Re: Plug & Socket HOT - Why?


"Joseph Meehan" <sligojoe_Spamno@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:iAJqf.210716$Hs.39940@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>- Colonel - wrote:
>> OK, I know just enough about electricity to be dangerous, but this one
>> has me stumped.
>>
>> Today I had an oil convection electric heater (1500W) turned on in the
>> bathroom to heat up the room before taking a shower, and when I
>> unplugged it, I noticed the prongs of the plug were HOT. Probably like
>> 175°F hot...almost too hot to touch. Then I put my hand on the socket
>> and that was hot, too.
>>
>> Yet the cord to the heater wasn't even warm.
>>
>> If the heater uses 1500W I assume that at 125V my load is about
>> 12A...right?
>> It's an old house but the wiring is modern Romex.
>>
>> Why would the prongs of the plug and the socket get so hot? Resistance
>> in the plug? (The plug APPEARS undamaged, and we always pull it out by
>> grabbing the plug, not the wire).
>>
>> Should I put a new plug onto the cord?
>>
>> Is it likely there was resistance or a bad connection in the socket?
>>
>> Thanks for any clues.
>>
>> C
>
> As noted, the wires to the outlet (in the wall) may not be making good
> connections with the outlet (don't use a push in connector, use only the
> screw down type. It is also possible that the plug is not making good
> contact with the outlet. For both of these I suggest replacing the outlet
> with a commercial grade outlet (cost maybe $2.00 more than the cheap
> residential grade that is likely there now).
>
> It is also possible that it is just normal. However I would replace
> the outlet, in fact I have replace all my outlets that have heavy loads on
> them.
>
> I would question about putting a new plug on the wire. Is the current
> one molded on? The replacement may not be a good as the original. On the
> other hand replacing the entire cord with a new high quality cord is a
> possibility.
>
> --
> Joseph Meehan
>
> Dia duit

On any 1500 Watt heater I've ever owned, the plug and outlet always got warm
when run continuously on the 1500 Watt setting. At one location, it was a
new oil filled heater in a new house and all the outlets I tried had the
same result. I never trusted those things above the 900 Watt setting.

Bob


.

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