Power Strip here at work blew up on me!

[1Garageman]

I was plugging a laptop into a power strip that I have on my desk. I had the laptop on and turn the power strip on, and BOOM!!!!!!!!

The power strip made some noises, and made a popping sound! The power light stayed on and I unplugged it. I had to take it a part to see what it looked like inside. I am not sure what happened, but I will never use one of these power strips again!

 

[NKlamerus]

Holy ****, just be glad you were there! This could have been MUCH worse.

 

[1Garageman]

Holy ****, just be glad you were there! This could have been MUCH worse.

Ya I was ready for a fire to start right away! I have NEVER seen this happen before. Couldn't of been over loaded, because it was the only device plugged into the power strip.

 

[NKlamerus]

I wouldn't ever trust them. The only time I ever split power is if it's a 3 to pigtail with a GFI adapter.

I love it when our customers want to run a 14 amp blower on a power strip that only has 1 plug left....common knowledge these days sure has surpassed a lot of people.

 

[volleyball]

I've used hundreds and had had some failures. No more than duplex wall outlets that get a lot of use.
It was more from the number of times things were plugged in and out than defective. They don't last forever.

 

[tncatadjuster]

I would say it did what it was supposed to do. My building was hit by a power surge, resulting in 11 power strips that were in the same condition as the one pictured. I did not lose one electronic item from the surge. A few years earlier I lost a computer, TV and fax machine due to being plugged directly into the all outlet.

 

[Kevin C]

I would say it did what it was supposed to do. My building was hit by a power surge, resulting in 11 power strips that were in the same condition as the one pictured. I did not lose one electronic item from the surge. A few years earlier I lost a computer, TV and fax machine due to being plugged directly into the all outlet.

That was my thought.... ALso, the failure was well contained and the housing should be flame retardant. Curious if the unit is UL / NRTL listed?

 

[wingnut_1]

That was my thought.... ALso, the failure was well contained and the housing should be flame retardant. Curious if the unit is UL / NRTL listed?

Not good! Just curious as to the Brand or where it was purchased.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Those photos really make me question the various power strips I have which power several low power devices like stero components and phone and computer chargers...

Any chance someone plugged a two motor vacuum cleaner into that power strip?? Combined with a loose plugin connection, that may have weakened the contacts enough to go kapoof when you later plugged in the laptop??

Something caused that thing to fry. Hope your laptop/charger are still ok .

If a power surge happened at the time you were plugging in the laptop, wouldn't that be noticed with a flicker or flash of the lights in the room?

 

[volleyball]

We see remnants of smoke but what failed? Without knowing what happened, you are only guessing. And to write off these units because of one problem doesn't make sense.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

I've used hundreds and had had some failures. No more than duplex wall outlets that get a lot of use.
It was more from the number of times things were plugged in and out than defective. They don't last forever.

Yeah, but then there are duplexes and there are other duplexes. The 39 cent ones are like the power strip in question. The ones that are a few bucks, OTOH, are far better. In this, you definitely get what you pay for, and with electricity, going cheap isn't a good thing.

 

[volleyball]

I've seen lots of expensive ones that have smoked also. Wear and tear. Lots of insertions and removals.
I once got a box full of dead Isobars. Some were fixed, some too far worn out.
The OP has a laptop indicating lots of plug in and out. Was the power strip screwed down using the factory mounting points? Did he use the same outlet all the time.
A $6 commercial outlet fails too.
A $3 power strip is a light duty item. You have to expect that.
Businesses do regular computer replacements, but not power strips. I've done several offices where 5 or more computer swaps on the same strips.

 

[1Garageman]

Not good! Just curious as to the Brand or where it was purchased.

Here is a picture of the front of it with the brand name on it.

It says "Fellowes" as a brand name, which I have never heard of.
I thought for sure it was ready to start a fire! Makes me wonder about the three I have active at home!

 

[Beemer533]

I wouldn't ever trust them. The only time I ever split power is if it's a 3 to pigtail with a GFI adapter.

This is an over reaction... And what does splitting power have to do with having a GFI? Having a GFI in a splitter does not make it any safer or more protected from overloads..

Edit: I should clarify that it does not make it any safer with regards to splitting power, it does of course make it safer if you decide to use your drill in the pool:


From his photo it looks like possibly the MOV was overloaded repeatedly and finally gave up...

One thing I will say, I would not use any power strip that doesn't have a breaker.. that is asking for trouble!


Looking closer, it really seems like the MOVs popped. The black stuff all over appears to just be soot... I don't see any plastic or wires melted.

 

[NKlamerus]

This is an over reaction... And what does splitting power have to do with having a GFI? Having a GFI in a splitter does not make it any safer or more protected from overloads..


From his photo it looks like possibly the MOV was overloaded repeatedly and finally gave up...

One thing I will say, I would not use any power strip that doesn't have a breaker.. that is asking for trouble!

I'm just saying that's the only time I do lol, I didn't say it can't be safe.

The only reason we split then is because we run blowers in wet Conditions, and most of our customers houses don't have gfis

 

[Beemer533]

I'm just saying that's the only time I do lol, I didn't say it can't be safe.

The only reason we split then is because we run blowers in wet Conditions, and most of our customers houses don't have gfis

Gotcha, sorry, I just read into too much!

 

[NKlamerus]

Gotcha, sorry, I just read into too much!

It's all good, there are A LOT of things that hard to describe, unfortunately there are also a lot of things I don't have a picture of

 

[NUTTSGT]

Always be happy when that stuff happens right then and there, not about 2:30 am.

 

[dogdog]

Fellows was a popular brand for computers way back when 1980s 1990s. maybe now also... they made equipment for home computers and office usages. not sure what you plug into that surge protector, ********? .... or something else in the house that give you that transient power surge. but what ever it was blow those MOV, that that other ppl have been saying. Maybe it is just too old.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surge_protector