Possible Electrical Problem

[2B4Him]

This weekend, we started noticing a burning smell in our kitchen. Investigation led us to a particular electrical outlet that my wife uses for her coffee machine. It was getting very hot and when we used the microwave, smoke would actually come from the outlet.
You can see from the photo that there was some sort of short in the plug and it will definitely need to be replaced.
However, my concern is this: the circuit that the plug is on also controls both the microwave and the refrigerator (the oven, just below the microwave, is on a different circuit). Is that too much for a single (I think 20 amp) circuit?
The house is 14 years old, never any previous problem with this outlet.
We have two other outlets in the kitchen that are GFI. This one wasn't.

[yanta61]

wow...Lucky you found it before it caught fire.

[YankeeHunter]

Yes this is a problem. Current code says the microwave, stove and refrigerator all be on their own circuit. You are also requied to have (2) separate circuits for appliances. You dodged a bullet here, you should really consider upgrading. At minimum add a separate circuit for the microwave.

[Texas Stalker]

Yes this is a problem. Current code says the microwave, stove and refrigerator all be on their own circuit. You are also requied to have (2) separate circuits for appliances. You dodged a bullet here, you should really consider upgrading. At minimum add a separate circuit for the microwave.

Definitely get it done right or next time may be too late.

[db@100]

twist the wires together with a wire nut and pigtail a short piece off to go to the plug. The problem in your picture was caused by the connection getting loose.

[medic151]

They wear out after a while. A loose or high resistance connection will lead to that. I had one in my bedroom and right before we were going out of town, I heard a buzzing sound with the rest of the lights flickering. Found the plug was shorting out due to a loose connection and replaced it. I also found out then that my house was not grounded properly. Theoretically, the breaker would have eventually tripped, stopping the arcing, hopefully before a fire started.

[db@100]

This is why the NEC now requires the use of Arc Fault Breakers...

[Atfulldraw]

I'm no master electrician, but the presence of smoke goes beyond "possible" problem.

[Jackson357]

This is why the NEC now requires the use of Arc Fault Breakers...

Only in bedrooms.

[Bowhunter1994]

i think it was a loose wire that caused it , BUT GET YOUR UPGRADES NOW TO MEET CODE.

[db@100]

Only in bedrooms.

You better check again...

[holepuncher]

Loose connection. Overload should have resulted in a tripped breaker. House should be Grandfathered as far as meeting new code. My suggestion is to remove your devices and tighten the connections.

[Skullworks52]

I'm no master electrician, but the presence of smoke goes beyond "possible" problem.

That's what I was thinking.

[Uncle Doug]

Don't buy the cheap 39 cent replacement receptacles when you fix. Spend the extra money to buy a better one.

[2B4Him]

twist the wires together with a wire nut and pigtail a short piece off to go to the plug. The problem in your picture was caused by the connection getting loose.

You don't see a problem with the microwave, refrigerator, and this plug being on the same circuit?