components—such as wall outlets, light switches, circuit breaker panels, extension cords, and the insulation encasing electrical wiring—are manufactured using specialized plastics and polymers designed to be durable and heat-resistant.
Among these materials, compounds containing formaldehyde resins, polyurethanes, and specific types of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) are exceptionally common. When these components are subjected to abnormal electrical stress, such as excessive current flow, high resistance, or persistent micro-arcing, they begin to undergo a process known as thermal degradation.
Unlike a sudden, catastrophic short circuit that immediately trips a breaker and produces acrid,
