Quote from: Russ on Jan 09 12 05:56
A loose wire causing a short or a ground.
I wondered about that with the LR outlet. The only thing connected is the lamp. I unplugged it every night so when the breaker was kicking off, that outlet wasn't being used. However, I've noticed over the past few days that when I plug the lamp back into the outlet I can either hear a small buzz noise or see actual blue sparks.
QuoteA breaker slowly wearing out due to its age
I've been in this house for 10 yrs. Before that, it sat unattended for many years. How many years does a breaker usually last?
QuoteMany 6 plug splitters?
I have at least 1 in all three bedrooms and 1 in the LR that's only because I don't have many outlets to begin with.... which I hate! Oh and the lamp isn't connected to a splitter. It's runs straight into the outlet on the wall.
QuoteOver time a breaker WILL wear out with a higher than average amperage running through it.
How do I find out what average my breaker should be running?
QuoteLike DDD said, check the wire connections with a screw driver to your breaker, the connections on the other end of the wires your breaker goes to (hopefully yours are labelled.
Yes, mine are labeled.
QuoteChange the breaker out. Like DDD said, Turn off the big breaker with teh power to your panel to make it dead. Just be aware when you turn it back on, depending on what power consumers you have in your house, you might have to reset things like your ac, furnace, etc.
When I do things like that, I wear gloves, check with a multimeter to make sure theres no power to the circuit, then go at it. If you cant use or get a multimeter, you can get those power pencils which you can touch to outlets or your wires in your breaker box, and if it lights up theres power.
I definitely doubt I'll being do this alone but I do think I'll hang around to see what I can learn and I intend to get one of those power pencils.... they sound safer.