[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Electrical question (Page 1 of 3)
Posted: 5/2/2014 6:46:09 AM EDT
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Late last night I lost power through all the outlets in one room. The plate is scorched as well as the back of the night light that was on that outlet.
This morning I hit the breakers and power returned to those outlets. What could have caused this and should I be concerned about the possibility of a fire ? The only thing plugged into the outlets was that little light, and a fan my wife has on every night. Nothing out of the ordinary. I will probably call a electrician in an hour or two but wanted to get any advice first just in case it isn't necessary, or to understand more what I am talking about when I call. Thanks. 
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Quoted: Probably an internal short in the night light. This. Edit: Before calling the electrician, I'd switch the breaker off, and then pull that outlet apart. Three screws. It's very simple. If the wires in the outlet are clean, I'd just put a new outlet in and not worry about it.
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While it's entirely possible that the outlet is fine, personally, I wouldn't use it without either opening up and looking at it, or having someone look at it.
Since outlets are cheap (a buck, maybe less), if I have ANY question about one, I do like to replace it on principle. |
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The blades on the light don't look burned so it appears that the problem is inside the outlet. Current travelling through anything generates heat. Possibly the heat melted something inside the plug and the legs of the circuit touched (there are three legs including ground)
I would pull the outlet and replace it. If it shorted once you know it will again; better safe than sorry. And chuck the light too. Easier to buy another night light than another house. eta: just saw above. I'd call someone who knows how. |
| See that little sticker that says "UL"? that is a company that does safety testing, there are several of them CSA and UL being primary ones in North America. If you see these marks a product should be safe, but anything from China has a fair chance of being a forgery. On cheap electronic stuff always just toss it if suspect. Hint, anything with char marks is automatically suspect. |
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Quoted: Edit: Before calling the electrician, I'd switch the breaker off, and then pull that outlet apart. Three screws. It's very simple. If the wires in the outlet are clean, I'd just put a new outlet in and not worry about it. As a man, this is something you should know (learn) how to do. Don't pay someone a $100 to change a wall socket, this is something you will do more than once in your life. |
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Edit: Before calling the electrician, I'd switch the breaker off, and then pull that outlet apart. Three screws. It's very simple. If the wires in the outlet are clean, I'd just put a new outlet in and not worry about it. As a man, this is something you should know (learn) how to do. Don't pay someone a $100 to change a wall socket, this is something you will do more than once in your life. Quoted:
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If the wires in the outlet are clean, I'd just put a new outlet in and not worry about it. As a man, this is something you should know (learn) how to do. Don't pay someone a $100 to change a wall socket, this is something you will do more than once in your life. I could probably figure it out just never needed to before. My only concern is doing it wrong, and leaving it in a dangerous state that will cause a fire down the road. That or the problem being deeper than just a socket, and problem being unresolved. Will probably call a electrician, but I am going to pull that cover off first and see what it looks like. |
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Not going to do any electrical work myself I don't have the knowledge for it. Quoted:
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I would just start swapping wires around until the house quit burning down. Not going to do any electrical work myself I don't have the knowledge for it. This is very simple electical work that you should learn to do, not pay an electrician to do for you. Since there's charring on both the light and the outlet, I'd toss both and replace both. First, turn off the circuit breaker for that outlet. Then, remove the screw in the middle of the outlet face plate and remove the face plate. Now, remove the 2 screws located at the top and bottom of the electrical outlet. Look at the wires connected to the outlet and make sure none of them are melted or burned. If the wires are good, grab your new replacement outlet and orient it the same way as the burned one. Transfer the wires one by one from the burned outlet to the new outlet. Make sure when you attach the wires that you wrap them around the screws clockwise so that tightening the screw pulls the wire tight instead of pushing it off. Take the new outlet and screw it into the box with the 2 screws at top and bottom. Screw on your new outlet faceplate and you're all set. Turn on the circuit breaker and test the outlet with a new nightlight. |
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Quoted: I could probably figure it out just never needed to before. My only concern is doing it wrong, and leaving it in a dangerous state that will cause a fire down the road. That or the problem being deeper than just a socket, and problem being unresolved. Will probably call a electrician, but I am going to pull that cover off first and see what it looks like. Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: If the wires in the outlet are clean, I'd just put a new outlet in and not worry about it. As a man, this is something you should know (learn) how to do. Don't pay someone a $100 to change a wall socket, this is something you will do more than once in your life. I could probably figure it out just never needed to before. My only concern is doing it wrong, and leaving it in a dangerous state that will cause a fire down the road. That or the problem being deeper than just a socket, and problem being unresolved. Will probably call a electrician, but I am going to pull that cover off first and see what it looks like. I'm sure there are Youtube videos on "How to replace an electrical outlet".
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I'm sure there are Youtube videos on "How to replace an electrical outlet". Quoted:
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. I'm sure there are Youtube videos on "How to replace an electrical outlet". All the big box home improvement stores have racks of "how to" books for every subject. A $20 book will solve virtually all of the OP's problems of this type for the rest of his life. An electrician isn't showing up for twenty bucks. |
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This would be my guess. I'd replace the outlet cover, toss the light, and buy better quality stuff--though that's pretty hard to do these days.  Quoted:
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Probably an internal short in the night light. This would be my guess. I'd replace the outlet cover, toss the light, and buy better quality stuff--though that's pretty hard to do these days. This |
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I could probably figure it out just never needed to before. My only concern is doing it wrong, and leaving it in a dangerous state that will cause a fire down the road. That or the problem being deeper than just a socket, and problem being unresolved. Will probably call a electrician, but I am going to pull that cover off first and see what it looks like. Quoted:
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If the wires in the outlet are clean, I'd just put a new outlet in and not worry about it. As a man, this is something you should know (learn) how to do. Don't pay someone a $100 to change a wall socket, this is something you will do more than once in your life. I could probably figure it out just never needed to before. My only concern is doing it wrong, and leaving it in a dangerous state that will cause a fire down the road. That or the problem being deeper than just a socket, and problem being unresolved. Will probably call a electrician, but I am going to pull that cover off first and see what it looks like. You don't need an electrician just turn off the same breaker you reset and get at it. Just land the wires on the new receptacle just like they were landed on the old one, they are Black, White and Green. Or if that is too hard maybe you could have a male friend replace the receptacle for you.
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More detailed instructions: 1. Go to Walmart. Buy $2 outlet, and $200 of ammo. Throw away receipt. 2. Go home. Tell wife that you spent $202 on electrical supplies to fix outlet. 3. Pull outlet out of wall. Tell wife that you need to go and buy more parts. 4. Go to Walmart. Buy $50 of beer. Throw away receipt. Stop by gun store, browse around. 5. Go home. Tell wife that you spent $50 on more electrical stuff. Install new outlet. 6. Drink beer, complain to wife about how difficult the outlet was to replace. |
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This. Cheap Chinese made electric light -- what could possibly go wrong? Quoted:
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Probably an internal short in the night light. This. Cheap Chinese made electric light -- what could possibly go wrong? The odd part is that it has a "UL Listed" tag, which means it isn't supposed to do what is shown in the photo. The carbon should wipe off with alcohol, but replacing the socket ($2) is a 10 minute job if one includes trying to find the right breaker. The OP Should contact the manufacturer of the Night Light, send them the pictures and ask for some reimbursement for the outlet cover ($0.50) and a free new night light. They may want him to return the one he has so they can see what went wrong with it to prevent it in their newer products. Just throwing it away and ignoring it is why some items always have the same problem, the manufacturer isn't told the magnitude of issues. |
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More detailed instructions: 1. Go to Walmart. Buy $2 outlet, and $200 of ammo. Throw away receipt. 2. Go home. Tell wife that you spent $202 on electrical supplies to fix outlet. 3. Pull outlet out of wall. Tell wife that you need to go and buy moreparts. 4. Go to Walmart. Buy $50 of beer. Throw awayreceipt. Stop by gun store, browsearound. 5. Go home. Tellwife that you spent $50 on more electrical stuff. Install new outlet. 6. Drink beer, complain to wife about how difficultthe outlet was to replace. Nice plan but I'd add if your wife finds any of the secret booty tell her you won it in an internet contest. My wife thinks I'm incredibly lucky. |
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More detailed instructions: 1. Go to Walmart. Buy $2 outlet, and $200 of ammo. Throw away receipt. 2. Go home. Tell wife that you spent $202 on electrical supplies to fix outlet. 3. Pull outlet out of wall. Tell wife that you need to go and buy moreparts. 4. Go to Walmart. Buy $50 of beer. Throw awayreceipt. Stop by gun store, browsearound. 5. Go home. Tellwife that you spent $50 on more electrical stuff. Install new outlet. 6. Drink beer, complain to wife about how difficultthe outlet was to replace. I like the cut of your jib. 
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You don't need an electrician just turn off the same breaker you reset and get at it. Just land the wires on the new receptacle just like they were landed on the old one, they are Black, White and Green. Or if that is too hard maybe you could have a male friend replace the receptacle for you.
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If the wires in the outlet are clean, I'd just put a new outlet in and not worry about it. As a man, this is something you should know (learn) how to do. Don't pay someone a $100 to change a wall socket, this is something you will do more than once in your life. I could probably figure it out just never needed to before. My only concern is doing it wrong, and leaving it in a dangerous state that will cause a fire down the road. That or the problem being deeper than just a socket, and problem being unresolved. Will probably call a electrician, but I am going to pull that cover off first and see what it looks like. You don't need an electrician just turn off the same breaker you reset and get at it. Just land the wires on the new receptacle just like they were landed on the old one, they are Black, White and Green. Or if that is too hard maybe you could have a male friend replace the receptacle for you.
Working on it now. Got the cover off, and reading about it in a home improvement book. Never needed to do it before so my knowledge is limited. |
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First, turn off the circuit breaker for that outlet. I never do that. I like the tingle. BTW - The current code calls for the ground pin to be on the top in case a coin or something falls on the device, it will likely roll off and it won't short across the two blades. |
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This. Cheap Chinese made electric light -- what could possibly go wrong? Edit: Before calling the electrician, I'd switch the breaker off, and then pull that outlet apart. Three screws. It's very simple. If the wires in the outlet are clean, I'd just put a new outlet in and not worry about it. Quoted:
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Probably an internal short in the night light. This. Cheap Chinese made electric light -- what could possibly go wrong? Edit: Before calling the electrician, I'd switch the breaker off, and then pull that outlet apart. Three screws. It's very simple. If the wires in the outlet are clean, I'd just put a new outlet in and not worry about it. This. Replacing outlets is very easy. |
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Youtube will have videos on the process
Replace outlet Replace outlet #2 Replace outlet #3 Verify before doing it but I think I recall where the black and white wires go using (Black = Brass). B = B Verify If that is correct then white goes on the other side and ground should go to a point with a green screw. You will see a metal plate between the top and bottom socket on both sides. That connects both upper and lower hot (black wire) and neutral (white wire) socket points. So you can attach the black and white wires on the top screws or bottom screws. You might also get a voltage tester. Let me find a link to one Voltage tester A suitable screw driver and wire stripper and you are good to go. Needle nose pliers or similar to make a hook in the wires before attaching would not hurt. |
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Quoted: Not going to do any electrical work myself I don't have the knowledge for it. Quoted: Quoted: I would just start swapping wires around until the house quit burning down. Not going to do any electrical work myself I don't have the knowledge for it. |
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You let the smoke out. Electricity is smoke and mirrors and if you let the smoke out, it won't work on mirrors alone. Dude, call an electrician. At the bare minimum, the socket needs replacing and you don't seem comfortable doing it yourself. Anyone can replace a socket themselves its not hard at all to do. If you can build an AR replacing a socket is nothing. It's a 2 minute job. |
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Quoted: I never do that. I like the tingle. BTW - The current code calls for the ground pin to be on the top in case a coin or something falls on the device, it will likely roll off and it won't short across the two blades. Quoted: First, turn off the circuit breaker for that outlet. I never do that. I like the tingle. BTW - The current code calls for the ground pin to be on the top in case a coin or something falls on the device, it will likely roll off and it won't short across the two blades.  |
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pretty much any outlet that looks similar will work ? i think they are pretty generic aren't they ? Yes. Outlets are generic. Any one will work. Depending on what style, you may need to pick up a faceplate that fits it, but all of the screw holes on the outlet will be the same. |
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pretty much any outlet that looks similar will work ? i think they are pretty generic aren't they ? Yes, but there are different grades. Don't buy the cheap ones. Spend a couple of bucks more and get a quality outlet. Also made sure you match the color of your existing outlets. There is a lot of difference in Almond, Light Almond, Ivory, and White. |
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Is that new for 2014, because that hasn't been true in the past Quoted:
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First, turn off the circuit breaker for that outlet. I never do that. I like the tingle. BTW - The current code calls for the ground pin to be on the top in case a coin or something falls on the device, it will likely roll off and it won't short across the two blades. Fuck that. I'm not doing that. Plug the cord all the way in and you won't have a problem. But I'm sure it's to "protect the children" who can't push the plug all the way in. 
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Yes, but there are different grades. Don't buy the cheap ones. Spend a couple of bucks more and get a quality outlet. Also made sure you match the color of your existing outlets. There is a lot of difference in Almond, Light Almond, Ivory, and White. Quoted:
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pretty much any outlet that looks similar will work ? i think they are pretty generic aren't they ? Yes, but there are different grades. Don't buy the cheap ones. Spend a couple of bucks more and get a quality outlet. Also made sure you match the color of your existing outlets. There is a lot of difference in Almond, Light Almond, Ivory, and White. And there's unfortunately a difference between all those colors new and all those colors with some UV light fading. I also agree about the different grades. Don't buy the contractor's bulk pack. Those are shitty and meant to be cheap. |
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Is an outlet the same thing as a switch ? Here is a few more pics. Wires don't look burned. The tape is for the purpose of marking which is top, bottom, etc. Heading to buy a new outlet now. Thanks for the help. http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa408/Y8ber/100_9725_zps103ddfda.jpg http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa408/Y8ber/100_9726_zpsfedbab78.jpg http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa408/Y8ber/100_9727_zps1d5e05c4.jpg http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa408/Y8ber/100_9728_zps6daa7b12.jpg http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa408/Y8ber/100_9729_zps5c546b4d.jpg http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa408/Y8ber/100_9730_zps4a592b38.jpg The reason you have more than 3 wires is becuase the circuit passes through the outlet to other devices on the same circuit. |
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A switch controls a device...like flipping a switch to turn on an overhead light. The outlet is what you just removed and you plug things into an outlet to get power....light plugging a vacuum cleaner into an outlet. That is what I thought. Just wasn't sure as the book primarily used the word switch when it appeared to be talking about what you guys call outlet. |
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Anyone can replace a socket themselves its not hard at all to do. If you can build an AR replacing a socket is nothing. It's a 2 minute job. Quoted:
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You let the smoke out. Electricity is smoke and mirrors and if you let the smoke out, it won't work on mirrors alone. Dude, call an electrician. At the bare minimum, the socket needs replacing and you don't seem comfortable doing it yourself. Anyone can replace a socket themselves its not hard at all to do. If you can build an AR replacing a socket is nothing. It's a 2 minute job. Two minutes for you. I allocate whatever time it takes and usually it would be longer than two minutes. That is the difference between a competent person and me. |
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More detailed instructions: 1. Go to Walmart. Buy $2 outlet, and $200 of ammo. Throw away receipt. 2. Go home. Tell wife that you spent $202 on electrical supplies to fix outlet. 3. Pull outlet out of wall. Tell wife that you need to go and buy moreparts. 4. Go to Walmart. Buy $50 of beer. Throw awayreceipt. Stop by gun store, browsearound. 5. Go home. Tellwife that you spent $50 on more electrical stuff. Install new outlet. 6. Drink beer, complain to wife about how difficultthe outlet was to replace. I would like to subscribe to your newsletter. |
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The reason you have more than 3 wires is becuase the circuit passes through the outlet to other devices on the same circuit. Exactly. Both black wires on one side (Brass/gold screw ???? VERIFY) and both white wires on the same side (Silver screw/wider slot in front. VERIFY) |
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Quoted: Yes, but there are different grades. Don't buy the cheap ones. Spend a couple of bucks more and get a quality outlet. Also made sure you match the color of your existing outlets. There is a lot of difference in Almond, Light Almond, Ivory, and White. Quoted: Quoted: pretty much any outlet that looks similar will work ? i think they are pretty generic aren't they ? Yes, but there are different grades. Don't buy the cheap ones. Spend a couple of bucks more and get a quality outlet. Also made sure you match the color of your existing outlets. There is a lot of difference in Almond, Light Almond, Ivory, and White. Agreed. Don't buy the cheap outlets. And buy some quality 3M electrical tape. And some needlenose pliers, if you don't have any. I am a tightwad. But I don't buy cheap electrical tape or outlets.
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Quoted: ...BTW - The current code calls for the ground pin to be on the top in case a coin or something falls on the device, it will likely roll off and it won't short across the two blades. My brain cannot allow that because when I was a kid my dad described grounded receptacles as "monkey face." I cannot abide an inverted monkey face. |