PA-28 Cherokee/Archer/Dakota/Pillan/Warrior
Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 4.1; Flight Crew Total 348.4; Flight Crew Type 322
Communication Breakdown; Troubleshooting; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Diverted; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
I was on an IFR flight plan ZZZ at 4;000 feet in contact with ZZZ center 120.65 when I had a complete electrical failure.  The acrid smell of an electrical fire was evident even though I didn't see any flames.  Fearing a full blown fire I immediately descended toward ZZZ airport which I had in sight.  I was able to contact the ZZZ tower on a handheld radio after I had entered their airspace.  They cleared me to land on Runway XX; which I was able to do.  I was instructed to taxi to the FBO.  Upon arrival at the FBO; I opened the cowling and found multiple melted wires on the engine side of the firewall; with burn damage to the outside lip of the cowling.
PA-28 pilot reported a complete electrical failure required the use of a hand held radio to contact ATC and successfully land at destination airport.