View Full Version : Hot outlet
dx4530
Dec 31, 2012, 10:45 PM
My outlet (which is wired with the "push-in" terminals on the back) were I plug in my heater gets warm/hot ,the higher I set the heater the hotter the outlet gets (120 volt) ,additionally the same thing mentioned above happens with the 2 prongs (for example when I remove the cord from the outlet and the heater it set to the highest number it will be so hot that you can't touch the prongs for the first 30 - 60 seconds till it cools down the outlet itself gets hot but I can touch it )
I assume this is normal and I've used it many times in the past ,I don't live in a old house and I never had a problem with bad wiring so I doubt there's resistance or corrosion inside the outlet and as far as I know if it were the case I would hear it or smell it to some degree...
My point is am I correct with the above assumption?
smoothy
Dec 31, 2012, 10:52 PM
This is not normal... I've never had an outlet get hot before as you describe.
I see this as a very real risk for an electrical fire. Stop using this outlet until you can have an electrician look at it.
Kyle_in_rure
Dec 31, 2012, 11:02 PM
An outlet getting a little warm may be normal, but it should never be too hot to touch. I suspect you might have a bad or loose connection at the receptacle; maybe it is wired with the "push-in" terminals on the back. At the very least I would have a qualified person replace the receptacle first. Then see if the problem continues. Until then, I wouldn't use it.
tkrussell
Jan 1, 2013, 04:35 AM
The push in connection is the root of the problem, the loose connection is causing the heat with the high amp load of the heater.
Have the receptacle wiring changed from push in to wrapped around the screw type connection. The heat may have damaged the device and it needs to be changed. Any other receptacles on the circuit upstream from this heater should be checked also, as those connection can be loose or affected by the amp load, and are heating up.
dx4530
Jan 1, 2013, 08:40 AM
The push in connection is the root of the problem, the loose connection is causing the heat with the high amp load of the heater.
Why do you interpret 'push in connections' as loose wires??
Kyle_in_rure
Jan 1, 2013, 08:49 AM
Why do you interpret 'push in connections' as loose wires???
Receptacles wired with the push-in connections on the back, rather than using the screws on the side, are known to develop loose connections.
ballengerb1
Jan 1, 2013, 10:04 AM
A push in connection has much less surface area making the connection. A wrap around the screw approach has 3x the surface area, more solid connection with less chance ofarcing.