Fautly Electrical Outlets

[Terry J. Fowler]

Over the past few years, our Fire Investigation Team has saw an increase in residential fires which have been directly
connected to the failure of a specific type (not brand) of electrical outlet. These are
sometimes referred to as "E-Z Wire" receptacles. For anyone who may not be familiar with this term, these outlets offer
the option of inserting the stripped end of the service wire into a small opening on the
back of the outlet, as opposed to the traditional method of wrapping the wires around the side terminal screw.

I am aware of the criteria which must exist
before resistance heating can take place at
an electrical connection and pose a risk of
fire. What I would like to know is if any
other Fire Investigators have seen this same
problem on a repeated basis.

I have contacted the Consumer Product Safety
Commission in Washington, D.C., and they are
currently in the process of reviewing the information which I've submitted. If you
have any information which may support or
refute these findings, please contact me.

Thank you for your time.

Lt. Terry J. Fowler
O.C.T. Director
Siloam Springs Fire Department

[George Wendt, CFI]

Terry, very often the manner of installation is just as much at fault. When making an evaluation, check to make sure that the wire has been stripped back far enough and that the right size wire is being used. Are you seeing a common denominator as far as an electrician is concerned? Are these outlets being used with the old aluminum wiring? We see a lot of fires with these outlets. As far as I am concerned, they are like having a time bomb in the house.

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[Capez]

George hit it right on the head!
Instead of looking at the manufacturer find out;
1)who did the install.
2)what the outlet was being used for.
3)did the install meet code?
Once those questions are answered then go after the question as to weather or not the product is safe.

By the way are the outlets UL rated?