My GFCI outlet doesn't work and makes random loud clicking noises. If I press test on it, does that shut it off and prevent a potential fire? If not, how do I shut it off without paying an electrician?
Pressing the “Test” button should cause the “Reset” button to pop out. This will disconnect power to the outlet and electronics rendering the outlet safe.But the clicking noise you are hearing could be from the GFI attempting to trip because of a ground fault caused by some sugary liquid like soda having been splashed on it. If this liquid has gotten into the space between the button and the outlet body, the button may have gotten stuck by the gluing effect of the leftover sugar (or a similar substance).Do these steps:Push the test button.Observe the reset and notice if it pops out. (Some GFIs do not pop out very much)Did this stop the noise and cause the “Reset button to pop out?If yes, then call an electrician to replace the GFI as soon as you can. There should be no fire hazard.If the button did not pop out then do this:Locate you breaker panel. It may be in your basement or a panel with a metal door in a closet.Open the door and locate the main breaker. This in almost all cases will be a double breaker that is separate from the row or rows of other breakers and should be labeled “Main”. Do not trip this breaker as it will shut off all power to your home.There should be one or two rows of breakers besides the main breakers. If they are labeled, locate the ones that are most likely to your outlet. (Bathroom, Kitchen outlets, etc).Trip one breaker at a time by pushing the handle to the left. It takes a little force to do this. Check to see of the problem outlet has stopped making noise. (It helps to have a helper at the outlet who can call out, telling you the noise has stopped.GFI breakers are very reliable and tend to fail by simply tripping. A GFI that is clicking like you described is most likely failed because of a stuck button due to something keeping the reset button in.The GFI would not be trying to trip unless there is a ground fault. Ground faults with nothing plugged into the outlet are almost always caused by moisture. So no matter what, the GFI needs to be replaced. It is possible for a homeowner to do this, but by your asking the question here, it leads me to believe you need to have someone qualified to make this repair. But if you do, then invest in a do it yourself beginners guide and a voltage tester.
Kitchenaid Garbage Disposal Model KCDB250G3 humming?
I have a Kitchenaid garbage disposal Model KCDB250G3 which I bought just over a year ago and I have been having problems with it for the past 4 months. It seems that if it is not used on a frequent basis, once a week when I try to use it, I get a humming sound. I unplug it, use the allen wrenchette to spin the motor free after clearing any obstructions and can usually get it to work. Not always does the reset button pop out but when it does, I do press it to reset it. The last time it locked up, about a month ago, it took longer than normal to free it up and only ended up freely spinning and working on it for awhile. Although it did work, it sounded like it had a higher pitch whining sound coming from the metal inside. Now, after I came back from vacation last week, I have the problem again and cannot get it to move. I have tried all of the usual troubleshooting tips that I am familiar with but still have not had any success. Of course, I purchased it 3/10/10 so the one year warranty is up...my fault for not jumping on that sooner. Any ideas?
Just bought a garbage disposal and it sounds like there is a piece of metal bouncing inside, is this normal?
All disposals have 2 "cogs" down in the rotating part, they are there to move the debris, food, ect around in the disposal to ensure that they are cut up small enough to pass thru the drain. If you turn off the disposal and stick you hand down inside, you can feel the two cogs with you fingers and that they move. That is the sound you hear when you turn it on without any thing in it. You usually dont hear that noise when there is food in the disposal. .....Normal.
What things should not go down a kitchen drain? My husband adds coffee grounds, rice, soggy Cheerio's and other "small" food items. I have always been told this is a strict "no-no".
Depends on what kind of garbage disposal you have. If you just brought a new house in a development you have the cheapest garbage disposal available. It’s simply a blade that chops and drains powered by a quarter-horsepower electric motor.When I changed our kitchen sink I decided I wanted a new disposal as well. I bought a one-horsepower continuous feed automatic reverse dual grind model (insert Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor growl here).This is a super grinder. I’ve stuffed cucumber peels, carrot peels, potato peels down this thing. A single cucumber choked my old one. This one grinds chicken bones. This one grinds fat! Try that in your old one.Limes? No worries. They’ll bounce around a bit, but they’ll soon be dust.And quiet! You can barely hear it above the water running.It was around $300, but I was able to install it without unnecessary cursing, only necessary one.My wife constantly admonishes me for stuffing things down the disposal, but I know its capabilities. I’ve not clogged it once.
KIng of the monsters?
...well, per the very first film's title, Godzilla had been deemed 'King of the Monsters"; however, as far as being the most dynamic, eye-popping, and one who has been Godzilla's most formidable foe, and toughest to beat, that would easily be King Ghidorah...
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and Hybrid/electric cars. Is it all a green lie?
Some good points made in previous posts, but all and all I agree on both of your parts. I think as a whole CFL's are better for the environment, as they can be recycled if people would get off their lazy bums and drive them to the centers. Coal fired power plants are indeed the largest cause of Mercury pollution, hence the reason that it's an awful source of energy (even the supposed "clean-fire" plants. As for the hybrid batteries, they can be recycled. Except for the fact that the cost of recycling the batteries is far greater than the cost of producing a new one, hence the reason they will still be disposed of. Have hope for your Hydrogen car though my friend, as BMW is releasing a hydrogen powered car in the States in '08. In regards to Superfund, it might be the worst regulation for the environment. When these companies go bankrupt, that leaves the Taxpayers environmentally allocated money to pay for the clean-ups. More often the not, the site must be made cleaner than it was before the business came to the area, and sometimes even before man came to this continent. Remember the Superfund slogan: 90% of all costs are spent cleaning up the last 5%. While others can complain about your rantings, I am glad to see that you have taken a look at the green alternatives and came to the conclusion every knowledgeable environmental decision maker faces: There are trade offs in everything, and benefitting the environment in one way might cause more harm in another. That being said, I think we can all agree we are on a path to more earth-friendly technology, and that path involves honest and painful truths.