Somebody Know about Household Electrical Wiring?

[UTUSN]

It's an older house, built circa 1960. The previous owner had a fire (due to smoking, not the wiring). I've been here 15 years. There were some repairs done when it was readied for sale back then, but I don't know what besides the painting. There is NO sign of fire damage.

Lately, when I pull an electrical plug or move the thermostat temperature handle there are little sparks. Then everything is fine.

Do I need an electrician? What's going on? What will it cost? Is it anything?

[Massacure]

1. Sparks = bad.

Any spark gives a risk of starting a fire.

[Webster Green]

2. Yeah, sparks are not a good sign...

You need an electrician....the sooner the better!

[Shoeempress]

3. How much is it worth to you not to burn to death?

[supernova]

4. Call an electrician

and have him/her check the wiring. The cost will be nothing compared to fire started from wiring gone bad.

It could just be that the wiring is old and in need of replacement.

My house was built in 1954 and I wouldn't hesitate to replace the wiring if I thought it was faulty.

[UTUSN]

5. O.K., All. I'll Get on It. Thanks. Sorry for Sounding Stoopid(er). n/t

[RC]

6. Sparks where?

Un plugging what? Sparks are normal if you unplug something that is on and working. Sparks are normal in thermostats. You normally don't see them because of the cover and normal room light.
It doesn't look to me as you have a problem.
If the sparks are behind the cover plate, that is another story.

[sybylla]

7. My electrical expert hubby says don't discount static electricity too

Also, electronics with power supplies and transformers (built-in or as part of the power cord) are likely to spark or arc when you unplug them. Newer electronics almost always contain these types of devices.

Like you said, it's probably normal.


on edit: If you're worried, invite an independent home inspector to come and take a look. These people won't tell you that you have a problem just to get a few bucks out of you. Ask your favorite real estate agent for a referal.

[UTUSN]

8. Thanks, You Two

The only two places I am having sparks are when I plug/unplug a turned-OFF treadmill, a 3-pronged plug. The thermostat sparks are in moving the temperature setting handle, yes, at NIGHT (seeable). These sparks are outside the box. The other things plugged-in are never moved--lamps, etc.

[sybylla]

11. You're treadmill is gonna have a pretty kick-ass electrical motor in it

Sparking or arcing outside the box would be relatively normal when you unplug it.

[unhappycamper]

9. Weren't they using aluminum wiring then?

That stuff's bad news.

[Bemis]

10. Sounds line you have 2 different things happening

When you move the thermostat and see a spark the first question is, does it have a glass bulb with mercury in it? If so, that is somewhat normal and happens when you turn the temp higher to the point that it is calling for heat (or cooling).

The second item with the outlet sparking requires an electrician unless you are very comfortable working with electricity. That sounds like a broken outlet or a loose wire making contact with the side of the metal box.

If you do call an electrician I would go ahead and replace the duplex (outlet) since they are only a few dollars each and you will be paying them to come out anyway.

Actually if you do call an electrician I would have him(her) also replace the thermostat with a digital one that is also programmable. This would also help you lower your heating and cooling costs while eliminating that annoying sparking. Should be able to get one for under $100.