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    carmex22000's Avatar
    carmex22000 Posts: 20, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Jun 2, 2007, 10:16 PM
    Fuse box is warm
    I smell something like melted rubber or plastic. I finally found where it was coming from, which is my fuse box. The box feels warm (a little, not hot) and it smells like melted plastic. Is this something that could be dangerous? I'm scared to go to bed tonight, especially since it's located in my bedroom and I live in a mobile home. It's a 1993 model, if that helps on telling what type of fuse box it is. I'm going to get it checked out, but since this is Saturday night at 12:00 p.m. I'll have to wait until Monday to get it checked out. I hope it doesn't catch on fire, etc. Especially after I go to sleep. Please tell me what you think about this problem.

    Thanks for any help with this!

    By the way, it has breakers instead of fuses.
    go4011s's Avatar
    go4011s Posts: 6, Reputation: 1
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    #2

    Jun 2, 2007, 11:57 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by carmex22000
    I smell something like melted rubber or plastic. I finally found where it was coming from, which is my fuse box. The box feels warm (a little, not hot) and it smells like melted plastic. Is this something that could be dangerous? I'm scared to go to bed tonight, especially since it's located in my bedroom and I live in a mobile home. It's a 1993 model, if that helps on telling what type of fuse box it is. I'm going to get it checked out, but since this is Saturday night at 12:00 p.m. I'll have to wait until Monday to get it checked out. I hope it doesn't catch on fire, etc. Especially after I go to sleep. Please tell me what you think about this problem.

    Thanks for any help with this!!

    By the way, it has breakers instead of fuses.
    When in doubt, power-out. If you really want to avoid risk, shut off your power until someone can come out.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
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    #3

    Jun 5, 2007, 02:29 PM
    Hope you are still with us.
    Was it a loose, burnt wire?
    I bet you could see the problem.
    danielnoahsmommy's Avatar
    danielnoahsmommy Posts: 2,506, Reputation: 297
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    #4

    Jun 5, 2007, 02:31 PM
    With a warm box you are looking at a fire hazard. Feel the wall and see if that is warm now. Turn off all power and call an electrician
    carmex22000's Avatar
    carmex22000 Posts: 20, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Jun 5, 2007, 08:42 PM
    The box isn't real warm, just a little. I talked with an electrician and he said it was normal for a box (or rather the circuit breaker that goes to the dryer, in my case) to be a little warm when I am running my dryer. Thank you for responding, if I see that it gets very warm, I'll do as you said and turn everything off and call an electrician.
    carmex22000's Avatar
    carmex22000 Posts: 20, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #6

    Jun 5, 2007, 08:47 PM
    Stratmando, thanks for your concern, too. Yes, I am still with you guys. I don't know what the problem was, but it seems o.k. now. I don't know why I smelled the odor strongly that one time, but I am keeping an eye on it. If it puts out the smell anymore I will contact an electrician. I didn't see any burn wires, etc.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #7

    Jun 6, 2007, 01:49 AM
    This problem did not get better on it's own.The odor is a reason to have it checked before there is a serious problem. Many of the connections in a fuse panel are hidden, so a visual inspection is not sufficient.
    Stratmando's Avatar
    Stratmando Posts: 11,188, Reputation: 508
    Uber Member
    		  
    #8

    Jun 6, 2007, 07:48 AM
    Like others above, Problems usually don't get better on their own. Loose connections generate heat. Maybe pull breaker and look at contacts. I would tighten ALL conections in panel, neutrals, and at breakers
    Good to hear from you again.. Take Care
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