So i plugged my computer into an outlet and sparks flew out of the outlet so i just had a guy come look at the outlet and he plugged something in and no sparks came out so he says its ok does this sound safe to use still ?
Outlet question
- Thread starter MadonnaLove
- Start date
If sparks flew when you plugged in your computer it could be a loose cable moving as you plug the cable in. If you can plug your computer in a different outlet without the same problem, have someone with a little real experience pull off the faceplate and inspect the plug (hopefully after disconnecting power). If the same thing occurs when you plug into another outlet - have someone check your adapter/computer.
BTW: The sparks flew out for a reason - something needs attention
BTW: The sparks flew out for a reason - something needs attention
A spark from an outlet can sometimes happen and not be a concern. For example if the outlet was in a high humidity environment and/or you plugged in a high draw appliance that was switched on (i.e. a hair dryer or kettle) a spark can occur.
Is the outlet tightly screwed into it's box? No jiggle at all?
Any visible damage to the outlet?
What is the age of the outlet or the house?
As per the IM469's suggested diagnoses, if the computer doesn't spark elsewhere (it's a low draw device, typically <.75A so it should never spark) and if plugging something else into the original device doesn't cause a spark (make sure you try both plugs and try a higher draw device switched on), then you should be okay.
But based on the current information it's not looking promising. If the outlet ever sparks again, or if there is visible damage, or if the outlet is more than ~25 years old, get a professional or experienced home-handyman to look at it. 25 years is a rule of thumb, many outlets function fine for 40+ years, but things do break.
Is the outlet tightly screwed into it's box? No jiggle at all?
Any visible damage to the outlet?
What is the age of the outlet or the house?
As per the IM469's suggested diagnoses, if the computer doesn't spark elsewhere (it's a low draw device, typically <.75A so it should never spark) and if plugging something else into the original device doesn't cause a spark (make sure you try both plugs and try a higher draw device switched on), then you should be okay.
But based on the current information it's not looking promising. If the outlet ever sparks again, or if there is visible damage, or if the outlet is more than ~25 years old, get a professional or experienced home-handyman to look at it. 25 years is a rule of thumb, many outlets function fine for 40+ years, but things do break.
This is the biggest scare tactic in the world.
Aluminum wiring is absolutely fine and safe if handled properly.
Problem is,...it was NOT handled properly,...why do you think it was banned.
You should even use receptacles approved for aluminum.
Aluminum and copper are not compatible, unless handled properly.
But not surprised when sparks flew when something was handled by Madonna
FAST
I just reread this. Are you saying visible sparks were seen OUTSIDE the outlet? Are you sure it wasn't just perceived that way and it was just the bright light from sparks inside the outlet?
I'm not trying to be difficult. Normally it takes serious voltage to create a large spark. Like 1000s of volts an inch. Usually in 120V outlets the spark occurs within 1-2 mm of the two metal parts which would normally be located well within the receptacle.
I wonder if it's possible you were seeing some molten metal metal being thrown out from the surface of the plug?? I've seen thrown metal from 600v. 120v can certainly damage a screwdriver.
If indeed you saw external sparks, I strongly suggest stop using the receptacle and have an experienced person replace it asap.
S
**Sophie**
When I read the title thread I for sure thought it was going to be about outlet malls lol. I'm such a girl
Problem is,...it was NOT handled properly,...why do you think it was banned.
You should even use receptacles approved for aluminum.
Aluminum and copper are not compatible, unless handled properly.
But not surprised when sparks flew when something was handled by Madonna
FAST
It's not that it was not handled properly.
There obviously wasn't enough testing done before the real world realized that aluminum wiring expands and contracts a lot more than copper does.
OK, then, maybe it was handled wrong!
My sister has aluminum wiring in her house (the parts she hasn't renovated yet).
Completely safe, you just need to know what you have and how to treat it.
I don't think they have receptacles specifically for aluminum, do they?
I know they have the heat sink paste, and specific merrets to connect aluminum to copper (the brown ones).
An electrician actually told my sister that for the aluminum outlets and switches, best thing to do is pig-tail a short piece of copper to the end with the proper merrets and paste, and then just use a normal outlet or switch.
Disclosure: I assisted a licensed electrician on weekends for ~10 years ending 10 years ago, so some of the following may now be dated. Yes, aluminum receptacles exist. They are marked CO/ALR or COLAR or CU - AL. I believe only licensed electricians can buy the receptacles, switches, fixtures and main panel parts. Most insurance companies will insist a registered electrician do the retrofitting in order to maintain your insurance.
There are indeed special marrets used along with anti-oxidant paste, pigtails with paste and crimp connectors pre-filled with a type of silicone goop (It was thought that the anti-oxidant paste might degrade with time - I don't know if this was indeed true). All connectors had to be replaced including the bonding conductor screwed into the back of each metal electrical box. The main panels required allot of work to retrofit.
What that electrician said to your sister is true. We retrofitted 250+ houses, 60% using this method. Fast, cheap and perfectly safe. Most electricians went the replacement route as it generated allot more revenue.
There are aluminum receptacle and switches. They are about 3x as expensive. You can get them at the Home Depot. Main difference is that they don't have the inserts on the back, only the mounting ports/screws. And the screws have a barbed type backing to grab the aluminum better. Saying that aluminum is dangerous is a scare tactic. Anything is dangerous if not done correctly.
Aliminum wiring expands and contracts too much which is why they stopped using it. Cold flow is I believe what they call it.
I'm not a girl and I thought the same thing...OUCH LMAO
I am a girl and I thought that too!
I also have an outlet in my house that sparks so I stopped using it a couple of years ago. I'm guessing I should have it looked at(?)
Aluminium wiring is 55x more likely the cause of electrical fires over copper - that isn't a scare tactic - it's a fact. It's still used in power distribution but the problem with house secondary wiring is that while it is safe if installed correctly, it is much less forgiving with mistakes. Knicks during splicing causes problems that can heat up and degenerate over time. Aluminum oxidizes but which is not conductive (unlike copper) so a connection with the oxide present will heat - expand then contract allowing more air/oxidation resulting in hotter and hotter connection over time.
I lived in a house with aluminum wiring - I was aware of it's faults and I made sure no one pumped up a fuse to get more power out of an outlet. Maybe I wasn't scared but I was wary about the differences.
WTF! What fool what ever, ever do that??
Did you beat them silly when they tried? Geeeesh.How is the computer? Sparks when you plugged it into the outlet doesn't sound positive for the health of the computer!
thank you yes external sparks came out I'm not using that outlet even though it didn't spark when the guy plugged in my fan …….. are my other outlets safe to use i don't know how old they are either
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