I have 3 ac's. all 5000 btu. in the bedroom, computer room and living room.
I unplugged one the other day and saw the plug had gotten so hot it melted a blackened hole into the socket. I unplugged the other two and the same thing.
Obviously the cords are getting too hot. I cant live without AC. I know I need ot replace the plugs but how can I stop this from happening?
2007-09-12 15:01:02 · 15 answers · asked by eddie9551 5 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The house was built in 1918.
There are 20 amps on each of the circuits. Only 2 ac's were running at any given time.
2007-09-12 15:15:42 · update #1
So the new receptacles..just normal plastic ones from home depot right?
Or should I get the mpost expensive I can find?
2007-09-12 15:44:36 · update #2
chances are the wall sockets are old and a little worn out...you should try to replace them along with the plugs...what amperage breaker are these on? if they are getting hot enought to melt the plug ..they should be tripping the breaker..it should not be more than 20 amps...each....i hope to god these are not on the same breaker....otherwise this is a fire waiting to happen
2007-09-12 15:07:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you house was built between the 50's- 70's, it may have aluminium wiring. The contacts at the outlets need to be treated with a special liquid that reduces the resistance between the wire and the outlet (you'll need and electrician for that, probably). Or, if the connection is loose or corroded, it could have the same effect with copper wire, but the chances that it happened in all three outlets is kind of unlikely.
Or, it could be that you are just pulling too much power and the wires can't handle it but the breaker isn't tripping.
Either way, I would have an electrician check it out before you use the AC again, it could start a fire next time.
Good Luck.
2007-09-12 15:09:42 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I was called to your house to check this out, I would pull the receptacles out to check the wiring. To see if someone used the back-stab holes rather than the screws. I would check for aluminum wire. And wire size (12 ga). I would look at the type and condition of the receptacles to see if that caused the problem. I would check the voltage at the receptacle to see it was not low. Then I would replace the receptacles with new spec grade 20 amp units. Not cheap junk from HD because I wouldn't want you having to call me back angry when it did it again. I would also replace the plugs on the cords you have with compatible plugs to what the units have on them now. I would check the voltage with the unit running, again for low voltage. I would then check the current draw against the nameplate ampere rating of the unit. All that for a very reasonable price compared to the cost of a fire. Or you could just replace the plugs and receptacles and see what happens.
2007-09-13 14:35:36 · answer #3 · answered by John himself 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to go on the website for recalls of things. There have been at least 3 fires in the Charlotte, NC area this summer of cords on window ACs overheating and causing fires. I have a feeling (a gut feeling) there's gonna be a BIG recall of these very soon. One of them killed a 10mo old baby here in the 100* heat....the AC was in her bedroom and they could not get to her. DO NOT USE THAT AC AGAIN! You need to show the plug to a FIRE MARSHALL where you live...you might save somebody elses life.
2007-09-12 15:10:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll need some heavy-duty sockets to support the demands that the AC will place on it. And since the house is so old, you might want to make sure the wiring will handle it too: I have a friend who has to be extremely careful with AC in her home because the wiring simply cannot handle it.
2007-09-12 16:12:20 · answer #5 · answered by Tigger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that part of the problem is the 5000 btu units are very small and they have to run a lot just to keep a room cool.The thermostat should be turned up high enough to let the compressor cool down a little. The unit must cycle. In other words if the compressor is constantly running , the cord and plug is going to have a melt down. Not safe at all. If it were me , I would invest in a 10,000 btu for each room.
2007-09-12 15:15:16 · answer #6 · answered by Timo 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Rob K has the right idea.
The problem is indicative of heating
at the receptacle.
This problem is also often seen where there
is aluminum wiring installed.
If that is the case, a dangerous condition can
exist for which you need an electrician.
Don't ignore this, the heating can cause a fire.
PS Replace the cord/plug units on the AC.s.
2007-09-12 15:12:05 · answer #7 · answered by Irv S 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get an electrician out there to look at the plugs and to check the current draw on the AC units. You may also have aluminum wiring and it is not making a good connection and causing sparking inside the plug. This is a dangerous situation have an electrician check it out very soon, before you have a fire.
good luck.
2007-09-12 15:08:07 · answer #8 · answered by Fordman 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
check the outlet to see if they are 15 or 20 amp outlets, if they are 15 amp outlets replace them with 20 amp. a house that old I would be worried about the size of the wire supplying the ac. check that first I believe it should be 12 awg wire, or bigger.
2007-09-12 18:15:20 · answer #9 · answered by frfiter 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
receptacle contacts work just like a knife switch if you've ever seen one, once they are so old the contact lose their spring back (their grip) causing a loose connection and generating heat
2007-09-12 15:37:56 · answer #10 · answered by Daniel S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋