ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
Increasing demand factors in residential
by tortuga - 03/28/24 05:57 PM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
Cordless Tools: The Obvious Question
by renosteinke - 03/14/24 08:05 PM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 265 guests, and 15 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4
#73843 01/03/07 12:08 AM
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 92
P
Peter Offline OP
Member
This question appeared on the Mike Holt forum and they gave him a lot of advice to "call an electrician":
"I have (had!) an above the stove microwave which plugged in to a receptacle above it in a cabinet. It's been there for over 3 years and operated without any problems. A few weeks ago the microwave stopped working. I replaced the fuse in the microwave and the electronics functioned properly but when it was actually ran, it completely stopped working. I purchased a new microwave, mounted it and the second I plugged it in, there was a large popping sound and a large spark traveling down the backside of the microwave. Needless to say it spooked me a bit."
I would like to expose this question to a wider audience in the hope of finding a cause for this catastrophe.
The only thing I can think of is perhaps a 240 volt receptacle but I somehow doubt it. Has anyone had a similar experience?
~Peter

#73844 01/03/07 12:19 AM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,438
Member
Your typical microwave comes with a NEMA 5-15 plug, so it shouldn't plug into a NEMA 6-15/20 outlet... I'd start with a voltage reading from the outlet under load... Something smells of open neutral/multiwire circuit.

#73845 01/03/07 12:21 AM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 806
Member
Quote
Something smells of open neutral/multiwire circuit.

Oh, Bob..... [Linked Image]


Stupid should be painful.
#73846 01/03/07 12:22 AM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,438
Member
MX you were the first person I thought of when I typed that [Linked Image] [Linked Image] [Linked Image]

#73847 01/03/07 12:24 AM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 806
Member
Thanks Randy!! Now we sit back and wait... [Linked Image]


Stupid should be painful.
#73848 01/03/07 06:18 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
Tony all kidding aside two wire circuits have problems as well.

If you don't want to use the type of circuit that delivers the electricity to your home, that is up to you.

But I will tell you I am tiring of your unsupported posts that multi wire circuits are inherently bad.

You have based your opinion on anecdotal evidence and not science.

Your are certainly entilitled to give your opinion but enough is enough.

Bob

[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 01-03-2007).]


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#73849 01/03/07 06:30 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
FWIW I would also be looking for an open neutral condition somewhere.

It could even be at the utility and the Micro was just the first victim.


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#73850 01/03/07 07:17 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,716
R
Member
I will also jump on this bandwagon.

Tony, if it scares you so much then by all means don't use the method, for those of us who do use it and never have problems with it, we will continue to do so. Your bad experiences can probably be attributed more to sorry workmanship of the installer(s)than to the wiring method itself.

If it's so terribly bad you should lobby to have all residential services redone with individual grounded conductors for each ungrounded conductor worldwide, after all they are MWC's.


Roger



[This message has been edited by Roger (edited 01-03-2007).]

#73851 01/03/07 04:29 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,429
L
LK Offline
Member
"Your bad experiences can probably be attributed more to sorry workmanship of the installer(s)than to the wiring method itself."

I am no fan of multi wire circuits, being used just for the purpose of saving a few bucks, but that does not make them bad, or dangerous to install, they have their place, and i would use them without worry, the problems usually arise, when they are installed by someone that does not understand them.

#73852 01/03/07 05:25 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 114
E
Member
Consumers should call an electrician any time a replacement item fails out of box.

Though my work is in regulatory approvals / product safety, I say this because one day I may be an electrician...

Page 1 of 4 1 2 3 4

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5