nbj wrote:
mc Wrote:
"nbj" wrote in message
...-
The A/C plug for my 10.000 BTU unit has started to get too hot. It
has
damaged two surge protectors in as many days. I noticed rge problem
after a recent power outage we had in the area a few days ago. The
plug
is molded in and the wire is direcrly connected to the wall unit.
Can I just replace the plug? Will it be safe to d so?
Please help!-
It is much safer to replace it than not to! If the plug itself does
not
have corrosion that you could clean off, then there's probably a
near-break
in the wires inside it. YOUR HOUSE WILL BURN DOWN IF YOU KEEP USING
IT. DO
NOT USE IT UNTIL IT'S FIXED.
Thank you! Yes, I HAVE unplugged it for now. I do not see any
corrosion on the plug, but there are tell tale signs on the plug
itself, like burn marks near the metallic part (the correct term
escapes me!), and the wire closer to the plug gets hot and soft as
well. Can replacing the plug be a SAFE solution, or will it still carry
some danger with it? How do I fix it if there is a near break in the
wires inside?
--
nbj
If the plug is damaged, you need to have the outlet replaced as
well. It may have been what caused the damage to the existing plug. I
ran into an air conditioner where it was used with an approved A/C
extension cord. There was excess plastic in the socket that only let one
side make contact. This made the connection run warm and melted the
plastic, which corroded the connection and fused the two connectors
together. If I hadn't found it and made proper repairs, there would
have been another electrical fire. I've lost two different breaker
boxes in the last eight years. One had the ground buss bar burn, and the
other box had the main breaker burn free of one of the two 120 VAC line
buss bars. Both were installed by licensed electricians and inspected
by the county, and a home inspection service before I bought the
property.
--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.
Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida