Post #214,028
7/8/05 1:00:16 PM
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Blown electrical outlets
Was on the treadmill again just now- power went out again- but this time only 2 outlets in the basement were affected. Everything else is fine. What's going on? I have a dehumidifier plugged into one of those outlets. I figured between that and the treadmill, I overloaded the circuit. I checked the circuit breaker- no tripped circuits. After a few minutes the outlets started working again. I unplugged the dehumidifier, plugged in and turned the treadmill back on- kablooey- power gone again in the same two outlets- circuit still not tripped.
What do I do? Electricity isnt my thing, so dummy it down for me so I can understand.
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Post #214,031
7/8/05 1:30:42 PM
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R! GOWYSC!
===
Purveyor of Doc Hope's [link|http://DocHope.com|fresh-baked dog biscuits and pet treats].
[link|http://DocHope.com|http://DocHope.com]
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Post #214,042
7/8/05 2:01:34 PM
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Some things to check.
1) You say they're basement outlets. Is there a chance that those outlets have gotten wet in the past? It may be that the connections the wire makes with the outlet are corroded.
If you know which circuit breaker is used for that outlet, you can turn it off, remove the outlet trim cover, and remove 2 screws that hold the outlet in the box. You can then check the wiring and see if there's indications of corrosion or overheating. The outlets are very easy to replace - they're less than $1 and you only need a screwdriver (and maybe some pliers to bend the wire around the screws). If the wires are just pushed into the back of the outlet, then that may explain the problem too - connections like that often aren't very good (there isn't tight enough contact to the wire). Such outlets are common.
2) The treadmill probably doesn't take very much power (maybe 1/2 HP - about 400 Watts = 3.5 Amps. The circuit breaker is probably rated at 15 or 20 Amps). Try using a different outlet (but use a good extension cord if you need one). If you get the same result on a different outlet then it might indicate something is wrong with the treadmill (a short somewhere?). Or it might indicate that the problem is more common than you suspect.
3) I rented a place that had really crappy circuit breakers once. The breakers wouldn't trip - the contact would simply get corroded over time and the breaker would overheat. It had similar symptoms to your description - the circut would die and then come back to life after a while. Or it wouldn't come back at all. I ended up replacing a couple of the breakers before I moved out. They were ~ $25 or so as they were an off-brand that was hard to find. (An upstairs neighbor had a fire in his place - I wondered whether it was due to faulty circuit breakers (especially after seeing evidence of arcing by the main breaker for the building in the laundry room. The management did replace the bad main breaker when I informed them about the problem.).
Try cycling the breaker for the outlet. If it behaves better after that, you might want to have an electrician come and look at it to make sure it's not failing. An electrician is much cheaper than having to replace your home.
Now that I've scared you, it's my guess that it's the outlet or the connections to the outlet, but you probably should have someone look at it to make sure that it's not something serious.
Luck!
Cheers,
Scott.
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Post #214,047
7/8/05 2:22:30 PM
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Might be the startup surge of the dehumidifier when treadmil
is on.Take the cover plates off of the plugs, check for corrosion. Dont touch, just look. Same for circuit breaker. If it happens more frequently invest in an electrician type.
thanx,
bill
Just call me Mr. Lynch \\
Any opinions expressed by me are mine alone, posted from my home computer, on my own time as a free american and do not reflect the opinions of any person or company that I have had professional relations with in the past 49 years. meep
questions, help? [link|mailto:pappas@catholic.org|email pappas at catholic.org]
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Post #214,079
7/8/05 7:49:35 PM
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Re: Blown electrical outlets
Scott's covered it very well..
But if you're a complete tyro and your breakers are as Not-marked as many I've seen:
FIRST - plug a lamp into the one you are planning to kill / turn-off its breaker;
WATCH it go out when you flip the breaker you Think you should flip.
The less you know about how house circuits work, the MORE you need to take this redundant step, IMO.
(If the present outlet is the "push wire in and-hope" type - you usually need a small screwdriver to insert nearby the wire-hole = to release that wire end, for inspection? or when replacing.)
Sometimes you can just use a pen-knife to scrape, make the wire shiny and reinsert -- til you get the replacement.
It's often a PITA to unbend then rebend old Real Copper wires around the screw-type outlets and switches; the copper is work-hardened / no longer 'annealed', thus stiff -- but they are Better for reasons mentioned.
Long-nose pliers mucho helpful in forming a small-U on the ends.
You can handle this.
(Or.. if you err on Part 3, we'll never speak to you again, y'hear!?)
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Post #214,095
7/8/05 10:41:16 PM
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Electric outlets are simple. And deadly.
If you're not comfortable with learning how to deal with them, then don't. Hire someone. If you are comfortable, there are several excellent "how-to" books available.
Pay for the book or the worker. Do NOT proceed from advice received online. Learn it yourself or pay for the knowledge of others.
I am deadly serious.
-----------------------------------------
"In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for. As for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican."
-- H. L. Mencken
Support our troops, Impeach Bush.
D. D. Richards
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Post #214,101
7/8/05 11:31:46 PM
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Nothing a screwdriver and hammer can't fix!
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Post #214,107
7/9/05 4:07:15 AM
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how old is the house?
could be aluminium wire and outlets with copper connectors. Over time their connection will often break down. You need to have outlets rated for aluminium wire. If you don't know and don't know how to tell, hire a professional. Eletricity is not to be messed with.
Have fun,
Carl Forde
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Post #214,108
7/9/05 11:49:40 AM
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Was hoping I could fix it with duct tape.......
House is 60 yrs old. I'm not going to mess with it. You guys have sufficiently scared me out of it. Had a friend come over last night- he took a look and shook his head. My former husband did some wiring work on that end of the basement. Bob Vila he aint. My friend (an engineer. What else?) is going to work on it. Thanks for all the tips, though.
Laura
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Post #214,112
7/9/05 1:24:40 PM
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Wisdom
--
Steve
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Post #214,124
7/9/05 8:23:14 PM
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Yeah, but what fun is that?
[link|http://www.aaxnet.com|AAx]
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Post #214,126
7/9/05 8:26:05 PM
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:-)
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Post #214,130
7/9/05 10:30:45 PM
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re: what fun is that?
Yeah! C'mon...Free perm!!!
The Elsa Lancaster Look is really IN this year.
Peace,
Amy
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting 'Holy shit, what a ride!'"
.
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Post #214,146
7/10/05 2:29:48 AM
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Now yer cookin!
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Post #214,148
7/10/05 4:32:10 AM
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Yup.
Many moons ago I had a woman working for me as a PC tech (back when PC techs actually had a function).
I would really, reeeeeeeeeally piss her off when I came back to the office to find she was stuck with something mechanical which I would resolve in seconds. What pissed her off was what I always said afterwards.
"Girls can't do this sort of thing - they just haven't broken enough stuff to know how far you can push stuff before it breaks."
I've also paid my dues in electricity, and in my tender youth woke up resting against the opposite wall often enough to get the lessons burned into long-term memory pretty good.
Poor Rose has watched in horror as I pulled wiring out of the wall and reconnected things with the lights still obviously on. "You aren't doing what I think you're doing, are you? I hope you're not."
And now a funny.
Navy electrician trainee is in the hospital laid up with serious electrical burns.
Chief comes to visit. "Kid, why did you do that? After all I taught you why did you do that?"
"Well Chief, I was trying to save some time. I've seen you save time by standing on one leg and working with hot wires so that's what I did. Why didn't it work?"
"Aww, kid, didn't you know I've got a wooden leg?"
[link|http://www.aaxnet.com|AAx]
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Post #214,170
7/11/05 10:47:42 AM
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Why you little.....(a la Three Stooges)
Loved the joke.
not the misogyny. (grrrr)
Got a story along the same lines, tho...
Was helping a friend install a ceiling fan and of course, after pulling the light fixture, realized that it wasn't set up for a fan, so had to put in a brace to support the load. Now, understand that I was about 8 months preggers and the only one with the know-how. What should have taken about an hour turned into 3.
Friend's hubby (who is an EE) says, " Guess you girls know what you're doing." Asshole never lifted a finger to help, I might add.
So I get up on that ladder and get the thing installed and it worked like a charm. Badda Bing, Badda Boom.
Oh, and I don't bother turning off the circuit breaker. I just turn the switch off and put tape over it so no one will accidentally flip it whilst I have the wires in me hand.
God, how I love working with electricity!!!
Peace,
Amy
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting 'Holy shit, what a ride!'"
.
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Post #214,177
7/11/05 10:57:15 AM
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EEs don't *work* with electricity
That's electricians you're thinking about. EEs are afraid to change a lightbulb without having the house mains disconnected by qualified personnel.
===
Purveyor of Doc Hope's [link|http://DocHope.com|fresh-baked dog biscuits and pet treats].
[link|http://DocHope.com|http://DocHope.com]
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Post #214,194
7/11/05 11:45:40 AM
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You keep forgetting...
I am an EE. My wife LOVES to watch me change outlets without turning off the circuits. Me: Dear where is the outlet you wanted me to change?
Karen: Right next to the Light in the Living room.
Me: The one by the end table not being used as an end table?
Karen: Yes dear.
Me: Okay.
[... few minutes go by ...]
Me: Damn... (pause) ewww... (pause) dammit...
Karen: Are you okay Hon?
Me: Yeah, I am just putting in the new outlet, I am fine.
Karen: Did you turn off the Electricity to the outlet?
Me: No, why would I do that, I just have to be careful. (pause) ... owww.
Karen: (now standing watching me a few feet away) Are you being Lazy again?
Me: Why no, what do you mean dear?
Karen: Nothing, I just wanted to make sure I had my wooden handled broom with me.
Me: Why would you OWWW... want that?
Karen: No particular reason.
Me: Oh come on, it is *JUST* 120V 60Hz AC, I can let go, now if it were 120V DC, then you'd need that.
Karen: Okay, Dear, you are the Engineer.
Me: (continuing to attach wire) dammint... I keep touching the ground when I am tightening the screws.
Me: crap... (as I drop the screw driver whence I get shocked again)
Me: weee, that was a good one...
Karen: Are you done yet?
Me: No Dear not quite... yeowzah... That hurt. (just finished tightening everything)
Me: No I just have to mount the new outlet back in the old box. (during the mount) Dammit I touched the frame(which is ground) and hot at the same time. Tripping the breaker. That bit me kind hard.
Karen: I told you you should have turned of the power.
Me: No way, it keeps me on my toes. --
[link|mailto:greg@gregfolkert.net|greg],
[link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] @ iwethey
[image|http://www.danasoft.com/vipersig.jpg||||]
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Post #214,224
7/11/05 1:49:31 PM
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Okay, I can't help this one, but ROFLMAO!!!!!
(with apologies to Barry)
My neighbor is in remodeling and I love his stories about the diff between 120V and 220V. 120V grabs a hold of you and hangs on for dear life. 220V knocks you across the room, cartoon fashion, hair frizzled and steaming and you say..."Wow....that was fun!" and the kids say..."Do that again!!!"
Peace,
Amy
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting 'Holy shit, what a ride!'"
.
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Post #214,183
7/11/05 11:15:07 AM
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Still gotta be careful
The black is a 'return' line, so the potential still exists to get shocked, depending on how it was originally wired. AC can be such fun!
[link|http://www.runningworks.com|
] Imric's Tips for Living
- Paranoia Is a Survival Trait
- Pessimists are never disappointed - but sometimes, if they are very lucky, they can be pleasantly surprised...
- Even though everyone is out to get you, it doesn't matter unless you let them win.
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Nothing is as simple as it seems in the beginning,
As hopeless as it seems in the middle,
Or as finished as it seems in the end.
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Post #214,196
7/11/05 11:48:48 AM
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Black is neutral, Plz-KThnkz!
--
[link|mailto:greg@gregfolkert.net|greg],
[link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] @ iwethey
[image|http://www.danasoft.com/vipersig.jpg||||]
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Post #214,225
7/11/05 1:54:41 PM
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No - black is *supposed* to be neutral
If you have a new house and you are the sole owner, black is probably reliably neutral everywhere. If you have an older house, and just one previous owner was a careless do it yourselfer, then any color wire can carry any kind of charge.
You need a meter and a good dollop of paranoia tempered with (un)common sense to work on such a house.
Serously, get a polarity tester (little pluggy thing with a couple lights on it) and walk around your house with it. If you are not the first owner, I will give you ten to one that at least one outlet shows up flipped.
"Whenever you find you are on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect" --Mark Twain
"The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." --Albert Einstein
"This is still a dangerous world. It's a world of madmen and uncertainty and potential mental losses." --George W. Bush
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Post #214,264
7/11/05 3:41:05 PM
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Yep.
And I've got at least one outlet in the house (38 yo house) that has flipped colors AND it stays slightly hot even after the circuit breaker is flipped. I haven't figured where it comes from yet, either.
Regards,
-scott anderson
"Welcome to Rivendell, Mr. Anderson..."
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Post #214,312
7/11/05 7:57:48 PM
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This is true.
My father (an electrician) was working on a friend's small factory, putting in ELCBs. He discovered some very peculiar cross-circuit wiring - like a set of lights on one circuit breaker using the neutral for another circuit. Took him a little while to sort that out.
Wade.
Save Fintlewoodlewix
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Post #214,233
7/11/05 2:21:19 PM
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Back when I passed the NEC test
in '78, my teacher always referred to it as the 'return'. It's a habit borne of age...
[link|http://www.runningworks.com|
] Imric's Tips for Living
- Paranoia Is a Survival Trait
- Pessimists are never disappointed - but sometimes, if they are very lucky, they can be pleasantly surprised...
- Even though everyone is out to get you, it doesn't matter unless you let them win.
|
Nothing is as simple as it seems in the beginning,
As hopeless as it seems in the middle,
Or as finished as it seems in the end.
|
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Post #214,193
7/11/05 11:43:52 AM
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I know
My rule is never touch both wires at the same time. That way, you never complete the circuit. I've installed ceiling fans, light fixtures, re-wired light fixtures and installed dimmer switches. I have a healthy respect/disrespect for electricity....got it from my grandfather who was a construction superintendent.
Never been shocked.
:)
Peace,
Amy
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting 'Holy shit, what a ride!'"
.
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Post #214,208
7/11/05 12:33:15 PM
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I'm convinced
my grandfather never really believed in electricity - he used to test circuits (including spark in cars) by grounding himself and touching the wires...
[link|http://www.runningworks.com|
] Imric's Tips for Living
- Paranoia Is a Survival Trait
- Pessimists are never disappointed - but sometimes, if they are very lucky, they can be pleasantly surprised...
- Even though everyone is out to get you, it doesn't matter unless you let them win.
|
Nothing is as simple as it seems in the beginning,
As hopeless as it seems in the middle,
Or as finished as it seems in the end.
|
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Post #214,198
7/11/05 12:04:10 PM
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8 months pregnant?
Good nothing went wrong or you'd be spending the rest of your life explaining where the kid got that curly hair.
[link|http://www.aaxnet.com|AAx]
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Post #214,203
7/11/05 12:20:14 PM
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Or maybe...
She'd >have< an excuse to blame it on the shocking...
Err... Sorry Chris... I should resisted here.
--
[link|mailto:greg@gregfolkert.net|greg],
[link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] @ iwethey
[image|http://www.danasoft.com/vipersig.jpg||||]
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Post #214,215
7/11/05 12:43:14 PM
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Amy makes it hard to resist
She conducts shockingly bad jokes.
Cheers,
Ben
I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)
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Post #214,218
7/11/05 12:50:15 PM
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So True.
Lightning rod tend to do the job they are designed to do, quite well.
--
[link|mailto:greg@gregfolkert.net|greg],
[link|http://www.iwethey.org/ed_curry|REMEMBER ED CURRY!] @ iwethey
[image|http://www.danasoft.com/vipersig.jpg||||]
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Post #214,227
7/11/05 1:57:41 PM
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Groan
No Peace,
Amy
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting 'Holy shit, what a ride!'"
.
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Post #214,245
7/11/05 2:37:39 PM
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Save that groan...
If admin gets going, you'll see why quickly and repeatedly.
Cheers,
Ben
I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)
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Post #214,251
7/11/05 2:54:10 PM
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Is admin king of the bad pun?
Then I shall have to moan and groan and oooh and ahhh and breathe heavily and and and Yes! Yes! YES! YES!
(Clearing throat)
Something like that.
Peace,
Amy
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting 'Holy shit, what a ride!'"
.
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Post #214,257
7/11/05 3:18:43 PM
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Better behave or I'll have to lock you back in the closet!
Worse sin yet, you need to make sure to reply to the correct message. Several of the posts have you replying to your own posts, not the posts that you intended to reply to.
As for admin, as long as he delivers the joke in a Spongebob voice, he can get a laugh. :-)
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Post #214,262
7/11/05 3:34:17 PM
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Wrong sponge...
... for what she has in mind.
Regards,
-scott anderson
"Welcome to Rivendell, Mr. Anderson..."
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Post #214,291
7/11/05 5:59:00 PM
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Oops!
Sorry about that, Chief. ;)
Peace,
Amy
"Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well-preserved body, but, rather to skid in sideways totally worn out shouting 'Holy shit, what a ride!'"
.
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Post #214,277
7/11/05 4:26:10 PM
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ICLRPD
Then I shall have to moan and groan and oooh and ahhh and breathe heavily and and and Yes! Yes! YES! YES!
Cheers,
Ben
I have come to believe that idealism without discipline is a quick road to disaster, while discipline without idealism is pointless. -- Aaron Ward (my brother)
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Post #214,152
7/11/05 9:19:45 AM
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"Friend" huh?
He married? You offering him dinner afterward?
Oh, I see I have somewhere else to be now. Nevermind.
===
Purveyor of Doc Hope's [link|http://DocHope.com|fresh-baked dog biscuits and pet treats].
[link|http://DocHope.com|http://DocHope.com]
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Post #214,241
7/11/05 2:33:21 PM
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"Good" Friend
Not married. Had dinner beforehand. Still holding off on dessert.
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Post #214,226
7/11/05 1:55:27 PM
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You can
tape over those outlets and run a long extension to better wiring elsewhere in the house.
"Whenever you find you are on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect" --Mark Twain
"The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them." --Albert Einstein
"This is still a dangerous world. It's a world of madmen and uncertainty and potential mental losses." --George W. Bush
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Post #214,246
7/11/05 2:39:24 PM
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Already did that
Problem is there is only one other outlet in the utility room, on the ceiling above the washer/dryer. Everytime I want to use the treadmill I have to climb up there to unplug the dryer. Big old pain in the butt.
Electrical work is the only thing I'm afraid to tackle in the house. I dont understand it enough and cant seem to wrap my brain around it.
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Post #214,373
7/12/05 8:16:04 AM
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If nothing else, the climbing is a good warm-up exercise :)
Two out of three people wonder where the other one is.
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Post #214,391
7/12/05 9:39:51 AM
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Yeah, until I fall off the dryer and break something else
I'm a bit of a bumble.
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Post #214,540
7/12/05 6:49:26 PM
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"Haven't you heard? Bumbles bounce!"
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Post #214,570
7/13/05 12:10:20 AM
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My stars.
Well spotted!
Now. 10 points for anyone else who can identify there that quote's from. :-) Hint: it was animated.
Wade.
Save Fintlewoodlewix
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Post #214,571
7/13/05 12:15:15 AM
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That's too easy.
We get bombarded with it on TV every (appropriate) season.
Cheers,
Scott.
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Post #214,594
7/13/05 9:09:44 AM
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Just put one foot ... in front of ... the oth-er
===
Purveyor of Doc Hope's [link|http://DocHope.com|fresh-baked dog biscuits and pet treats].
[link|http://DocHope.com|http://DocHope.com]
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Post #214,596
7/13/05 9:45:29 AM
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and soon you'll be walking out the door-or-or!
That one is still my favorite.
We have all those classics on video. I have a rule that we watch them only at Christmas time. Otherwise they loose their magic.
And BTW, this bumble doesnt bounce. She crashes and goes down like a rock. I dont care what Yukon Cornelious says.
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Post #214,599
7/13/05 9:57:39 AM
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ICLRPD (new thread)
Created as new thread #214598 titled [link|/forums/render/content/show?contentid=214598|ICLRPD]
===
Purveyor of Doc Hope's [link|http://DocHope.com|fresh-baked dog biscuits and pet treats].
[link|http://DocHope.com|http://DocHope.com]
|
