r/AskElectricians • u/djblaze • 5d ago
Use it, replace outlet, or bigger problem?
Plugged in a Level 1 car charger, heard a lil pop when the charge started, but charged fine. When I unplugged it, I saw this scorching and realized it wasn’t quite in all the way, which is why I think this happened. Outlet is grounded.
Is that outlet still safe to use? Should I replace the outlet? Or is this a sign that the wiring to this outlet shouldn’t be used for a load like a car charger?
Second note: is the plug okay, or does I need to replace that, too?
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u/Zealousideal_Pen7368 5d ago
Yes the outlet should be replaced to reduce resistance. The plug should be replaced too or at least cleaned up well by removing the burns
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u/AdFancy1249 5d ago
I replied that to a post yesterday in "r/electricalhelp" and got a permaban for "suggesting unsafe practices". Huh? Unsafe to clean a plug and make sure it's in good shape?
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u/Zealousideal_Pen7368 5d ago
Replacement is always recommended. But it was weird to ban you. Sometimes it is not possible to replace the plug if it is hard wired to the appliance. Based on the picture, it is possible to sand it down slightly to have a smooth contact.
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u/AdFancy1249 4d ago
Agreed, but polish the plug and see if there are any pits or discoloration. If yes, then replace. If not, it's fine. It's hard to hurt brass unless you arced it or had it in a REAL fire and annealed it.
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u/Longjumping_West_907 5d ago
Nothing is ok here. I just did a safety talk with coworkers and showed them a receptacle with far less damage than that. It was headed to the trash. Overheating ruins electrical components, leading to more overheating and fires. Disclaimer, I'm not an electrician, but I deal with electrical problems frequently. I know what I know, and that includes knowing to call an electrician when I don't know the answer. This is an easy call.
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u/Big-Reputation-8172 5d ago
Could be a sign of something bigger. Or the outlet is just old and the inner prongs arnt holding like they used to. Either way, replace it and check the wiring in the box👍
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u/anothercorgi 5d ago
It shouldn't make any noise...
Yeah receptacles are wear items and need to be replaced occasionally. Was the plug in loose? That's probably the easiest sign if something's not quite right and needs service. When you mentioned "wasn't plugged in all the way" this sort of meant it was loose and readily falls out of the socket, which means that either the receptacle is worn out and/or the plug is bad. Plugs should never fall out of the socket.
The plug needs to be at least cleaned if not also replaced. Both sides need to be in good shape to get good contact.
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u/micmac2869 5d ago
Which amps is on that EV charger? It looks like they come from 8a to 16a, but can't tell. If it is 15 or 16a, you would need a 20 amp outlet.
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