The bathroom lights flicker when I turn them on and also when I am using the hair dryer. There is also a significant decrease in wattage with my hair dryer when this is happening.
Today is the first day I've noticed that the electrical plug-in on the wall is warm to the touch and the wall plate itself is crooked!
I want to be better prepared when I pass the complaint onto my landlord as to what it could possibly be.
Any ideas???
Thanks in advance!
2007-02-27 09:30:53 · 8 answers · asked by SAHM 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Fixitall nailed it..
you probably have a 1.50 cent receptacle in the bathroom. the hair dryer pulls maximun amperage, the loose connection makes the outlet hotter as current flows...then...bam...fire in the wall..
Have your tight-wad landlord replace the outlet tomorrow..Until he does, dry your hair on another outlet...when he checks the wiring, make sure he checks connections in the overhead light fixture and wall switch
2007-02-27 14:19:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the outlet is warm to the touch before you plug anything into it you have a loose connection in the outlet. Would bet the lights are on circuit after the receptacle and you are getting some arcing in receptacle when you first turn lights on. This needs repair immediately as the circuit breaker will not sense this type of problem and wall could become hot enough to burn. Would have the Landlord replace with GFI. receptacle.
2007-02-27 14:51:12 · answer #2 · answered by RoeB 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your description here should do just fine. If the outlet smells hot after use, provide that detail to. He'll need to get on the stick and fix this.
Could be a simple as a new outlet, or might need some new wiring. Most electrical codes like to seperate lighting loads from outlets. (So a short circuit doesn't plunge you in darkness as well.)
2007-02-27 09:35:17 · answer #3 · answered by KirksWorld 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From what you are saying it is most probably a loose connection on the receptacle. A loose connection will cause heating of the receptacle and this is a fire hazard. In my house the lights in the bathroom were powered off the back of the receptacle and a screw on the receptacle was loose causing the lights to flicker.
2007-02-27 12:48:15 · answer #4 · answered by fixitall 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you may have a overload of the circuit that the breaker is not tripping and could be very dangerous. Could be that the wire is undersized for the breaker size (Exp. you have a wire rated for 15 amps but the breaker is a 20 amps)
2007-02-27 10:18:52 · answer #5 · answered by brndnh721 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Refrain from using the outlet any further and tell your landlord. This is definately a fire hazard waiting to ignight.
2007-02-27 09:41:01 · answer #6 · answered by ibithedust 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
ALL OF THE ANSWERS SOUND GOOD MAKE SURE THEY USE A G F I. REPLACEMENT OUTLET.
2007-02-27 10:22:36 · answer #7 · answered by rvblatz 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You either have a short and because the plate is getting hot, it will have to be grounded.
2007-02-27 09:40:35 · answer #8 · answered by Don't Know 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋