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I heard some crackling noises from the wall near an outlet with nothing plugged in. The outlet felt warm for
awhile but then cooled off. It made me nervous since I don't usually use the outlet. Do I need to have it looked at?
I wouldn't wait too long with this
problem. It's most likely a simple repair (probably a loose connection), but if it goes too long without being addressed,
you could have a bigger issue on your hands.
How
many outlets can I install on a 15 amp circuit in my house?
In a residential application, there is no limit on the number of receptacles
you can install on a branch circuit – sizing is calculated based on the square footage of the room and its intended
purpose (kitchen, living room, etc.).
In
a commercial application, receptacle loads are calculated at 90 volt-amps (VA) per single receptacle, or 180 VA per each duplex
receptacle. If you size a circuit to 80% of maximum load, then you could install 8 duplex receptacles on a 15 amp circuit,
or 11 of them on a 20 amp circuit.
If
I have a 2-prong plug inserted in a 3-prong outlet, can my toddler get a shock from the exposed third hole?
No, the third hole is the
grounding connection. There is no electrical voltage present at this spot.
However,
you may want to consider upgrading all the receptacles in your house to the new tamper-proof design. They will protect your
little one without the need for those plastic inserts (which usually get lost). The receptacles are inexpensive and available
at most home improvement centers. Incidentally, these receptacles are now required by the 2008 Electrical Code for all new
construction residential dwelling units.
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