my outlet started to smoke and glow when i turned on the microwave yesterday. the microwave is plugged into an outlet about 10 yards from the glowing, smoking one. i turned off the circuit breaker and i've been trying to contact an electrician to come look at it...is this thing going to catch fire before he comes to fix it...is there anything i can do now to make it safer?
2007-01-04 08:19:23 · 7 answers · asked by missbeth7 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
first, you did the right thing by turning off the breaker. don't turn the circuit back on until you have it looked at. now if you did that as soon as you noticed the smoke and glow, the damage will likely be confined to just that outlet. there are many possibilities as to what caused it. it could be as simple as a loose wire at the outlet. or something stuck in the box that the outlet is in. it could also be something wrong with the microwave and a loose wire in the outlet started to overheat. the electrician is the first step and if he finds nothing wrong then i would have the microwave looked at. until the electrician comes, unplug the microwave, too. good luck.
2007-01-04 09:05:38 · answer #1 · answered by car dude 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The outlet 10 feet away is probably on the same circuit as the microwave outlet. The outlet wires are either loose or the outlet has damaged internal components. All of the current the microwave requires has to come through this outlet before it gets to the microwave outlet. The outlet will have to be replaced. All other outlets in the house should also be checked as they all may have been installed at same time and there could be a problem in their construction. Many times a home builder will install a 25 cent outlet to save money. (You cannot find them for that price anymore but you once could).
2007-01-04 17:03:53 · answer #2 · answered by RoeB 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the microwave was plugged into an outlet 10 yards from the microwave, you must have been using an extension cord. The extension cord for an appliance must be rated to carry the correct load needed for the appliance.
You definitely need a licensed electrician. 30-feet is a long way to use an extension cord for an appliance.
2007-01-04 17:19:41 · answer #3 · answered by intrepid 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am a licensed master electrician in Michigan and can say for sure to keep the breaker off until you call someone licensed to look at it. most common reasons for an outlet to smoke are loose wires, or too much current on the circuit. loose wires, when not being used are ok to much extent, but when a draw is on it, it will cause an "arc" of electricity to make permanent contact. it may arc over and over to make a connection, hence smoke. and a fire waiting to happen. be careful and good luck.
2007-01-04 18:10:30 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is one reason now days that microwaves are required to be put on their own circuit. Like others have said, either the microwave has an overload problem, the circuit is not big enough for the load, and or the plug itself is defective. I think as long as you have the circuit off and don't use it, you'll be fine.
2007-01-04 18:37:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like your microwave outlet is connected off the outlet that's getting hot.
It's definitely a fire hazard, and you shouldn't use it til it's checked and replaced by someone.
Preferably an electrician.
2007-01-04 16:47:56 · answer #6 · answered by TheElectrician 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't know about your immediate safety which sounds concerning but if you want a decent electrician I would recommend trying www.ratedtradesmen.com to help ensure you get someone trustworthy. The service immediately text and emails local tradesmen e.g. electricians with your specific job and allows you to view how other people have rated their work. Should save time, hassle and worry.
2007-01-04 17:44:44 · answer #7 · answered by Woodlands 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋