Why outlets burn

Why You Have Burnt Outlets Have you ever met someone who enjoyed their bread to be toasted until it was only one degree north of burnt?

What a Burnt Outlet Means Some people see burn marks on their outlets and write it off as something that just accrues with age. If there are any chances of free-flowing energy from your wires, it can create an arc that will burn whatever conductor is nearby your outlet for example.

You have overloaded circuits. Is your home on the older side? If so, even if you made sure to outfit it with newer wiring, there is always a chance that the circuits of your electrical panel might become overloaded.

If this is the case, you may find certain outlets become overloaded by certain appliances that need to draw extra energy. Do you notice charred marks around your outlet? Or do you smell an acrid burning odor near a plug? However, if one of the metal parts becomes loose or damaged, power will escape and release sparks. This overheating process is called arcing. A common example of arcing is when the screw that holds the wire onto the terminal becomes loose.

This heat can be strong enough to melt or burn the plastic faceplate, or create a strong burning odor. Worn out wires: If your wires are worn, energy can escape and overheat your outlet through arcing or direct contact. He or she has the tools to safely check your wiring and replace any worn or incorrectly sized wires. There is an increased risk of accidents when homeowners avoid performing routine maintenance and scheduling safety checks with a certified electrician.

Sometimes homeowners come across outlets that are too hot to touch even when nothing is plugged into them. A hot outlet indicates an issue that requires immediate attention. It can happen due to loose or corroded wires, wetness, or unplugging something from an overloaded outlet, and may even result in a fire. If the outlets are wired correctly, have been tightly secured, and stand in perfect condition, the chances of it catching fire are bleak.

There are a few additional reasons the outlets become hot:. An outlet can become warm when used for electrical devices or appliances that have transformers to change the voltage output. If it remains warm even after the products have been unplugged, the outlet will have to be replaced. If there are too many appliances or devices plugged into an outlet, it can get too hot to touch. It happens when the circuit is overloaded with more current than it is designed to handle.

Worn out or wrong-sized wires can cause outlets to overheat and turn into a fire hazard.