A power outage and a worsening burning smell led a resident to a melting main breaker. They had moved into the brand-new apartment less than three weeks earlier.
Here's what to know
The resident said a drill and a vacuum cleaner were the largest electrical devices they used. In a post on Reddit's r/mildlyinfuriating community, the resident explained that everything in the apartment was new.
While the post's title described the apartment as four weeks old, the resident had lived there for just 20 days when they discovered the melting breaker.
The burning smell started out faint, then got much stronger two days later, according to the resident's follow-up.
The original poster then shared two photos taken just minutes apart. The first captured the initial discovery, and the second showed material falling away.
More background
Several commenters pointed to a poorly secured electrical connection as a possible cause of the damage.
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One commenter theorized that a wire was not properly seated before the connector was tightened. Another blamed the installer for leaving a screw too loose.
The resident suspected that the first commenter was correct, and the connector hadn't been inserted the right way before the screw was tightened.
One commenter said two breakers needed replacement. They pointed out minor burns on the breaker beside the visibly melted component.
The resident described the installation as "kinda sloppy work." They had also found a loose screw on a power outlet cover.
What can be done?
Commenters recommended contacting an electrician and shutting off the main breaker.
"Already done," the resident replied.
Another commenter called for notifying the landlord or the organization responsible for the building. "Needs to repair and check it over for free," one commenter wrote.
The resident later reported that the problem had been fixed.
Asked whether they had alerted the landlord, the resident replied, "Oh yeah, first person I had on the phone was the company that installed this stuff, and the landlord was just outside so I spoke to him directly."
Where can I learn more?
Even a brand-new building can have electrical hazards, as this resident learned.
• A homeowner considering replacing an electrical panel faced warnings about breakers failing to trip.
• A homeowner investigating a dead patio outlet found the builder had never secured it.
• A new homeowner discovered a generator hookup was missing a safety interlock.
• A U.K. homebuyer found scorched electrical systems, but the seller offered only partial compensation.
• In Los Angeles, an AC tripping a surge protector prompted warnings about melted outlets.
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