Burned Electrical Box

SDLSteve

We've recently had our kitchen remodeled (gutted) and had a gfci outlet go out. When the electrician came to look at the problem, he found a burned gfci box (that was still working) on the opposite side of the sink on the same circuit. After replacing the burned out box, he had trouble getting the volts for the gfci outlet to get above 9 volts. I do believe he was able to finally get it to 90 volts.

Not being an electrical expert, what would have caused the box to burn and what, if any, are the dangers now that the box has been changed?

stars13bars2

Steve
If you are a contractor, you need to find an electrician that can answer these questions. If you choose not to do that I would invest heavily in fire and life insurance. You just may need it in the very near future.

CE1

I agree. you need a Electrician onsite.

Attachment 1584

steveprichard

Steve,

Hey,
Do Not Call The Same Electrician!? If he left the job wondering why he only got 90v on a circuit, He Didn't Fix the Problem.

But, do call another one!

You need that "entire" circuit checked out by someone who would not leave it at 90 volts. You've got a problem that needs to be fixed.


Steve

__________________
Steve

"Keep thee thy airspeed, lest the earth rise up and smite thee!"

Mick Marden

Sounds like a reversed polarity or loose nuetral issue. Have it checked out quickly. I would also have him check the grounding conductor for the devices.

__________________
ACG

"...with God all things are possible." Mt. 19:26

stars13bars2

Mick
Polarity doesn't usually reverse itself in a system, and do you even know what the symtoms of a loose neutral are? Just what would he be checking the grounding conductor for?

D-pool dude

stars ,

in case mark doesn't come back with the answer, I would like to know...What are the symptoms of loose nuetrals??? I have a great electrician, but I always am willing to learn something if someone is willing to teach. As a c 53 we have to understand a little about a lot, and I always like info ..thanks in advance stars,.....and I must say in general the internet is the worst place to try to learn something(lots bad info) ,,,,but this site is pretty sharp.....And any question on a pool, hit me up , I will help if I can, and if I do not know , i will tell ya " don't know"......Nothing worse than pulling an answer out of your butt...lol

__________________
I used my father's hammer as a shovel at age fourteen, and lived!!!

stars13bars2

PoolDude
The GFCI probably didn't even have a neutral, but instead what I would call a grounded conductor. While there is much debate about when and what it is called, in my opinion a neutral exists between two hot legs (in this case) 120 volt legs. Like in your service panel where the three wires that come in are the two hot legs and a neutral. When the neutral connection is loose the voltage on these hot legs will fluctuate according to the load applied, and one will go up while the other goes down. It is a very dangerous situation that needs immediate attention and correction. I guess the information that you get on this site is worth exactly what you pay for it.

RobertWilber

Where did the other hot come from anyway?
What has an open neutral got to do with anything here?
How did the guy get from 9 volts to 90 volts?
I agree, get someone else in there ...
Symptoms
improper voltage
unexplained possible variations based on statements by tech of questionable [doubtful] skill
Possible causes:
improper or damaged termination
loose connection
bad breaker
stupidity
defective serial GFI devices
Solution:
Competent electrician