Know Your Arc Faults Part 3

         Safely tucked away behind the outlet and switch resides the one link to help transform a simple room into a warm and inviting living space. 

Switches and outlets are designed to tap into the electrical system in one of three ways, the first is through the use of terminal screws. 

Located on each side of a device, conductors or wires are looped around the terminal screw and secured in place. 

A second method is the clamp screw. Similar to the terminal screw type this design clamps the conductor in place rather than have it loop around. 

The final and least favored method is the stab-in type. This design allows the conductor to be inserted through a port on the back of the device, once inserted the wire is then held in place by tension. 

Though all three are proven methods for securing conductors to a device certain conditions can affect how long the wires remain in place. 

Improper installation and expansion and contraction are two leading causes of connection failure. 

In the case of stab-in devices its not always easy to detect when they will become faulty, the good news however is that stab-in types will either work properly upon installation or they won't. 

Since the conductor is reliant on tension and not a terminal screw, stab-in types are more likely to fail because of expansion and contraction. 

The next cause of failure is improper installation. 

You might think that a terminal or clamp screw would be less likely to be an issue but if the conductors aren't installed correctly or the terminal screws aren't tight enough you can and will have a problem. 

So how do we know if one of the devices has a connection problem? 

The first indicator is faint to dark soot marks on the face and cover of a device. Since outlets and switches are not completely encapsulated soot will find its way to the front of the device.

The next indicator is heat build up. When an outlet or switch is hot to the touch, this is generally a clear sign that something needs to be addressed immediately. If the device is extremely hot and looks discolored or warped, stop using it and call a licensed Electrician. 

Next is a sizzling or crackling sound. Not to be confused with normal arc faults, these sounds can sometimes be constant and will often but not always coincide with the smell of burning plastic. If you notice the smell of burning plastic coming from a device in your home call 9-1-1.

The last indicator requires removing the cover plate of the device. When there's been underlying issues behind a device traces of those incidents will often be left on the backside of the cover plate. 

Traces such as dark soot marks, charred or warped and melted spots may also be visible. 

These telltale signs should never be dismissed as mere coincidence, if you notice any of the above mentioned in your home be sure to have it looked at by a licensed Electrician. 

Problem solving with what cannot be seen is never an easy task but having the knowledge of what to look for and being aware will always give you the upper hand. 

I hope you've enjoyed this article, if you have any questions or comments please them below. Next up Part four.