Warm wiring is a serious warning sign — caused by overloading, a loose connection, or undersized cable. It must be investigated by an electrician immediately.
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If you notice that cables feel warm, switch plates feel hot, or you can smell a faint burning smell near sockets or the fuse box, take this seriously. Warm wiring indicates that more electricity is flowing through it than the cable is designed to handle, or that there is a loose connection creating resistance and heat. This is a fire risk. Common causes: too many appliances plugged into one circuit (overloading), a loose connection at a socket or junction box that creates a high-resistance joint, or a cable that was installed too close to insulation (cables in insulated walls can overheat even at normal loads). Switch off the affected circuit and call an electrician. Do not ignore warm wiring — cable insulation begins to break down at sustained temperatures above 70°C and this can start a fire inside walls.