SBay_ecologist

Here is what I found out:

• The three-prong outlet was put in place of a two-prong outlet, existence of proper grounding is unknown.
• The connection on the right [see photos] was loose.
• Sparks and overheating has melted and partially burned the plastic parts of the outlet [see photos].

Photos are at: https://picasaweb.google.com/116812378183066102939/Spark_2?authkey=Gv1sRgCI728v3H9p3A7AE#

Here is what I have done:

• Replaced the three-prong outlet with a new one.
• I cut back the bare copper a bit, and cleaned the oxidation/dark matter off.
• As per one of the options on the outlet packaging, rather than wrapping the wire around the terminal screws, I just inserted the tip of the wires under the them. Tightened them well.

I realize I need to check for proper grounding, that's for later. I have been following another post on replacing two-prong outlets with three-prong ones. Got some ideas from there...

nealtw

Pick up one of those testers you just plug in and it can tell if the gound is there and if you have there power wire to the correct screw.

JoeD

If there is no ground present you should replace the receptacle with a GFCI version. That is the legal way to install three prong receptacles on ungrounded circuits.