stevejl
Apr 16, 2009, 03:24 AM
Hi all.
I live in an apt. bldg, circa mid-1960's in Canada, have own conventional fuse panel in apt. with 6 fuses for outlets and lights, plus stove separate.
I recently bought a new surge-protected 7 outlet power bar (APC), plugged it in and connected a 2-prong plug to it (router) and got a fairly large spark at the location I was plugging into (did not go all the way in), and immediately pulled the plug away. This spark did not blow the fuse (on panel), nor trip the breaker on the power bar, nor damage the router, but now lights (both switched overhead incandescent and plugged in fluorescent/incandescent lamps) on the same circuit, plus others on a separate circuit/fuse have started flickering. I have disconnected and shelved the power bar (will exchange). A friend tested the power bar and it indicates hot/ground were reversed but it died and blew his circuit while he was testing it. I tried disconnecting the fuse on the circuit that I was plugging into, for 15 minutes or so, hoping that would reset something, but no luck.
What I wonder is what could be causing the lights to flicker now and what possible dangers might have been introduced? I have computer equipment on this circuit also.
Thank you for any advice.
I live in an apt. bldg, circa mid-1960's in Canada, have own conventional fuse panel in apt. with 6 fuses for outlets and lights, plus stove separate.
I recently bought a new surge-protected 7 outlet power bar (APC), plugged it in and connected a 2-prong plug to it (router) and got a fairly large spark at the location I was plugging into (did not go all the way in), and immediately pulled the plug away. This spark did not blow the fuse (on panel), nor trip the breaker on the power bar, nor damage the router, but now lights (both switched overhead incandescent and plugged in fluorescent/incandescent lamps) on the same circuit, plus others on a separate circuit/fuse have started flickering. I have disconnected and shelved the power bar (will exchange). A friend tested the power bar and it indicates hot/ground were reversed but it died and blew his circuit while he was testing it. I tried disconnecting the fuse on the circuit that I was plugging into, for 15 minutes or so, hoping that would reset something, but no luck.
What I wonder is what could be causing the lights to flicker now and what possible dangers might have been introduced? I have computer equipment on this circuit also.
Thank you for any advice.