Finding source of a faint electric burning smell

[ComputerRepairTech]

So lets say you got a bunch of computer equipment, ups power backups, network equipment etc in a room. You can't smell anything wrong, you cant smell anything from the equipment when you put your nose near each item, but if you leave the ceiling fan off for hours then turn it back on you smell the odor being blown down. You cant turn most of the stuff off since its running important processes.

How would you find the source?

Edit: Odor happens even with lights off on the ceiling fan

 

[nlinecomputers]

So lets say you got a bunch of computer equipment, ups power backups, network equipment etc in a room. You can't smell anything wrong, you cant smell anything from the equipment when you put your nose near each item, but if you leave the ceiling fan off for hours then turn it back on you smell the odor being blown down. You cant turn most of the stuff off since its running important processes.

How would you find the source?

Edit: Odor happens even with lights off on the ceiling fan

So the fan is running but the lights are off? Bad fan.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

So the fan is running but the lights are off? Bad fan.

i mean if I leave the lights off and just turn on the ceiling fan I still smell it, i guess its possible could be something with the fan motor, ill get a little ladder and a portable fan and blow the air down on me to double check.

 

[nlinecomputers]

i mean if I leave the lights off and just turn on the ceiling fan I still smell it, i guess its possible could be something with the fan motor, ill get a little ladder and a portable fan and blow the air down on me to double check.

Exactly. It sounds like the windings in the fan motor are burning out. A common problem.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

Exactly. It sounds like the windings in the fan motor are burning out. A common problem.

I didnt have luck diagnosing it yesterday, didnt get the smell turning on the fan or getting up there with a ladder and blowing the warmer air on me. Just to confirm if its the windings in the fan motor I would only smell it for a little while after turning on the ceiling fan and not after it runs for a while? It would certainly explain why I can't isolate the odor, I been sniffing around like a blood hound xD.

 

[Markverhyden]

How small is this room? Did this start happening out of the blue? Is this a new customer? What's the typical temp in the room? I'd start with laying on of hands so to speak. Physically touching in as many places as possible. No surface should be too hot to touch.

 

[Larry Sabo]

Aluminum wiring?

 

[Alexey]

Touching everything to see what's hot is OK, but if you can get an infrared camera, that may be helpful.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

still working on it, for some reason it hasnt happened again but I really appreciate the ideas.

 

[Larry Sabo]

A couple of more thoughts: GFI/FGCI devices and overloaded power bars and electrical cords can overheat. Do they have a smoke detector in that area? If not, might be worth adding one, just for peace of mind.