*eep* Extension cord from Christmas tree just melted in wall outlet

[Homerboy]

Thank Jeebus we were home to catch it.

Odd though. Same cord we have used for years. (actually built/designed for tree usage). Not any more lights than ever before. Plug got so hot it melted and one prong was left in the outlet when I yanked it out.

Also see: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=32761839#post32761839

 

[JJ650]

Infinity link

 

[XZeroII]

Wow, that's lucky. I'm glad that I won't be hearing about a house fire on the news tonight. Merry Christmas bro!

Edit: FYI, I'm in Waukesha.

 

[dmcowen674]

*eep* Extension cord from Christmas tree just melted in wall outlet

Thank Jeebus we were home to catch it.

Odd though. Same cord we have used for years. (actually built/designed for tree usage). Not any more lights than ever before. Plug got so hot it melted and one prong was left in the outlet when I yanked it out.

Also see: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?p=32761839#post32761839

Wow

You were more fortunate than in the town where I grew up.

The guys in my old firehouse made a good stop on a house fire this morning.

 

[Gothgar]

pics?

 

[Homerboy]

Infinity link

unfamiliar.

 

[Homerboy]

pics?

Not much to see really. Some melted green plastic and a missing metal prong.
If I wasn't home... you could probably see the pictures on a news report.


Hopefully I cna find a replacement cord on sale tomorrow though!

 

[theprodigalrebel]

Click on the link in your original post.

 

[herrjimbo]

Wow, that's lucky. I'm glad that I won't be hearing about a house fire on the news tonight. Merry Christmas bro!

Edit: FYI, I'm in Waukesha.

fellow wisconsinites.

i am in oak creek

 

[Pardus]

"Hello Operator, I need the number to 911"

 

[infoiltrator]

Since it melted the plug I expect pulling the cord out by the wire broke or freed enough strands to make a high resistance - heat.

A plug in outlet switch for your next extension might help, if you can reach it. I would replace the outlet on general principles and use other socket till replaced.
Just ..

 

[spidey07]

No fuse in the tree or lights? That should have prevented this. Unless the cord itself shorted.

 

[dawp]

Thank Jeebus we were home to catch it.

You should never run you lights when you're not home or when you're asleep. Always unplug before going out or going to bed.

 

[Twista]

Install a new socket before you use it again as said above.

Should be good to go. We just had this happen a few days ago, but only it was a plug in space heater. Melted the crap out the socket and smoked a little.
Electrician checked some stuff and just installed a new socket.

 

[Squisher]

Converting to LEDs has eased my mind a lot with regard to Christmas light energy consumption be it inside or outside.

 

[AlienCraft]

Thank Jeebus we were home to catch it.

Odd though. Same cord we have used for years. (actually built/designed for tree usage). Not any more lights than ever before. Plug got so hot it melted and one prong was left in the outlet when I yanked it out.

Corrosion on the plug from months of inactivity contributed to the increased R that led to the overheating. The normal wiping action of plug /unplugging cycles just isn't there in a cord used so specifically.

Same thing happens in a patch bay in an analog recording studio environ.