On Wed, 27 Jun 2007 14:11:22 GMT, Phisherman wrote:

On Tue, 26 Jun 2007 20:52:42 -0700, "
wrote:

Hi,

It's really hot here tonight and my kids air conditioners upstairs
have me worried. The outlets that they plug into are actually getting
hot and the plug is hot to the touch when I pull it out and feel it.

I switched my son's plug to a newer plug in the bathroom that I had an
electrician put in. I know for a fact that that bathroom plug is
grounded and I trust that electrician. That one does not seem to be
heating up now. I had to run a long extension cord to reach it but
there is no heat anywhere now on that plug at either end.

In my kids room they have grounded outlets but I've always had
problems with the circuit breaker cutting off with the air
conditioners both running at the same time upstairs. It am wondering
if our upstairs rooms may have been a do it yourself job. It's a
dormered out attic and the work is not so great. Not bad, but not
great.

I'm no electrician, but it seems like those units are drawing more
current than the current wiring is capable of handling and it also
seems like they are sharing the same circuit.

Obviously it's time to call an electrician but I would appreciate any
feedback on the hot outlets and on how big a job it would be to redo
some of the wiring to that upstairs dormer.

Thanks in advance,
Steve

Thanks


This may or not be fairly simple. Appliances that draw lots of
amperage can make cords and plugs warm to the touch (my 11 amp vacuum
cleaner does this). Extension cords are intended for temporary use
only, and should not be used for larger appliances. You did not
mention the amperage of the A/C and this is important. Installing a
separate dedicated circuit for your A/Cs and an electrical outlet near
the unit is probably what is needed. Ask the electrician to do a
safety check of your existing wiring and to make cost-effective
suggestions. Also, your main needs to be examined to see if it can
take the extra A/C load, plus room for new breaker(s).

I know someone who thought she could use an electric heater on a #16
extension cord (the heater used 1500W and the label on the cord said
1875W). The ends of that cord got hot enough to soften the plastic.
--
Mark Lloyd
http://notstupid.laughingsquid.com

"Never underestimate the power of stupid
people in large groups"