B757-200
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Smoke / Fire / Fumes / Odor
General Maintenance Action; General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Aircraft
Arrived at aircraft on time. Approaching plane in jetway I noticed an odor and when I got on the plane; I noticed the odor be stronger. It smelled electrical; [I] walked to the back of [the] aircraft and odor was present to just beyond mid cabin. I went to the cockpit and noticed the odor dissipated at row 4. Entered the cockpit and performed initial preflight and noticed the right temp zone controller INOP. Contacted [Maintenance Control] via cellphone and informed [them] of the situation. [I] was told they would dispatch Contract Maintenance. The rest of the crew arrived; First Officer concurred with the presence of odor as well as first and mid cabin FA. Once Contract Maintenance arrived [they] attempted to isolate the source. I went outside with Contract Tech to see if belt loader or other equipment could be the cause. Everything looked normal. Maintenance Control had me turn off the right pack and see if that would make a difference; it did not. Advised Maintenance Control that detailed entry would be in logbook. Was advised shortly thereafter the flight would be delayed until XA00 local the next day. Was unable to complete a Smoke; Odor; Fumes report in a timely manner and was informed via Maintenance Control the next morning it was unnecessary as their procedures were already completed.
B757-200 Captain reported strong electrical odor during preflight. Maintenance was dispatched and the flight was canceled.