On Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:46:23 GMT, (Doug Miller)
wrote:

In article , Eric in North TX wrote:
On Jul 2, 5:23=A0pm, flips333 wrote:
So I just moved into this new place and I have a problematic outlet.
I have pluged three fans into it and all three are busted. =A0The first
2 I immediately heard a clicking noise and then the fan wouldn't work
at all anymore. =A0Then My fiance called the fix it guy next door and he
came over and they plugged a third fan in. =A0It worked... Then after
the guy left (of course) the same clicking noise happened and the fan
started smoking. =A0Any Idea on what sort of problem with the outlet
could cause this?

PS aparently the people who lived here before me wouldn't plug
anything in there cause it would blow out the lamp.

thanks to anyone who can give me an Idea as to what to look for when I
bring someone in to fix it... or is it something I can do myself.

Is it near a window and has a pattern like this: (|- |)? If so it
could be 220v

That's not a 220V pattern -- that's 120V 20A.

It sounds like someone changed a 220V receptacle to a 120V. A voltage
tester would tell you in a second if this is the problem.

Actually building maintenance should be the one checking.