Turn off the breaker before you touch the plug. A scorched or melted outlet means a connection got hot enough to damage plastic, and pulling a plug from a live, damaged outlet can cause an arc or a shock. Once the power is off, leave the appliance unplugged until both the outlet and the appliance's cord have been checked.
Do this first
- Switch off the breaker for that outlet. If you can't tell which breaker it is, turn off the main breaker.
- If there's smoke, flames or the smell is getting stronger, leave and call 911.
- Unplug the appliance only after the breaker is off. Grip the plug body, not the cord. If the plug is fused to the outlet, leave it in place.
- Don't plug anything else into that outlet.
In the next few hours
- Look at both sides of the connection. Darkened or melted outlet faces, discolored cover plates, blackened plug prongs and stiff or cracked cords are all heat damage. The Electrical Safety Foundation says a burning smell, discolored switches or warm outlets could be signs of a serious wiring problem (ESFi).
- Call a licensed electrician for the outlet and wiring. ESFi advises hiring a qualified, licensed electrician for electrical work in the home.
- Plan on the appliance's cord or plug being checked too. The U.S. Fire Administration says that if an appliance has a cracked, damaged or loose cord, the appliance should be replaced (USFA). On many appliances, such as electric dryers and ranges, the cord itself is a replaceable part, and a technician should also check the terminal block where it connects.
- Protect the food if it's a refrigerator or freezer: keep the doors closed, and move food to coolers if the fix won't happen today.
- Photograph everything before anything is replaced.
Before the technician arrives
Note:
- The model and serial number. Fridges: inside on a wall or ceiling. Dryers: inside the door opening or on the back. Ranges: on the frame behind the oven door or the storage drawer.
- Which part looked worse, the plug or the outlet. Heat damage that's mostly on the plug side can point to the cord or the appliance's connection.
- Whether the appliance had been acting up: flickering, tripping breakers, a buzzing sound or a hot smell.
- Whether the plug fit loosely in the outlet before this happened.
- Whether an adapter, power strip or extension cord was involved.
What not to do:
- Don't plug the appliance into a different outlet with an extension cord. The USFA says never to use an extension cord with a major appliance.
- Don't tape over a damaged cord or plug.
- Don't remove the outlet cover or try to replace the receptacle yourself unless you're qualified.
- Don't reuse a melted plug, even if the appliance still seems to work.
How to keep it from happening again
- Make sure plugs fit snugly. A plug that wobbles or falls out of the outlet makes a poor connection that heats up. Have loose outlets replaced.
- Plug major appliances straight into a wall outlet, with no adapters or power strips.
- Push appliances back gently so the cord isn't crushed or bent sharply at the plug.
- Use the correct cord when a new dryer or range is installed, and have it connected to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Feel the plug occasionally while the appliance runs. Warm is a warning, and hot means shut it off.
If the outlet damage came with a pop or bang, see what to do when an appliance makes a loud pop and stops. For dryer cords and terminal blocks, see our dryer service page.
Sources
- Electrical Safety Foundation International: Home Safety
- U.S. Fire Administration: Appliance and Electrical Fire Safety
Keep in mind: A melted outlet is a two-part repair: the electrician fixes the wall side, and the appliance's cord and connection need checking too.
Call ProFix Dallas at (469) 886-1122 to have the appliance cord and connections inspected.