[Lynda1964]

My air conditioner was off, and my daughter went and turned it on. As soon as she pushed the power button on, she said there was a loud pop sound at the plug, and she said she saw a blue spark at the plug, and the air conditioner did not turn on. There is a green light on the plug that is usually on, but when this happened it went out. This has scared the both of us very much. I told my daughter not to touch the AC unit at all until I can try to get some answers about this. It is just my daughter and I, we have no family at all, and we have no one at all to ask about this. I am completely bedridden, so I am very concerned about this as I feel this may not be safe. Any idea as to why this has happened? My only theory is this. Since becoming disabled, I obviously can't cut the grass and I had no one else to cut the grass. The grass became very high, and I didn't know that would attract snakes and mice. But it did.The mice got in my house, and my daughter and I have been trying hard to get them out. We know they got into some of the walls, and my concern is could they have chewed any of the electrical wiring? If so, is this unsafe? What can happen? Could it have caused the AC to do what it did today? Should my daughter unplug the AC? Should she try to turn the AC back on again? I was scared for her to touch it. I would appreciate any help. It's very hard and very scary being in this condition (spinal injury) and can't do anything and have no one to help me besides my daughter who is just a young teen. So when ever there is a problem, we just don't know what to do. So if anyone can shed some light on this, we would really appreciate it. Thanks!

[creahands]

Hi Lynda,

If you have bare wires in the walls with electricity going through them there is a potential for an electric fire. This is not to scare you but to inform.

Have an electrician check out your electrical system for your own and your daughters safety.

Let us know the out come as there may be some other way we can help you.

Good luck

Chuck

[hfcarson]

Agreed.. you really do need to bring in a professional for this one...

[Stratmando]

Air conditioner may be OK. An Electrician should turn power off to that receptacle, remove receptacle, correct any damage wiring, replace the receptacle, and if it damaged the AC's cord, replace.
Short may just be inside the box, and was not caused by your daughter.
Good Luck
You could test the AC with an Extension cord, if 120 volts, #12 would be best, and wouldn't use smaller wire. Just a Test.