The large room in the back of my home has 4 wall plug in outlets. Two of them have surge protectors with a computer, lamp, tv, stereo and an xbox 360 hooked up between two of them. Then the third one has a window A/C unit. The 4th plugin outlet, which is the main one to the circuit has nothing at all plugged into it. The room has worked fine for about three years. Up until recently (the last week or so...) The power to the room has been cutting out completely. We changed the main plug in and it seemed to work fine for 2 days, and then it cut out again. It seems when the window unit runs, the one that has nothing plugged into it, gets very hot. Then the power cuts off. I know it is not overloading because it has worked fine for years. For now I just unplugged the winow unit and everything is working fine. Why would it just now overload?? If that is the problem. Or could the winow unit just be too old?? It is driving us crazy. The window unit is what keeps the back room cool. Suggestions
2007-05-31 23:35:50 · 4 answers · asked by jmill911 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I have read and re-read your question several times. The way I understand it is that it's not the outlet with the a/c plugged into it but an outlet that has nothing plugged in that overheats. This being the case, it is probably in that junction box. Shut the power off to that room and remove that outlet. It sounds like what is going on is that you have the power going to that outlet with one pair of wires, then there is another pair connected to that outlet that is carrying power to the a/c. If the wires are attached to the outlet by screws, make sure the screws are all tight. If they are attached by the wire being pushed into a hole in the back of the outlet, remove the wires from the holes and attach to the screws. Also while your in that box, check for wire nuts behind the outlet and make sure they're all tight.
If that outlet heats up with nothing plugged into it, it has to be caused by a loose connection. This should solve your problems.
2007-06-01 02:18:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your problem is definitely your AC unit. And that is evidenced by the fact that the outlet into which the unit is plugged gets very hot. You are right at the limit of what that outlet can handle.
Assorted issues can cause such changes. Even something as simple as slightly lower voltage being provided by the utility (yes, it happens) can cause such a situation. You need to have a dedicated circuit installed to handle the AC unit.
2007-06-01 06:57:20 · answer #2 · answered by acermill 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I used to be an electrician. Now I am a clown.
As the A/C unit gets older, it will consume more electricity. It has a motor. The components get old and there is more friction to turn the motor, the motor draws more current.
Solution 1: New A/C unit with lower current rating.
Solution 2: Get the A/C unit refurbished.
Good Luck
2007-06-01 07:28:18 · answer #3 · answered by Clown 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get the services of an electrician pronto before your house burns down. Don't listen to any other lay man's advices. Just get an electrician to go over the wiring, unless you have plans to claim from the insurance.
2007-06-01 07:07:38 · answer #4 · answered by Leof 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋