So I have a significant sized wall mounted electric space heater for my master bedroom that I plug into the outlet 3 feet away, and I noticed today that when my heater was running, I just happened to look down and noticed the plug halfway out of the outlet with the prongs exposed, but still connected and the plug head was really hot to the touch. Is this why the plug was hot because it was a loose connection? I didn’t see any damage and I smelled no burning or anything, but could have I damaged the cord or the outlet? I don’t ever remember the plug getting hot before when I unplugged it after use, but it was always all the way inserted previously.

Being partial out could have caused the heating of the plug.
I would replace the outlet if you’re handy.
Do you have an amp draw meter you can use to check the heaters health?

Yeah I think I’ll replace the outlet. I guess, when I first saw the outlet, it was a little darker in the room than I thought, as with a second look with a flashlight, I noticed this charring on the left slot with what appears to be a tiny bit of melting from the heat.

I showed some pics to a family member who is an electrical engineer and he said it’s better to install outlets with the wires around the side screws instead of hooked directly in the back. He said sometimes houses are built this way to save time and although it’s functional, it’s not as solid of a connection as using the side screws. I have no knowledge on the subject, so I take his word as Canon with electrical things. I figured I would still ask on here though to get a broader spectrum of opinions.

Here’s a couple pics

Mustang P-Pa, I don’t have an amp draw meter how would I use that to test the space heater? Embarrassingly I’m not electrical savvy and have not done much maintenance or testing being a homeowner to date.

That's a house fire waiting to happen.

Per Google's AI, 46% of all home heating fires are due to space heaters. Another site attributes 1/3 of all winter home fires to space heaters. I've known the percentages were high, but not that high.

Do you have another means of heating the bedroom. Wool blanket perhaps?

Yeah I’ve always known space heaters were iffy though I’ve been pretty on top of things until this occurrence today.

When an outlet gets like this is it always a 100% that if hypothetically one didn’t catch it it would indeed cause a bigger issue or do outlets simply stop working (when componentry is charred or compromised) as a safety precaution? Not sure if it would trip the breaker as current wasn’t overdrawn I don’t think. It was more an ignition concern.

I always thought the biggest problem with space heaters was people using a 16 gauge extension cord on a 1500 watt heater.

We almost had a home fire when she plugged a small space heater into a surge protector. Bad idea, don't do this!

Your family member is right about back stab connections. They suck. Use the screws.

Also, it’s not uncommon for 1500W space heater plugs to get warm while in use. That right there should tell you something about space heaters.

Is the circuit on a 15 or 20 amp breaker. Anything else on it.

-Rob

Here's my annual warning to not burn y'all's houses down. Please don't use space heaters. Address the problem and add insulation or contact an HVAC professional.

Yes the outlet needs to be replaced. There's visible heat damage to the plastic.

I occasionally use an oil filled heater, no extension cord. Never set on the highest setting.
These types are safer?

quote:

Originally posted by Schmelby:
I occasionally use an oil filled heater, no extension cord. Never set on the highest setting.
These types are safer?

Yes , safer . Still need to observe the no extension cord rule .

One electric safety option is the Whisker Labs "ting" monitoring system - https://www.tingfire.com/ - our home is insured through State Farm and they provide it to us without additional charge. You plug a small unit (3"x3") and it tracks potential hazards. They claim to reduce the risk of electrical fire by 80%. It looks like it costs $99 / year to subscribe.

I'm not an electrician, just a consumer, but it looks like a good idea. State Farm clearing thinks it will save them on claims payouts.