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    Fieldmouse69's Avatar
    Fieldmouse69 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    May 31, 2012, 07:11 AM
    Water got into floor outlet - sparked, smoked & fried surge protector plug
    Hi. When water went into the floor outlet, it buzzed and lights blinked that were plugged into the surge protector and it started sparking and smoking. It didn't blow the breaker. I unplugged the surge protector and the plug was charred. Hubby tried to sop up water in outlet with paper towel and it buzzed and sparked again with nothing plugged into it. My question is, when it dries out, will the outlet be safe to use again or should we have it replaced? It normally is hidden under a sofa. Thanks so much.
    smoothy's Avatar
    smoothy Posts: 25,492, Reputation: 2853
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    #2

    May 31, 2012, 07:24 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Fieldmouse69 View Post
    Hi. When water went into the floor outlet, it buzzed and lights blinked that were plugged into the surge protector and it started sparking and smoking. It didn't blow the breaker. I unplugged the surge protector and the plug was charred. Hubby tried to sop up water in outlet with paper towel and it buzzed and sparked again with nothing plugged into it. My question is, when it dries out, will the outlet be safe to use again or should we have it replaced? It normally is hidden under a sofa. Thanks so much.
    He's lucky he didn't electrocute himself doing that... I would replace that particularly if its wet for any amount of time... and turn that breaker off if you know which on it is (and if you don't then find it) until its completely dry... as long as there is water there you run the risk of a fire if the breaker fails to pop.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
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    #3

    May 31, 2012, 08:09 AM
    Yes, the device will need to be replaced, and the wiring checked.

    The buzzing is caused by arcing which has damaged either or both the wiring and receptacle.
    stanfortyman's Avatar
    stanfortyman Posts: 5,598, Reputation: 279
    Electrical & Lighting Expert
    		  
    #4

    May 31, 2012, 04:36 PM
    The receptacle was probably full of crud which is what shorted out when it got wet. The water alone would not have done that.

    I would replace it no question, and keep the caps on when it is not in use.
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