Electrical question- could my hairdryer ruin an outlet?

I got a new really powerful hairdryer about a month ago and yesterday I blew a fuse which I have never done since we have lived here (a little over a year). When it blew there was a slight burning smell and now the hairdryer and nothing else works in the outlet. it's one with the reset/test button.

What's wrong with it? Do I need an electrician? Can you rec one in Nassau??

Thanks,
Christine

Re: Electrical question- could my hairdryer ruin an outlet?

If you smelled smoke you need to have it checked by an electrician.

The wires could have melted. It happened to a co-worker and the fire department told her she was lucky.

We use Rich Moritz from RJM Electric, 516-798-7129. He has done several "small" jobs in our house. We really like him. He does a good job and is very reasonable.

Re: Electrical question- could my hairdryer ruin an outlet?

Hair dryers use a LOT of power. If anything, they would be the thing to cause damage. A burnt smell is bad. Like AP mentioned, you need to call an electrician to see what happened. A blown circuit doesn't smell, it just pops the circuit. Sounds like you have a GFCI outlet. Did you pop the circuit at the outlet, or at the main panel? Either way, I would get it looked at.

Re: Electrical question- could my hairdryer ruin an outlet?

Thanks - I left the message for the Electrician.