i have an electrical outlet that has a 5 plug adaptor plugged into it. The adaptor has two lights, one which says protected and the other says grounded. everything will be fine for a while and then all power to the unit will disapear and the lights on the adaptor go off. Last time this happened i replaced the outlet and everything was peachy keen until it recently failed again. The outlet still seems to work if the adaptor is pushed hard against it, but not to work regularly. I was wondering if i could replace the outlet with one rated for a higher amperage or even a gfci outlet and would this help the problem. the outlet has a phone, answering machine, toaster oven and coffeemaker running on it, and we try to not run the toaster oven and the coffemaker at the same time. What would cause the outlet to repeatedly fail and how can i fix the problem? thanks.
2007-03-13 18:38:26 · 8 answers · asked by jon 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
It seems to me that the problem is the adapter not the outlet. The adapter you have is more for electronics like computers, printers, answering machines etc. and it has electronics in it that can wear out and start to fail under heavy loads. Outlets don't have any electronic or moving parts so when they fail it means meltdown or fire. Try to find an adapter that doesn't have the indicator lights and is rated for the load your using it for.
2007-03-13 19:01:18 · answer #1 · answered by 1believer 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
the 5 plug adapter is probably a surge protector. most are only rated to 10 Amps. First, check the Amperage usage of the coffee maker, most ten cup coffee makers can pull up to 8 amps depending on the manufacturer. I have a Mr. Coffee maker that is only a 4 cup and it draws 600 watts alone. The toaster will draw even more. If the total wattage being drawn on the outlet is more than 90%, you are damaging both the plug and the outlet. also check the amperage on the breaker. a 20Amp breaker switch will support up to 16 amps without overload. If it trips the breaker, replace it. If the breaker is sufficient then replace the outlet with a gcfi plug. Its a safer alternative.
2007-03-14 11:04:40 · answer #2 · answered by Whitehorse 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're strip is not failing , the over-current protection devices built into it are doing exactly what they were designed to do-luckily for you.
You fix the "problem"by breaking up your amp loads and placing them on different circuits.
I don't own a toaster oven but I just found out-because of your question - that my 12cup coffeee maker uses 750watts on 110volt line-that's basically 7.5 amps
obviously that's only on the brewing cycle but still if that's a coffe maker what's your toaster oven drawing 1800W ?
Re: The info below
Electrical systems are designed so that the weakest link is the circuit breaker/ fuse
If you install a 20A breaker on a circuit that is using 15A wire and outlets you not only have a code violation but you run the risk of fire as the wire in the wall melts.
In terms of ampacity CB's ,wire's & devices have to match.
2007-03-14 05:41:16 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The five plug adapter may have a circuit breaker built into it. You are overloading the circuit and need to either have an electrician run another circuit or you should split up the load and move the coffeemaker or toaster to another plug.
That would be the best thing to do.
If you need to do something else, you can find adapters with 6 plugs that fit over the duplex receptacle. There is no fuse built in to this adapter. If you trip the circuit breaker again, then you really need to lessen the load on this plug.
2007-03-13 19:57:23 · answer #4 · answered by Fordman 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sounds like you are asking too much of this one outlet. Replacing it with an outlet that can handle more amperage is dangerous, as you don't know if your wiring can handle more. GFCI would probably trip as well, so you'd have the same problem. Toaster ovens wind up the maperage--anything that generates heat does. You need to spread out your stuff!!
2007-03-13 22:03:22 · answer #5 · answered by rickmcconaghy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's overloaded. you have too many heating appliances on one circuit and that is causing the contacts to fail. there are also commercial grade outlets, the inside contacts are heavy duty on these and will hold the plugs better. but first, move the toaster or the coffee maker to another outlet, if you check the amps listed on them, i'll bet they put the outlet at or over it's limit. good luck, i hope this helps.
2007-03-13 19:07:10 · answer #6 · answered by car dude 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Check the size of the wire in that particular circuit. Maybe it is undersized and could not handle the load. Also, trace back to the circuit breaker, clean the contact points, and tighten the screws. Good luck!
2007-03-14 01:34:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2007-03-13 19:06:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋