arcing sound and flashes of light from a power point at 2:30AM - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2011, 12:45:09 am
content: So i was woken up this morning by the sound of arcing and flashes of light in the bedroom.Few minutes after i got up i noticed a horrific burning smell.It was pretty obvious it was coming from a 230v wall socket which also happened to be bleeding down the wall.See pics below of what i found

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2011, 12:51:35 am
content: thats freak! what the hell is that? i thought this is microsoft powerpoint topic.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2011, 12:57:58 am
content: hehe, yeah, we call them power points over here.I'll edit it a bit.It's a large garden slug of some sort. Must have come up from outside through the inside of the wallYou can click the pics to zoom in a bit.

author: the_raptor
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2011, 01:33:44 am
content: I have seen lots of mice/rats kill themselves with electricity that is the first slug I have seen.

author: tyblu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2011, 01:36:09 am
content: wtf man.

author: ColinA
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2011, 01:45:26 am
content: Interesting to see the use of stranded wire.Solid wire is used here in the states. Stranded wire is only used on the larger feeders.

author: PetrosA
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2011, 01:46:31 am
content: That's nasty lookingHere by code we're not allowed to leave more than 1/8" (approx. 3mm) gap between the box and the wall. I always assumed it was to prevent flame from getting out, but maybe it's to prevent critters from getting in? I think I would get some spray foam insulation or caulk and fill in those gaps if I were you...

author: tyblu
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2011, 01:47:24 am
content: Quote from: ColinAStranded wire in Alberta, BC, and what I've seen in Washington and Oregon.

author: JohnS_AZ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2011, 02:06:32 am
content: The thing that caught MY eye was that there's no strain relief/clamp where the Romex comes through the metal box knock-out. That would be a BIG electric code fail over here. That might be where the slug got from inside the wall to inside the box.What would freak me out ... how the hell did it get into the wall?!?!

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2011, 03:02:27 am
content: Quote from: JohnS_AZ on January 14, 2011, 02:06:32 amQuote from: PetrosA on January 14, 2011, 01:46:31 amYeah, i'm sure it would be illegal here too for any new construction. The wiring in the house would have been installed at least 40 years ago, before all the regulations that exist today.

author: PetrosA
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2011, 03:17:49 am
content: Actually, stranded #12 and #10 is very common in the US, but not in manufactured cables other than SO cord or similar (like an extension or power cord). Other than that it's only allowed in conduit so the average homeowner outside of Chicago wouldn't have seen it. I do wish they'd make some two wire stranded cables rated for the same types of useage as NM (Romex) though... it would make wiring low voltage lighting systems cheaper and easier!

author: Lance
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2011, 07:43:09 am
content: What the crap? That's rather bizarre. One question is, why was the slug in there to begin with?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2011, 08:46:23 am
content: Quote from: Lance on January 14, 2011, 07:43:09 amOtherside of the wall is outside so he must of found a way in and crawled up inside the wall.

author: CryptLordGR
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2011, 09:04:55 am
content: electrified slug... miam miam.. i think it wouldnt taste good and must smell awful

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2011, 09:42:15 am
content: Quote from: CryptLordGR on January 14, 2011, 09:04:55 amIt did, the smell was horrific.

author: scrat
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2011, 09:52:18 am
content: Quote from: PetrosA on January 14, 2011, 03:17:49 amQuote from: ColinA on January 14, 2011, 01:45:26 amHere in Italy I saw solid wire only into (very) old installations, that's interesting to see that this is not the rule.During my summer jobs as an electrician (industrial stuff) I never saw one solid wire at all.I think stranded wire is far more reliable since the solid one is easier to break, and old (solid) cable I have at home caused many problems just because of that. It is also electrically better, even if at 50-60 Hz no one cares...However, there must be a reason for using solid wire, I don't think American people are stupid...Maybe the possibility of leaving some small wires outside the clamp?

author: GeoffS
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 14, 2011, 11:11:53 am
content: Quote from: ColinA on January 14, 2011, 01:45:26 amThe local wiring rules (AS/3000) don't seem to specify whether stranded or sold wire is used, just the cross sectional area of the wire.That powerpoint/GPO looks ancient, I can believe 40 years. I'd certainly replace it - rather have it replaced by a licensed electrician

author: ColinA
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2011, 11:53:52 am
content: I'm used to seeing stranded for raceway installations. Just never seen stranded in residential applications before.Anywhere else use aluminum wiring in the 60-70's?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2011, 12:57:51 pm
content: Quote from: GeoffS on January 14, 2011, 11:11:53 amThe whole multistory house is full of them, that room alone has 7 of those double plugs.They're very common in old bungalows, although not in that quantity per room.Someone seems to have gone nuts adding powerpoints, which im sure at the time it was done would have seemed insane. Its actually quite nice today though, with so many electrical devices.

author: apex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2011, 07:25:37 pm
content: I think it would smell really strong and powerful!apex

author: RayJones
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2011, 10:28:24 pm
content: Quote from: GeoffS on January 14, 2011, 11:11:53 amI always use the bloke I found in the local paper

author: Polossatik
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2011, 12:11:43 pm
content: Must be a cultural thing..All mains (normal 230 V 16-32 amp stuff) wiring in .BE i have seen ( including how it is tough here at technical schools ) is done with solid wires.