Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Wired outlets, threw the breaker and heard a "POP'
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PopSaki
11-16-07, 01:57 PM
I just finished adding 3 oulets above the backsplash of a newly installed countertop. I tied into an existing nearby outlet. At each box I attached incoming lines to the top outlet and attached a new line to the bottom outlet screws which led to the next outlet where I repeated the process. I attached a ground wite to the box and tied all three ground wires with a wire nut. I wrapped electric tape around the outlet to cover the screws. When I threw the curciut breaker (15 amp) I heard a POP. the breaker did not trip. Everything seems to be working fine but I'm concerned.. What could have caused the popping noise? How can I check for any problems that might have cause the pop?
Should i take everything apart and inspect?
TIA
Steve
Should i take everything apart and inspect?
TIA
Steve
John Nelson
11-16-07, 02:29 PM
I tied into an existing nearby outlet.Maybe or maybe not legal. More detail needed.
At each box I attached incoming lines to the top outlet and attached a new line to the bottom outlet screws which led to the next outlet where I repeated the process.So far, so good.
I attached a ground wite to the box and tied all three ground wires with a wire nut.Still good.
What could have caused the popping noise? How can I check for any problems that might have cause the pop?"Pop" is pretty vague. How loud was it? Where did it appear to come from? What did it sound like? There's just too many possibilities to know the answers to your questions. It might be okay.
At each box I attached incoming lines to the top outlet and attached a new line to the bottom outlet screws which led to the next outlet where I repeated the process.So far, so good.
I attached a ground wite to the box and tied all three ground wires with a wire nut.Still good.
What could have caused the popping noise? How can I check for any problems that might have cause the pop?"Pop" is pretty vague. How loud was it? Where did it appear to come from? What did it sound like? There's just too many possibilities to know the answers to your questions. It might be okay.
racraft
11-16-07, 02:42 PM
What do you mean by "I attached a ground wite to the box and tied all three ground wires with a wire nut.[sic]" ?
Ground wires are not white. They are bare copper or green.
Ground wires are not white. They are bare copper or green.
core
11-16-07, 02:47 PM
Maybe or maybe not legal. More detail needed.
15 amp breaker? I think that pretty much answers that question unless this countertop is in an unusual location.
Steve, are these receptacles GFCI protected?
Where is this power source is that you tapped into? Which room is this in? And if this is not a kitchen nor bathroom, what's the distance to the nearest sink?
15 amp breaker? I think that pretty much answers that question unless this countertop is in an unusual location.
Steve, are these receptacles GFCI protected?
Where is this power source is that you tapped into? Which room is this in? And if this is not a kitchen nor bathroom, what's the distance to the nearest sink?
lenkearney
11-18-07, 06:37 PM
I am not an electrician- but that doesnt sound good. The pop could have been caused by the hot line touching a ground- the pop would have been a spark and a small amount of metal burning off. this could be dangerous. It neds to be taken apart and checked out.
Remember, the breaker protects the line from burning up - it is not a ground fault interrupter.
did you buy one of those outlet testers to see if you wired the outlets correctly?
Remember, the breaker protects the line from burning up - it is not a ground fault interrupter.
did you buy one of those outlet testers to see if you wired the outlets correctly?
PopSaki
11-19-07, 09:48 AM
What do you mean by "I attached a ground wite to the box and tied all three ground wires with a wire nut.[sic]" ?
Ground wires are not white. They are bare copper or green.
Typo, ground WIRE, no Wite....
Ground wires are not white. They are bare copper or green.
Typo, ground WIRE, no Wite....
PopSaki
11-19-07, 09:56 AM
15 amp breaker? I think that pretty much answers that question unless this countertop is in an unusual location.
Steve, are these receptacles GFCI protected?
Where is this power source is that you tapped into? Which room is this in? And if this is not a kitchen nor bathroom, what's the distance to the nearest sink?
These outlets are above a counter I added in the kitchen.
Its on the wall away from the sink (about 12 feet) Its next to the fridge. There was a 15 amp outlet on this wall that I tied into. It would be used for small kitchen appliances.
These 4 outlets are only 15 feet from the curciut panel box.
Would I be better to run a seperate breaker?
I'll take everything apart and check the wiring.
It did sound like a short I was just surprised that the breaker didnt trip...
Steve
Steve, are these receptacles GFCI protected?
Where is this power source is that you tapped into? Which room is this in? And if this is not a kitchen nor bathroom, what's the distance to the nearest sink?
These outlets are above a counter I added in the kitchen.
Its on the wall away from the sink (about 12 feet) Its next to the fridge. There was a 15 amp outlet on this wall that I tied into. It would be used for small kitchen appliances.
These 4 outlets are only 15 feet from the curciut panel box.
Would I be better to run a seperate breaker?
I'll take everything apart and check the wiring.
It did sound like a short I was just surprised that the breaker didnt trip...
Steve
racraft
11-19-07, 10:54 AM
So is it a 15 amp breaker, or 15 amp receptacles that you tied to?
In this case, in the US, the receptacle size does not have to match the circuit breaker size.
What size wire did you use?
In this case, in the US, the receptacle size does not have to match the circuit breaker size.
What size wire did you use?
core
11-19-07, 06:47 PM
In post #1 it was said "When I threw the curciut breaker (15 amp) I heard a POP" so I'm guessing it was in fact a 15A breaker.
* If this was instead a 20A breaker please make that clear. *
By the way if this is only a few feet from the main panel, and if it's easy to get to, I'd just do it right with a new 20A circuit, 12ga wire. Even if you are unwilling to bring the whole kitchen up to code at this time.
* If this was instead a 20A breaker please make that clear. *
By the way if this is only a few feet from the main panel, and if it's easy to get to, I'd just do it right with a new 20A circuit, 12ga wire. Even if you are unwilling to bring the whole kitchen up to code at this time.