The answer to 'why is my surge protector burning smell' is that the surge protector may be overloaded or damaged, causing it to overheat and emit a burning smell. This is a clear sign that the surge protector is no longer functioning properly and needs to be replaced.
Surge protectors are designed to protect your electronics from power surges, but they can only handle a certain amount of power before they become overwhelmed. If you have too many devices plugged into the surge protector, it can cause the internal components to overheat and potentially catch fire. Additionally, if the surge protector has been damaged by a power surge or lightning strike, it may no longer be able to properly regulate the flow of electricity, leading to overheating and a burning smell.