Like many people, you probably have a number of outlets in your Greensboro, NC home that aren’t usable. From outlets that spark or emit smoke to outlets that can’t be plugged into, most homeowners are unable to get full use of their electrical systems. Even with numerous receptacles in place, it may be hard to keep all of your appliances and devices powered up or charged. Read on to learn all about the most common causes of electrical outlet problems and how to resolve them.
Your Tamper-Resistant Outlets Are Malfunctioning
In North Carolina, many outlets throughout residential buildings are required to be tamper-resistant. It’s estimated that tampering with electrical receptacles is responsible for as many as 12 child fatalities each year and far more injuries. Tamper-resistant receptacles (TRRs) are designed to prevent severe burns and electrocution by making it impossible for children to push keys, silverware, and other loose items into uncovered and all-around unprotected outlets. Moreover, just as local building codes are increasingly requiring these features, many homeowners are opting to install them in areas where they aren’t deemed essential. Both retrofitting an existing electrical system and installing brand-new outlets with TRRs can be done relatively cheaply.
Unfortunately, much like child safety seals on medications and other tamper-resistant products, TRRs can be just as difficult to access and use for adults as they are for children. Thus, if you’ve just had new outlets put in or old outlets replaced and cannot seem to plug things in, this could be the reason why.
Tamper-resistant outlets have two spring-loaded shutters at their entry. These shutters automatically close whenever a plug is removed. They’re designed to prevent entry by anything other than a two-pronged cord. When you press a cord into a TRR, its spring-loaded mechanism should automatically engage in lifting the built-in outlet cover. In fact, for adults, using these features should be as easy and convenient as using standard outlets. If it’s not, the springs in your TRR may be malfunctioning. Malfunctioning TRRs should be inspected by a licensed electrician and replaced as needed.
The Outlet Is Too Tight
In an ideal world, universal outlet sizes would be a reality. Unfortunately, you’re guaranteed to run into both loose outlets and outlets that are overly tight. This is a frequent issue in older homes with outlets of varying ages. While older outlets have a tendency to be loose and can let cords slip right out or fail to provide an unhindered power supply, newer outlets tend to be overly tight. Fortunately, repeated use of these features will gradually break them in so that inserting plugs and taking them back out again is no longer a challenge.
The trick is being able to get a plug into an overly tight outlet for the very first time. You can try wiggling and finessing a plug-in on your own by first shutting off the power supply. You don’t want to ram it in or force it, but you can try tactics like approaching from an angle so that one prong connects first, turning the cord over, or applying a slight amount of pressure.
Plugging items into and back out of overly tight outlets multiple times should solve the problem. However, you should never attempt to widen a tight outlet by inserting any item other than an electrical plug. This remains true even when the power is switched off. Doing so could cause interior damage and a heightened risk of an electrical fire. It can also damage tamper-resistant components and prevent outlets from ever working at all. If applying a moderate amount of pressure doesn’t cause the plug to go in, contact an electrician instead.
The Electrical Outlet Violently Reacts When Used
Sometimes, not being able to use an outlet has less to do with the tightness of the receptacle itself or the functionality of TRRs. For instance, if you attempt to put a plug in and are greeted with a loud cracking sound and sparks, you should stop using the outlet altogether and schedule an electrical inspection. This is a sign of aging outlets and electrical malfunction. This issue is especially alarming if the outlet in question is left with singe marks or emits a thin, white smoke.
There’s an Obstruction
If you’ve just purchased existing construction or if there are multiple people using outlets in your home, what you might be encountering is an obstruction. Although it isn’t incredibly common, cord prongs can and do break off. If there’s a broken prong lodged in the outlet, attempting to force a new plugin will push the prong deeper into the receptacle and cause greater damage. Plastic prongs from outlet covers can also break off and become lodged in electrical receptacles. There’s also the possibility that a small child has placed a plastic toy or another item in the outlet if your home isn’t currently fitted with TRRs or outlet covers.
Electrical outlet obstructions should only be removed by licensed electricians. If they aren’t performed correctly, these projects pose the risk of severe electrocution and electrical burns. An electrician can also make sure that the obstruction hasn’t harmed the outlet and that the outlet remains safe for use after the blockage has been cleared.
Your Electrical Outlets Aren’t Made to Accommodate Your Cords
Residential electrical systems should be upgraded about once every 20 years. If yours hasn’t been replaced or improved upon in over two decades, there’s a possibility that your current receptacles will never be able to accommodate modern cords. Since the 1950s, electrical outlets have been designed with one slot larger than the other. Moreover, most modern plugs have one large prong and one small one. The larger slot in these outlets is neutral, and the smaller one is the “hot” wire. This difference in sizing ensures that the “hot” wire is tapped properly. It also means that new cords don’t fit into many older outlets.
Surprisingly, some older homes haven’t had their electrical systems upgraded in many decades. This is likely the case if your home still uses fuses and a fuse box rather than circuit breakers and a circuit breaker box. In this instance, scheduling electrical service right away will make your life easier. An upgraded electrical system will have a much better ability to accommodate your modern gadgets and appliances without shorting out. It will also have a much lower risk of causing electrical fires and other dangerous events.
The Outlet Wires Have Been Backstabbed Into Position
There’s also the possibility that your electrical outlets were never properly installed to begin with. To cut corners, sometimes less experienced electricians use a technique known as backstabbing. Rather than correctly anchoring wires to screws, they simply push or stab them into the tiny holes that are located at the back of the outlet’s receptacle. This can result in loose connections, burned-out wires, failed electrical circuits, and electrical fires. If you suspect that backstabbing is the problem, you should schedule an appointment to have all of your outlets inspected and rewired.
Backstabbing is but one of the countless problems that can occur when homeowners hire inexperienced, unlicensed, or unethical parties to perform electrical work. It is also a common issue when homeowners have performed electrical improvements themselves. Thus, if you’ve purchased an older home with loose outlets that won’t hold a cord or frustrating outlet blockages, this is quite possibly the reason why.
If you have damaged, blocked, or malfunctioning outlets in your Greensboro, North Carolina home, we’re here to help. We offer heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical services. To schedule an appointment, call Aurora Pro Services Heating, Air, Plumbing, Electrical, & Roofing today.
