tannor
join:2005-08-06
Newburgh, NY | Spark when resetting power So at least twice a month I have to go downstairs and unplug the AC power from the wall, the unit that gives the ONT power on the outside.
I have to do this because I lose internet connection and resetting router does not work, only resetting the ONT. I gave up trying to figure out why, Verizon was out here 10-15 times and I gave up..just easier to reset the ONT everytime.
So everytime I unplug it from the wall or plug it in I see a spark in the electrical outlet.
Why is that? Do i need to worry that a fire might happen someday? Is there something wrong with my electrical outlet? |
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Reviews:
 ·Verizon FiOS
| I'm not an electritian but if your seeing a spark inside the outlet i'd venture a guess you have a loose wire inside of it or a faulty outlet. When you unplug and replug something into it the jarr causes a short and you see the arc from the short.
If VZ installed this outlet have them come fix it.
If it was an extisting outlet and you are not comfortable with taking off the cover for inspection and then tightening the connections inside then you need to call an electritian and have that repaired if not replaced. The short may be the cause of your problems and yes IMO it could start a fire so its something to take care of right away.
You could try getting a battery back up like the ones sold in Staples, as example a APC ( around $45) and plug it in to the outlet your router is plugged into and then plug the router in to that on the battery side of it. That may stable the power going to it. Its aways a good idea to use a battery back up anway IMHO for sensitive electronics, just to protect them.
You should still address the spark or arc you see in the outlet the ONT is plugged in to ASAP. |
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tannor
join:2005-08-06
Newburgh, NY | reply to tannor
I think the reason for the spark is because that power unit to the ONT is always on? I mean if there is a power button to turn it off I dont think I would see a spark am I correct?
Am I allowed to plug it into a power strip instead?
When FIOS came to install it they told me it has to go directly into the wall and not a strip?
I am thinking if I plug it into a power strip instead of pulling it out of the wall everytime I can just hit the power button on the strip to kill power?
Or is there a way to really turn this off without having to plug and unplug it from the wall? |
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Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS
 ·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to tannor
The spark is normal.
Found this online:
"If your device is powered on, it will make the circuit when you plug it in. And, the voltage will jump across the gap of the plug going into the socket just before it makes contact. This is normal, unless the device is powered off. In that case, it shouldn't occur. Still, as long as you don't get a lot of heat generation on the plug or outlet, it shouldn't be a problem." |
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| reply to tannor
said by tannor:Am I allowed to plug it into a power strip instead?
When FIOS came to install it they told me it has to go directly into the wall and not a strip?
I am thinking if I plug it into a power strip instead of pulling it out of the wall everytime I can just hit the power button on the strip to kill power?
Mine has been plugged into a Verizon provided power strip since the initial installation a number of years ago. |
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Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS
| reply to MacAlert
said by MacAlert:The spark is normal.
Found this online:
"If your device is powered on, it will make the circuit when you plug it in. And, the voltage will jump across the gap of the plug going into the socket just before it makes contact. This is normal, unless the device is powered off. In that case, it shouldn't occur. Still, as long as you don't get a lot of heat generation on the plug or outlet, it shouldn't be a problem."
A spark from the plug to or on the prong as it is being plugged in may be normal for and open circut as the connection is made.
A spark being noticed inside the outlet as the connection is made "So everytime I unplug it from the wall or plug it in I see a spark in the electrical outlet"
I'm not so sure is normal but again, I'm not an electrian. |
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tannor
join:2005-08-06
Newburgh, NY | reply to MacAlert
said by MacAlert:The spark is normal.
Found this online:
"If your device is powered on, it will make the circuit when you plug it in. And, the voltage will jump across the gap of the plug going into the socket just before it makes contact. This is normal, unless the device is powered off. In that case, it shouldn't occur. Still, as long as you don't get a lot of heat generation on the plug or outlet, it shouldn't be a problem."
Oh thanks where did you read that from the verizon manual? |
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tannor
join:2005-08-06
Newburgh, NY | reply to HenryFarpolo
said by HenryFarpolo:said by tannor:Am I allowed to plug it into a power strip instead?
When FIOS came to install it they told me it has to go directly into the wall and not a strip?
I am thinking if I plug it into a power strip instead of pulling it out of the wall everytime I can just hit the power button on the strip to kill power?
Mine has been plugged into a Verizon provided power strip since the initial installation a number of years ago. Nice...wonder why they would not give me one...wonder if i can just use any standard power strip. |
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| reply to tannor
I just searched online.
I usually get this when plugging in my laptop, iron, etc. Since these are "always on" devices, there is always a small arc (wouldn't really call it a spark). |
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| this sounds scary.. |
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| reply to tannor
By the way we had the exact same issue, ours got so bad it'd go out multiple times a day. I finally raised a big fuss with Verizon and demanded they replace the entire ONT, Power Module and Battery Unit. Fixed it for us and it's been rock stable again ever since!  |
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 rpjoePremium
join:2007-09-22
Rochelle Park, NJ | reply to tannor
it is not scary, it is normal and it is called arcing. the device is powered on so it is drawing power from the receptacle. try it with a hairdryer or radio in the off position to test and it will not happen. there is no reason why you should not be able to plug the ont into a power strip. we are required by new codes now in NJ to instal arc fault breakers for bedroom circuits because of this. for the fear of people plugging in high amperage devices like hairdryers and vacuums and the spark jumping and igniting a curtain. very slim chance but if your ont is in a basement or in a place with noting flammable then i would not worry at all.
edit: make sure the ont is properly grounded.
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~ FiOS ~ * UltimateHD * QIP7232-2 * 35/35rev.G * iPhone4 S⃣ 64GB W * |
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 MuDvAyNePremium
join:2002-03-02
Brooklyn, NY
·Verizon FiOS
| reply to tannor
said by tannor:said by HenryFarpolo:said by tannor:Am I allowed to plug it into a power strip instead?
When FIOS came to install it they told me it has to go directly into the wall and not a strip?
I am thinking if I plug it into a power strip instead of pulling it out of the wall everytime I can just hit the power button on the strip to kill power?
Mine has been plugged into a Verizon provided power strip since the initial installation a number of years ago. Nice...wonder why they would not give me one...wonder if i can just use any standard power strip. Mine is plugged into a standard power strip.
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Mets, Cowboys, Devils |
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| said by MuDvAyNe:Mine is plugged into a standard power strip.
That is all my Verizon provided strip is. An APC surge protector strip. Any one will suffice. |
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shark2k
join:2008-06-01
West Orange, NJ | reply to tannor
I think the OP needs to clarify if he is seeing the spark inside the electrical outlet or from the prongs on the plug to the electrical outlet. If the latter, it sounds like nothing to worry about. If the former, I agree with Joe and the outlet should be taken apart to make sure there is not a loose connection inside.
From the OPs first post, 3rd "paragraph," it reads like he is seeing the spark inside the actualy outlet, not from prong to outlet.
-Shark2k |
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 birdfeedrPremium,MVM
join:2001-08-11
Warwick, RI
kudos:8 | reply to tannor
If an arc appears while in the act of plugging or unplugging the cord, it's normal because the ONT PSU is always on. That is, it will draw current immediately on connection.
The only time arcing becomes a problem is if the outlet or the plug shows signs of burning or pitting. You can't really see inside the receptacle, so the plug end will be your indicator of damage.
Another indicator will be if the plug or outlet feels warm to the touch. But since the power draw on the PSU is so low, I doubt you'd notice anything different from ambient temperature.
Use a power strip if you'd like, but it would be strictly for convenience of using a switch and maybe surge suppression if it's that type of strip.
said by tannor:So at least twice a month I have to go downstairs and unplug the AC power from the wall, the unit that gives the ONT power on the outside. I have to do this because I lose internet connection and resetting router does not work, only resetting the ONT. I gave up trying to figure out why, Verizon was out here 10-15 times... See matthewh16's reply. |
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tannor
join:2005-08-06
Newburgh, NY
1 edit | reply to shark2k
said by shark2k:I think the OP needs to clarify if he is seeing the spark inside the electrical outlet or from the prongs on the plug to the electrical outlet. If the latter, it sounds like nothing to worry about. If the former, I agree with Joe and the outlet should be taken apart to make sure there is not a loose connection inside.
From the OPs first post, 3rd "paragraph," it reads like he is seeing the spark inside the actualy outlet, not from prong to outlet.
-Shark2k
Thanks Shark for getting back to me.
I have to be perfectly honest I am not 100% sure where the spark is. I just remember seeing the spark i don't know if it was on the receptacle on the ONT, or the outside of the outlet or inside.
It happens so fast, maybe next time I will pay better attention.
I already have a power strip downstairs so i think the next time this happens, I will plug it directly into the strip and look to see what the spark does exactly when i pull it out of the wall. |
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tannor
join:2005-08-06
Newburgh, NY | reply to matthewh16
said by matthewh16:By the way we had the exact same issue, ours got so bad it'd go out multiple times a day. I finally raised a big fuss with Verizon and demanded they replace the entire ONT, Power Module and Battery Unit. Fixed it for us and it's been rock stable again ever since!
It very strange my issues, started last august, 2011.
I would lose connection, majority of times it happens overnight, I would wake up in the morning and I would see yellow light on the internet connection on the router. I would then reset router and would do nothing. I would call up Verizon and as soon as they start doing some remote tests it comes back on.
After a while I got fed up waiting 30 minutes on hold for them to reset and they started to send people out, they replaced the ONT I think 5-6 times no joke, and router as well. Basically everytime they came out they automatically replace it. Of course since the issue is interment and only happens every 2 weeks or so very hard for them to troubleshoot.
Eventually I got a hold of a supervisor and they were suppose to switch what splitter I was on. Never heard back no clue if it was done or not.
After a while I just gave up, and the one FIOS tech showed me how to reset the box downstairs so i dont have to call up FIOS.
The funny thing it the battery backup unit and the power module they never replaced once. I wonder if that is it?
The thing is I never lose phone or TV, it only the internet. |
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