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#117477 06/18/04 09:21 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,374
R
Ryan_J Offline OP
Moderator
I got a call from my brother in-law yesterday to see why his freezer stopped working.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


Ryan Jackson,
Salt Lake City
#117478 06/18/04 09:24 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
So what was the problem? [Linked Image]


Where you able to get some good conductor into the box?


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#117479 06/18/04 09:32 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,374
R
Ryan_J Offline OP
Moderator
Good morning Bob. Yes, they had a switch right above the receptacle, and thanks to poor workmanship, tghe failed cable wasn't stapled to the stud. I was able to hook on some new 12-2 and pull it through. All said I was done in about an hour.

It was sure spooky though, looking at how the wood paneling had already started to discolor and carbonize.


Ryan Jackson,
Salt Lake City
#117480 06/18/04 10:48 AM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,438
Member
Good grief! That looks like it might've been a close one! [Linked Image] I hate coming in on things & finding evidence that a burn was actually imminent under existing circumstances.....
Was the Slater push & pray connected or were the side terminals loose? This looks like copper, but I have to ask... Is it?

-Randy

#117481 06/18/04 07:33 PM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 947
T
twh Offline
Member
See!! That's what happens when you install receptacles upside-down.

#117482 06/19/04 10:50 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 119
C
Member
I hope you replace that cordcap [Linked Image]
and did a breaker trip?

[This message has been edited by ComputerWizKid (edited 06-19-2004).]


Theres always enough room in the junction box.You just need a bigger hammer
#117483 06/20/04 12:37 AM
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,081
T
Member
The "neutral" is the burnt side here, correct?

#117484 06/20/04 09:10 AM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,143
D
Member
Oh boy Oh boy Oh boy Oh boy Oh boy ..... Talk about lucky!

#117485 06/20/04 11:07 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,374
R
Ryan_J Offline OP
Moderator
Yes I did replace the cord cap, and no, the breaker didn't trip...I would assume that is because, as TG pointed out, it was on the nuetral side. The conductors were actually copper. I think what was happening is that, if you notice, the receptacle is very close to the right side of the box. I think it had started arcing from teh nuetral to the box, and it just generated heat.

I'll tell you the scary part though...as I said, this was a relative of mine. There is no denying that this really could have started a fire. I mean, when I cut the paneling a little to install a new cut-in box, it just crumbled...it was that burnt. Anyway, the scary part is that we are all going on vacation next week. I really think that they could have came home from vacation and found that they had no home. [Linked Image]


Ryan Jackson,
Salt Lake City
#117486 06/21/04 07:32 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,438
Member
Ryan J wrote:

Quote
I think it had started arcing from teh nuetral to the box, and it just generated heat.

Ryan... Your ground & grounded phase are supposed to be at the same potential! [Linked Image] If there was high resistance between the outlet terminal & the actual neutral wire, I can see were you're coming from.. but if you really think this was happening, I'd look a little closer at the service panel neutral/ground bonding & ohm out the neutral back to this point from there to make sure they are, in fact, at the same potential!

-Randy

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