Devices from this era were commonly wired by pushing the conductor into a hole in the back rather than around the screw. Those spring contacts loosen and arc. It shows as an outlet or a whole run that works intermittently, and it is a known fire origin.

This is most common in homes built roughly 1980 to 2000. The polybutylene and aluminum-wiring window, 150 amp panels, R-22 systems and first-cycle architectural shingle.

Related

• Federal Pacific or Zinsco panel
• Two-prong outlets throughout the house
• Cloth-covered cable visible in the attic or basement
• Fuse panel, or a 60 amp service
• Fuse larger than the wire it protects
• Ceiling fan mounted to a standard light box
• Knob-and-tube still energised
• No GFCI protection anywhere in the house

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Written by Jaylan Jones. I Like To Fix earns a referral fee when a call connects to a contractor. See our business-model disclosure.