into elemental oxygen (O), which quickly binds with whole oxygen to produce ozone (O3). However, this is only one potential olfactory outcome; If electricity heats frayed or faulty wiring, you will smell burning material.
Where there is ozone, there is danger
It goes without saying that if an electrical appliance smells burnt, you should stop using it. Plug-in gadgets like the Ting sensor can stop electrical fires before they start, but common sense is just as effective — and it doesn’t cost $99. However, the frequent smell of ozone is as much a warning sign as the smell of burning plastic.
When an electrical appliance operates as intended, it does not produce an ozone odor because it is a closed system. The electricity does not escape and thus ionizes the ambient air to create ozone. If you frequently smell ozone and constantly unplug your unit and see sparks (which is a problem in itself), this could be a sign that the insulation or connections are poor or even damaged, causing frequent arcing. The ozone smell may also be accompanied by a burning smell since constant electricity also burns wiring.
Although oxygen is necessary for life, too much of it (i.e. ozone) is downright toxic. Inhaling small amounts of ozone can cause chest pain and coughing, as well as worsen existing breathing problems such as asthma. You will likely recover from these conditions if you keep your exposure to a minimum, but high levels of frequent exposure to ozone, for example from faulty electrical appliances, will make problems worse and can even damage your lungs. At most, you should limit your electricity-smelling activities to one or two quick whiffs outside after a storm; Living with the “smell” of electricity is a dangerous health risk.
