Wire Nut Arcing
Wire Nut Arcing - Loose Wires Inside = FIRE!
A wire nut arcing situation like you see in the photo above can kill you. The arcing can get so hot the actual plastic wire nut starts to melt. It doesn't take long before it's burning and the fire spreads to other breakers. WATCH the second video below to see a fire start INSIDE a wire nut!
Is Electrical Arcing Dangerous?
Yes, electrical arcing is dangerous and very serious. Electrical arcing is the same process used by welders to melt solid steel to create strong welds. The arcing in your home is not as big, but it creates enough heat to start a fire.
Circuit breaker crackling noise is arcing. The circuit breaker busbar is not making good contact with the prongs on the circuit breaker. Breaker box humming and sparking are symptoms of dangerous arcing.
Related Links
Arc Fault Circuit Breakers - Great SAFETY
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What Causes Electrical Arcing?
The invisible electricity in your house wires has power similar to that stored in the muscles of your body. The electric power wants to move towards the ground. Just as you can jump over a water puddle, the electricity can jump across an air gap between an energized wire and a screw, an energized wire and another wire, or an energized wire and some other piece of metal. When the electricity jumps across the gap, it creates sparks. This is electrical arcing.
How Fast Can Arcing Cause a Fire?
Watch this video to see how fast arcing starts a fire in a normal electrical box in your home:
Are There Special Breakers That Can Sense Arcing?
Yes, you can install arc fault circuit interrupter breakers in your panel to help keep you safe.
Is There Advanced Technology to Monitor My Home for Arcing?
Yes, there's a sophisticated device called Ting that plugs into an outlet in your home. Look below at the photo caption for a SPECIAL promo code. It connects to the Internet via WiFi. The device sends data about your electrical system to a company that monitors your entire home.
An app on your smartphone allows you to check the condition of your home's wiring at any time. Here's a screenshot of the app on my phone showing all is well:
CLICK or TAP HERE to get FREE BIDS from local electricians to check your house for electrical arcs.