Dangerous extension cords
Extension cords seem like a safe place to save a few dollars by buying something cheaper. Don't!
1 of 8 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Melty plastic!
That must have been overheating for a while.
2 of 8 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Signs of arcing
Looks like the contact was making por connections and causing arcing.
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The diagnosis...
... poor quality connectors.
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Poor quality construction
Even the contacts that hadn't melted were showing signs of overheating.
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Damaged wire!
The wire going to the neon indicator was also charred and damaged.
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More overheating
Looks like the surge protection module was also causing overheating.
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Damaged neutral wire
The insulation on the blue neutral wire was also sliced through by being trapped under the earth rail.
8 of 8 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
Surge protector circuit
Here we have thermal fuses (the translucent components), metal oxide varistors (blue discs). This is a very basic surge protector circuit found in extension cords.
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