Fire Mechanism in Power Connection Points of Outlets and Suggestion of a New Identification Method
Most outlet fires occur around plug pins and plug pin receivers. However, no research has been conducted on ignitions at power connection points. This study confirms the possibility of ignition after incomplete connection, using a stranded wire, to the power connection point of an outlet. The experiment was divided into basic and reproducing experiments. The basic experiment confirmed the possibility of ignition according to the number of wire strands connected to the power connection point, and it identified the characteristics of the residue after the fire. In the reproducing experiment, lamps, vacuum cleaners, and heaters were connected to an outlet to check if the ignition at the connection advanced into a fire. The fire advanced due to the heat and arc generated at the connection point, and partial losses were identified in the U-type holder and clip. Accordingly, the results demonstrate that a fire may occur when the stranded wire is incompletely connected to the outlet. Moreover, it was confirmed that the cause of a fire can be determined based on the characteristics of the residue.
