I installed two new receptacles in my basement over the weekend. I branched off of an existing receptacle (incidentally, one with gfci protection), making sure to ground both of the new receptacles. All 3 receptacles are in a line, on the same 20 amp circuit, there is nothing else on this circuit. I noticed that when i plug anything in to these receptacles that is already “turned on”, such as a lamp or a battery charger, that i get a bit of a flash and a little bit of a pop. but everything seems to run fine (eg, normal operation and no tripping of either circuit breaker or gfci). if i plug in the lamp in the off position and then turn it on, it also seems to run fine. but i am a bit concerned by the flash and pop when i plug something in thereby immediately closing a circuit. is this normal? if not, what “problem” might this be symptomatic off in my wiring? is there any risk in using the 3 receptacles on this circuit?
thanks much for any insights.
Replies
Loose wires in those connections?
Do same appliances or fixtures do the same in other circuits?
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
loose wires -- possible, though i thought i gaurded against that. sounds like i should double back and check my work. given that it occurs at all 3 receptacles, might this be indicative that the problem lies at the first receptacle in the circut, or does this fact not tell me anything? thanks.
It's just a slight arc from the power jumping the gap before the plug is fully inserted. This is why we in Canada, are now are required to install "arc-fault" breakers for the bedroom outlets.
locolobo; Edmonton, AB
does this mean then that its likely not from loose wires? is there anything that i should do about it? does it present a dangerous condition? thx.
Not to be sarcastic, but you should not plug or unplug devices that are "ON". If that is the only time you see this occur, that is the most likely culprit.
By the sounds of it, it is not loose wires. It is not dangerous unless you keep an open jerry can of gas nearby. Just try to make sure that your appliances are turned off before plugging them in.
The reason for the arc-fault breakers is; (IMHO) a group of manufacturers got together and conned the government into changing the code in order to sell their product. We went for umpteen years without a problem without these things, but let an "engineer" put a bug up a paperpushers backside, and almighty chaos erupts and "we gotta protect our kids from the possibility of a spark from plugging in the TV from starting a major conflagration in the home".
The next thing you know, they're gonna outlaw smoking in the home, because "smoking is a major source of ignition for home fires". Never mind the fact that there are already a number of sources of ignition in the average home that are not even taken into account. Look into a toaster and see the glowing hot red elements; check out the elements on the electric range; check the pilot light on the furnace; portable heaters; electric kettles; I could go on and on.
That's why I went back to building decks and doing finishing carpentry. There is just too much interferance by the government idiots into the electrical trade, and I just got real sick of it!! I did an apartment building in Langley, BC; by myself and 2 apprentices. I had 17 inspectors looking over my shoulders, who needed everything explained in words of 1 syllable or less; and I gave up on the industry at that point. I drove truck (long-haul) for the next 10 years. (very therapeutic)
locolobo; Edmonton, AB
Sounds normal.
My Panasonic battery charger has a switching power supply and thus a large capacitor on the front end.
If it has not been plug in for a while that the cap is discharged it will cause a very noticable arc and pop.