Blue/Green powder coming from a few outlets.

[Terence McCann]

I got a call from a friend, he said that when he pulls the cord out of the outlet, in his bathroom and bedroom, there is a bluish-green powder that is on the plug.

First thought is a loose neutral. I told him to pull the outlet covers and to look at where the wires attach to see if there is any signs of corrosion.

Any thoughts?

[fqp25]

Sounds like corrosion. Maybe, dissimilar metal contact somewhere in the wiring. Excess moisture in that bathroom could also play a role(Maybe).

[Jim Katen]

Originally posted by Terence McCann

I got a call from a friend, he said that when he pulls the cord out of the outlet, in his bathroom and bedroom, there is a bluish-green powder that is on the plug.

First thought is a loose neutral. I told him to pull the outlet covers and to look at where the wires attach to see if there is any signs of corrosion.

Any thoughts?

Tell the kids to stop putting toothpaste into the receptacles.

If it's not toothpaste, it's corrosion - possibly from a combination of shower mist and the deadly toxic fumes from shampoo, conditioner, perfume, etc, etc.

I'd just switch out the receptacles.

- Jim Katen, Oregon

[Les]

Jim appears to be, might be, likely, maybe, etc. right.

Hair spray will do it. Also the LimeAway, OrangeBlast, Lysol spray. etc does funny things in outlets.

What does it taste like?

[hausdok]

What do you think it will taste like?

I'll bet dollars to donuts that if Terry sticks his tongue on that outlet it will taste exactly like scorched tongue. [:-bonc01]

OT - OF!!!

M.

[Terence McCann]

I never run with scissors nor do I stick my tongue into electrical outlets, well, once back in the 70's after drinking some Kool-Aid® but that's another story.

[Les]

During my Blower Door useage years, I found nearly 90% of electrical outlets and switches to have drafts or vacumns. Bathroom outlets will "suck your socks off" when the fan runs, then go to negative pressure when the fan is off, usually right after using the hair spray - yer done, flip the switch and leave. Or, if you are like my sainted Mother, you spray everything with Lysol.

Either way, I think it is likely a dirty receptacle and worth the

$3.00 to change it.