Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    dx4530's Avatar
    dx4530 Posts: 37, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
    		  
    #1

    Dec 31, 2012, 10:45 PM
    Hot outlet
    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's Avatar
    smoothy Posts: 25,490, Reputation: 2853
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    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's Avatar
    Kyle_in_rure Posts: 341, Reputation: 10
    Full Member
    		  
    #3

    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's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
    		  
    #4

    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's Avatar
    dx4530 Posts: 37, Reputation: 1
    Junior Member
    		  
    #5

    Jan 1, 2013, 08:40 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by tkrussell View Post
    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's Avatar
    Kyle_in_rure Posts: 341, Reputation: 10
    Full Member
    		  
    #6

    Jan 1, 2013, 08:49 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by dx4530 View Post
    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's Avatar
    ballengerb1 Posts: 27,378, Reputation: 2280
    Home Repair & Remodeling Expert
    		  
    #7

    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.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Why is wire getting hot in outlet box? [ 4 Answers ]

This is my dryer outlet, I noticed a plastic smell today and found this plus the side of cover was slightly melted. This can't be normal, does anyone know what might be the problem? On a 30 amp breaker pole

Open hot outlet [ 2 Answers ]

I replaced an outlet in my basement. Put everything back together and it wasn't working. I plugged in a tester and it read "open hot". There were three white wires and three black plus a ground. I didn't have much wire to work with since I had to cut them to remove the old outlet so I connected...

Outlet is hot [ 1 Answers ]

I have an outlet with 2 spaces and the upper one is very hot and it smells bad. What is causing this and why only the top one hot and what about the smell? Can it catch on fire?

Outlet box is hot [ 3 Answers ]

I accidental drop a wrench, it hit the electric outlet box and it sparked. It seems the outside of the outlet box is energized. Should this box be ground to something like a water pipe If so, where do you run the wire too??

Switched outlet is always hot [ 3 Answers ]

I tried to split a switched outlet so the top is always hot and the bottom is controlled by the switch. I snapped the brass connector off and wired the neutral (with black tape) to one of the hot leads with a pigtail. The other neutral went to the silver terminal. Turned the circuit back on and...

View more questions Search