Notice the light on my tester, this is still live.
Incorrect, copper only rated plug. Starting to get pretty hot, look at the white insulation.
Lucky!! The metal tab on the plug melted. Stopping the flow of current.
Caught another one, see the inside of the box is blackened.
I was there for something else and could smell something burning. This is what I found, kind of a neat find as I don’t usually get to see this actually happening.
If your property does have a Federal Pioneer/ Stab-Lok breaker panel and aluminum wire please sit down and read on. The problems with both complement each other. When Federal Pioneer / Stab-Lok breakers fail, they will more often fail in the closed position (still sending power). The contacts sort of weld together. Aside from incorrect terminations of aluminum wire, there are many other situations where a breaker should trip for your safety. A breaker that can’t trip is dangerous.
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Aluminum, when incorrectly treated, oxidizes. Oxidized connections have increased resistance that acts as a heating element.
With the above two problems going on simultaneously, you have a situation that should trip the breaker to stop the flow of electrical current but it can’t so it keeps sending more current to the “element” in your wall.
I have seen many of these situations where, luckily, a wire or a jumper tab in a plug burned back and stopped the current flow. This situation that electricians don’t see is probably seen by firefighters. Though not advisable but if you prefer to ignore either of these issues at least make sure you have hard-wired, interconnected, battery backup smoke and carbon monoxide detectors where required. Give us a call to schedule a no-charge quick check.
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ALUMINUM REMEDIATION
Aluminum conductor cable was used in residential construction in the 1970s and 1980s as a cost-saving measure. Unfortunately, aluminum wire can be dangerous when it isn’t terminated correctly because it can oxidize. The oxidation causes resistance which in turn causes heat, then the heat causes more resistance causing more heat……You see where this is going.
There are a few important steps that must be followed when working with aluminum. Over the years switches and plugs can need to be changed or maybe someone installed a different light fixture. Aluminum requires specific AL-rated devices and even wire nuts that do cost more and may not even be available from the hardware store. You can see how the problems can start.
I have even corrected a house that looked nicely renovated, the homeowner even did everything right and had a home inspection before purchasing the house. I was called out to check some sizzling sounds and flickering lights. The entire house had incorrect devices and wire nuts installed that were not aluminum rated. The good news is that aluminum cable when treated correctly is safe and does not have to be replaced.
What we do:
- Remove every switch, plug, light fixture or anywhere we can find that a cable terminates. Inspect, clean, and apply the antioxidant compound and aluminum/copper rated wire nuts to install new modern decor style switches and plugs.
Draft prevention. While things are apart we take the opportunity to apply spray foam around and behind the outlet box inside the wall. This added step prevents condensation, increases comfort and saves you energy costs heating/cooling your home.
Finally, we install new unbreakable mid-size faceplates to give the finishing touch to the new switches and plugs. The slightly larger plates usually cover old paint lines and other imperfections. This can be done with much less disruption and cost compared to rewiring your whole house.
If you are unsure what type of wire is in your home call to schedule a no-charge (no kidding) quick check.
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Respect not only means for you and your property but also for the time we take to get the job done. We strive to achieve maximum value for you by working quickly and efficiently.
A BAD COMBINATION =
A PERFECT STORM
Two separate issues come together to make a dangerous situation.