Electrical issue - or faulty washing machine?

[Craizie]

So my newish washing machine quit working on me. It acts like it has no power what so ever. I unplugged it and found that two of the prongs were burnt / melted. I tried to plug another appliance in to test the outlets and it threw sparks like crazy. Is this an electrical issue pertaining to the outlet, or would it be a faulty washing machine part? I assume it's the outlet, but I dont want to bitch at the apartments and find out I'm.

[mstng86]

If two different appliances have the same issue, its the outlet.

[Craizie]

If two different appliances have the same issue, its the outlet.

Do you know what will cause it? I'd like to go in with as much info as possible. It's been a huge pain in the ass trying to get the new manager to fix or replace anything lately.

[LANTIRN]

Problem is the outlet. Sounds like you are renting? I would just blow his phone up with calls until he fixes it.

[Craizie]

Problem is the outlet. Sounds like you are renting? I would just blow his phone up with calls until he fixes it.

We are renting. I might just go that route. I just wanted to make sure it was the outlet that is faulty, and that my washing machine did make it that way. I know zero about electricity.

[LANTIRN]

The washer could have ruined the outlet, or vice versa, but if both do the same thing there is an outlet problem. Did you check fro tripped breakers, by chance? Nevermind, reread the sparks comment. Yeah call the manager.

[Craizie]

The washer could have ruined the outlet, or vice versa, but if both do the same thing there is an outlet problem. Did you check fro tripped breakers, by chance? Nevermind, reread the sparks comment. Yeah call the manager.

Nothing was tripped, and the breaker that they had labeled doesn't do anything to kill that outlet.

[Craizie]

So the washer is dead and now I can't fit any plug into the outlet. It's like something is stopping the plug about 1/4 way in.

Also, just as I suspected, the apartment is trying to say my washer damaged the plug. Do I need to hire an electrician to figure out what went wrong? I don't see how a washer would melt it's own plug, but then again I don't know shit about electricity.

Any help?

[kpc01]

sounds like a loose wire on the outlet, Had a similar problem with my oven a while back and had to redo the outlet. hopefully it threw a breaker and you can have them just redo the outlet

[ram57ta]

Almost 100% guarantee you the outlet has a loose wire/high resistance contact. Does the house have aluminum wiring by chance? My cousin in Dville is renting a house from a slum lord who lives in Wisconsin...the lady has NEVER stepped foot in the house. My cousin has had NUMEROUS plugs that stop working occasionally, sparks come out of them sometimes, and has in fact had 3 or 4 that literally caught fire inside the box.....ALL OF THEM due to burned connections where the aluminum wire became loose under the screws. Once this starts...it only gets worse until the problem is corrected. Copper or aluminum regardless..once the outlet has started getting hot it needs to be replaced, not tightened because the metal inside it has already started weakening from heat soak and will not maintain the electrical flow on high current devices. My cousin bought a new washer and dryer because her old ones stopped working or so she thought. When she plugged in the new ones they STILL didn't work. I had to replace the outlets. Also..if you are going to try to fix this yourself...DO NO USE THE STAB in the back connectors. Strip off the wire, wrap it ALL THE WAY around the screws, then tighten them.

[Craizie]

Almost 100% guarantee you the outlet has a loose wire/high resistance contact. Does the house have aluminum wiring by chance? My cousin in Dville is renting a house from a slum lord who lives in Wisconsin...the lady has NEVER stepped foot in the house. My cousin has had NUMEROUS plugs that stop working occasionally, sparks come out of them sometimes, and has in fact had 3 or 4 that literally caught fire inside the box.....ALL OF THEM due to burned connections where the aluminum wire became loose under the screws. Once this starts...it only gets worse until the problem is corrected. Copper or aluminum regardless..once the outlet has started getting hot it needs to be replaced, not tightened because the metal inside it has already started weakening from heat soak and will not maintain the electrical flow on high current devices. My cousin bought a new washer and dryer because her old ones stopped working or so she thought. When she plugged in the new ones they STILL didn't work. I had to replace the outlets. Also..if you are going to try to fix this yourself...DO NO USE THE STAB in the back connectors. Strip off the wire, wrap it ALL THE WAY around the screws, then tighten them.

Thanks for the input. I have no idea if they are copper or aluminum. I don't fuck with electricity any more. If the apartment wont fix it I'll call an electrician.

[ram57ta]

Thanks for the input. I have no idea if they are copper or aluminum. I don't fuck with electricity any more. If the apartment wont fix it I'll call an electrician.

Where is this at?

[Craizie]

The HEB area near north east mall.

[ram57ta]

The HEB area near north east mall.

Ok. If the apartment doesn't want to do it or they drag their feet I could take care of it quickly for cheap. Let me know.

[Craizie]

They came and replaced the outlet today... The washer is dead. Is it worth trying to fix it, or am I fucked and have to get a new one?

Is there some cheapy regulator I can replace or something?