electrical foo

[jaeclectic]

It looks like I'm going to be losing internet access for a bit, because I need to turn off the circuit breaker that controls the outlet where the cable modem is plugged in (and it would be a far from trivial exercise to move it or to run an extension cord that far).

The story:

There is a particular outlet in the kitchen that I've had trouble with twice before -- trouble meaning it suddenly stopped working, and then just as suddenly started working again. Both times I though "oh I must get this looked at" and then immediately forgot about it as soon as it was working again. (Outlet number 1 -- microwave and phone/answering machine.) Then today, the next outlet down the wall did the same thing, just suddenly stopped working. (Outlet number 2 -- coffee maker and tea kettle.) A bit later, outlet #1 went out as well, which is especially annoying because then the phone is off, and it's really inconvenient to move the phone because it needs the phone line as well.

So far, all annoying rather than scary.

I brought a power strip into the kitchen, and plugged it into an outlet on a different wall, and plugged the phones (three plugs: answering machine, separate wireless phone, and cell phone charger) in there -- wires dangling across the kitchen entrance, very unlovely, but I figured this would do until tomorrow when I would need to call an electrician. (Outlet number three: normally unused, now pressed into service.)

OK, so then I wanted to use the microwave. So I also plugged it in to outlet number 3 and start cooking my dinner. Result: smoke coming out of the wall.

I unplug everything, get a screwdriver and take the cover off, and convince myself that I don't need to run screaming down the hall to see if any of my neighbors have a fire extinguisher.

Meanwhile, my dinner is half cooked. At this point, weirdly, the outlets on the other side came back to life (which I could tell because the electric kettle started boiling). So I moved the microwave back to see if I could finish cooking my dinner before something else happened. Result: sparks coming out of outlet number 3, the one which no longer has anything plugged into it.

Now I'm really kind of creeped out.

Obviously the whole circuit is screwed up somehow. I've got a call in to an electrician, but I don't think they return calls on Sunday evenings. There are some numbers in the yellow pages that advertise 24-hour emergency service, but it doesn't quite seem like that much of an emergency. I think if I just leave the circuit turned off, it should be safe. But this means about half of the outlets in my apartment will not be working. Including the modem and wireless router, as noted above.

So, signing off for now, and going to go switch off the circuit and then move the phone again! If you have any advice for me, call my cell rather than comment :/

Comments

[bulieb.livejournal.com]

Yikes! No advice, only -- yikes! You are very brave not to run screaming. AND you should have your own fire extinguishers, silly girl!

[jafitz.livejournal.com]

Yes, it was scary when it happened, and even scarier the more I thought about it. And fire extinguisher is on the shopping list now, for sure.