Any electricians out there?

[NBT]

Scott...first go to your panel, and make sure the breaker is not too big...it should have popped if that shorted out. Also look for double taps. What size is your service to the house...150, 200 amp?
Did the electricians (when you remodeled the kitchen) make any "home runs" to the panel?
I am headingover to a friend of mines right now...oddly he owns Botta Electric...I will pull up the thread, and do you want me to call you from his place?

 

[KRAZYSRT10]

That's a great find! Thanks!!

I know that there is at least one place where old meets new, and I doubt if they used the right connectors.

I will be going through the house tomorrow and checking all of the outlets to make sure they are the correct kind.

My MIL just informed me that when they bought the house in about 2002, they replaced all of the outlets. She and my wife bought them, and then an electrician friend installed them. My guess is he didn't pay any attention...

This one's gonna cost me.... :argh::argh:

Good Luck Scotty! And lock the MIL in the closet for not telling you sooner!

On second thought...don't do that!LOL!!!

 

[KRAZYSRT10]

Scott...first go to your panel, and make sure the breaker is not too big...it should have popped if that shorted out. Also look for double taps. What size is your service to the house...150, 200 amp?
Did the electricians (when you remodeled the kitchen) make any "home runs" to the panel?
I am headingover to a friend of mines right now...oddly he owns Botta Electric...I will pull up the thread, and do you want me to call you from his place?

AWESOME Kenny!!!!!:rock: :rock: :rock:

 

[ntw0rk]

Scott...first go to your panel, and make sure the breaker is not too big...it should have popped if that shorted out. Also look for double taps. What size is your service to the house...150, 200 amp?
Did the electricians (when you remodeled the kitchen) make any "home runs" to the panel?
I am headingover to a friend of mines right now...oddly he owns Botta Electric...I will pull up the thread, and do you want me to call you from his place?

Nope, they did not. And I know at least one place where there is a junction box buried in the wall that is most likely a copper to aluminum connection...

I am not sure what the service to the house is, probably 150. Replacing the breaker box was just about next on my "To Do" list last year, but that got put on hold when I lost my job.

UGH... this sux.

I am about done playing with this for tonight since it is dark and tripping breakers means being in the dark. So, the phone call would be cool, but I don't know how much good it will do. If he has any advice beyond what is mentioned here, I would be very appreciative though! :rock:

 

[iraqivet01]

Aluminium Wiring was outlawed years ago due it expanding when it draws too much current. resulting in what your experiencing. Your house must have been built a long time ago.

You need to rewire your house before it burns down.
The only aluminium wire that is allowed it the drop going into the meter on the side of the house. Everything from there on has to be copper.

 

[SilvrSRT10]

That's a great find! Thanks!!

This one's gonna cost me.... :argh::argh:

Spending a few bucks on some new outlets sure beats waking up to a house full of smoke. Be sure to check your light switches too.

Aluminium Wiring was outlawed years ago due it expanding when it draws too much current. resulting in what your experiencing. Your house must have been built a long time ago.

You need to rewire your house before it burns down.
The only aluminium wire that is allowed it the drop going into the meter on the side of the house. Everything from there on has to be copper.

True it has been outlawed but it has been "grandfathered" in where it is existing. There are precautions that need to be followed such as switches and outlets rated for aluminum wiring and sealing them to prevent corroding.

 

[ntw0rk]

Aluminium Wiring was outlawed years ago due it expanding when it draws too much current. resulting in what your experiencing. Your house must have been built a long time ago.

You need to rewire your house before it burns down.
The only aluminium wire that is allowed it the drop going into the meter on the side of the house. Everything from there on has to be copper.

The house was built in '72.

Aluminum wiring, by code, is allowed if it was original to the house. Anything added now, has to be copper.

Rewiring even this small house would be an expensive NIGHTMARE! :afraid: :afraid:

 

[ntw0rk]

Spending a few bucks on some new outlets sure beats waking up to a house full of smoke. Be sure to check your light switches too.

That's what I plan to do tomorrow when there is some sunshine.

As long as the outlets/switches match, I should be a lot safer, correct??

 

[Manic]

That's what I plan to do tomorrow when there is some sunshine.

As long as the outlets/switches match, I should be a lot safer, correct??

Yes, if they are available. Otherwise, you will either have to make the changes Silvr found or change the wiring... :argh:

 

[SilvrSRT10]

As long as the outlets/switches match, I should be a lot safer, correct??

I certainly hope so but it sounds like your about to get some local professional assistance. Keep your smoke detectors in good working order. Good luck.

 

[FastRam]

Dude please call a licensed Elec ASAP. It definitely looks like you have several things going on that need to be inspected first hand by a qualified and licensed electrician. Don't skimp $$$ on this deal. I am am licensed Master Elec for VA and it looks like you have some corrosion and circuit distribution and loading issues that need to be addressed. First off I can tell you that your wiring needs to be meggered, all of it, not just the damaged portions, to check for insulation damages. I wish we were closer so that I could help. Until professional help arrives, keep the damaged circuits de-energized, minimize any unnecessary loads, unplug all unused appliances and devices and make sure your smoke detectors are in working order. Good luck and if you need any help, please PM me.

 

[JRSVIPR]

Dude please call a licensed Elec ASAP. It definitely looks like you have several things going on that need to be inspected first hand by a qualified and licensed electrician. Don't skimp $$$ on this deal. I am am licensed Master Elec for VA and it looks like you have some corrosion and circuit distribution and loading issues that need to be addressed. First off I can tell you that your wiring needs to be meggered, all of it, not just the damaged portions, to check for insulation damages. I wish we were closer so that I could help. Until professional help arrives, keep the damaged circuits de-energized, minimize any unnecessary loads, unplug all unused appliances and devices and make sure your smoke detectors are in working order. Good luck and if you need any help, please PM me.

This is very good advice, Please be very careful.

 

[Manic]

Damn, I love this website!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[iraqivet01]

The house was built in '72.

Aluminum wiring, by code, is allowed if it was original to the house. Anything added now, has to be copper.

Rewiring even this small house would be an expensive NIGHTMARE! :afraid: :afraid:

listen to the previous post.
Your house is telling you something is wrong, and it going to burn to the ground if not fixed. Count your blessing it hasn't already.

Seriously

 

[Demon 8]

It looks to me from the picture is that the small buss jumper from one screw terminal to the next may have cracked by over torquing the connections. Load transfer through this bad connection which is daisy chaining to the next outlet is the reason for the melt down. You want the connections tight but remember that the housing plastic gives.

Bingo
Once the plastic is cracked the outlet is a fire hazard, juice is crossing over...should have tripped the breaker though. I had the same thing happen when I did my own wiring. Call an electrician and get it fixed right...maybe 100 to 150, much less than a house fire

 

[NBT]

scott...calling you...

 

[Riff62]

you guys havent had any power outages/brownouts in your area have you?..power spikes?..the circuit not tripping isnt good..hope Kennys friend can help you out..

 

[THEWELSHM]

If the electrical plugs are copper, it can cause a reaction.

You will either need to find aluminium plugs or if I am correct, a gell coating can be used.

I am not a qualified electrician but have ran into this in the past.

Best of luck!

Wil

You are correct Sir, had this problem with a rental, utilizing copper fittings with Aluminium wire is a potential fire hazard !!!!

thewelshm

 

[ntw0rk]

Thanks for all of the advice everyone!

Thanks for the call Kenny!

I am going to take a look at the outlets in the house and make sure that they match the wiring type, and replace any that don't.

I will call and electrician...

 

[FATJACK]

Believe I would not use the Microwave at all until you get this repaired, even a small microwave can easily draw 15 amps. Don't burn up my Girlfriend , I would be real pissed at you!!