Why would a split AC unit burst into flames?

[RigidRaider]

Two friends in Nigeria have experienced this now; the indoor unit of the split AC bursts into flames. In one case the entire room was burned out but luckily it was a quality house with plaster ceilings so the flames didn't spread into the roof and in fact the fire had almost burned itself out when the fire brigade arrived about an hour later (having found a battery to get the appliance started). More recently it happened to my colleague but his M.I.L. was in the room at the time.

Obviously both units could have been installed by idiots and in Nigeria all electrical appliances get spoiled by the constant power cuts and voltage fluctuations. But what is there in a split AC that can cause a fire? Is this common? Could lack of maintenance have led to a dust build up?

 

[wreckedit]

The most obvious answer is that one of the terminals was not done up tight enough. This causes a voltage drop across the termination and with current passing through it generates watts in to heat. If the V x I = Watts is sufficient it melts the plastic around the termination and wire which may catch alight.

If a lot of dust is able to get in the unit this may be a problem caused by not covering sufficiently to stop it happening. In industry dust proof boxes are used but consumer units are not completely dust proofed and may need further covering to stop it getting in. If water gets in as well then it can lead to tracking.

 

[RigidRaider]

Water is a possible explanation; in the humidity of tropical Africa there is often copious condensate dripping out of the units. I believe the drains get blocked. But this would be in some kind of tray at the bottom of the unit, I guess?

What about the constant power cuts and restores and the voltage fluctuations? Most equipment meets a premature death in that country.

 

[Mickymoody]

Maybe it's Karma, paying the Uk back for false Nigerian emails?

Nigeria have faulty aircon units? I don't have one in the UK. Even if it is broken.

What is your point Op? The UK give loads of charity money to Nigeria, and they spend it on faulty aircon units?

Or the UK has 6 million unemployed (3 million are exempt from the figures), that don't have heating in the winter, 1.2 million are exculded from the figures because they are on 'training courses', for that read 'workshop', and another 500,000 are on 'training courses', that are working for your dole money. That involves working 9-5 40 hours a week, to deprive someone out of a job.

But you support Nigerians, before your own? About faulty aircon units?

I feel so much better in my life that someone supports aircon, to a radical, fashist idiot.

 

[kevplumb]

Maybe it's Karma, paying the Uk back for false Nigerian emails?

Nigeria have faulty aircon units? I don't have one in the UK. Even if it is broken.

What is your point Op? The UK give loads of charity money to Nigeria, and they spend it on faulty aircon units?

Or the UK has 6 million unemployed (3 million are exempt from the figures), that don't have heating in the winter, 1.2 million are exculded from the figures because they are on 'training courses', for that read 'workshop', and another 500,000 are on 'training courses', that are working for your dole money. That involves working 9-5 40 hours a week, to deprive someone out of a job.

But you support Nigerians, before your own? About faulty aircon units?

I feel so much better in my life that someone supports aircon, to a radical, fashist idiot.

what a maroon

what you mean is you haven't a clue as to the answer so you have a silly little rant

 

[kevplumb]

Water is a possible explanation; in the humidity of tropical Africa there is often copious condensate dripping out of the units. I believe the drains get blocked. But this would be in some kind of tray at the bottom of the unit, I guess?

if it's a through the wall unit
there is a tray in the bottom and yes the drain holes do get blocked i drilled ours out to 3/8 when i moved it

don't think that would be the prob tho AFAIK all the stuff on the wet side is sealed

 

[Mickymoody]

Maybe it's Karma, paying the Uk back for false Nigerian emails?

Nigeria have faulty aircon units? I don't have one in the UK. Even if it is broken.

What is your point Op? The UK give loads of charity money to Nigeria, and they spend it on faulty aircon units?

Or the UK has 6 million unemployed (3 million are exempt from the figures), that don't have heating in the winter, 1.2 million are exculded from the figures because they are on 'training courses', for that read 'workshop', and another 500,000 are on 'training courses', that are working for your dole money. That involves working 9-5 40 hours a week, to deprive someone out of a job.

But you support Nigerians, before your own? About faulty aircon units?

I feel so much better in my life that someone supports aircon, to a radical, fashist idiot.

what a maroon
what you mean is you haven't a clue as to the answer so you have a silly little rant

And so do you, without an answer..

 

[kevplumb]

exept unlike you dill i threw a few ideas in the ring

you on the other hand did jack

much as i would expect

get back in yer box

 

[RigidRaider]

Just logged on here from Nigeria where I am working this week. What a sad miserable old barsteward MM must be if he doesn't understand the simple concept of concern for your friends. One AC fire victim was a customer, a deeply Christian man and a good friend for the last 18 years, with small children who were traumatised by the fire and lucky to escape alive, the other my British colleague with two young daughters.

I really feel very sorry for you, you need to take a long careful look at yourself before posting any more of your nasty rants on public fora.

 

[Mickymoody]

Just logged on here from Nigeria where I am working this week. What a sad miserable old barsteward MM must be if he doesn't understand the simple concept of concern for your friends. One AC fire victim was a customer, a deeply Christian man and a good friend for the last 18 years, with small children who were traumatised by the fire and lucky to escape alive, the other my British colleague with two young daughters.

I really feel very sorry for you, you need to take a long careful look at yourself before posting any more of your nasty rants on public fora.

Two people in Nigeria, that gets loads of aid from the UK, supports a country, and two people have a fire due to an aircon unit. Whereas, hundreds of people are killed in the UK, on the roads, fires, a gas explosion recently, I asked What is your point OP, and you reply with abuse, when there is death and destruction on your doorstep, to care about a fire in Nigeria, due to a faulty installed aircon unit, that most people in the UK don't have, or can afford.

 

[RigidRaider]

My point was simply to ask if anybody on DIYnot.com could explain why my friends' AC units might have burst into flames. Most of the people who contribute to the forum are capable of answering a sensible question with a sensible and well-informed answer without using it as an opportunity to air their bizarre prejudices.

 

[Beerlover]

MM seems to forget that the benefit system, that he seems to enjoy, costs more than foreign aid.

What proof does he have that these were paid by this aid? And as the aid is paid by taxpayers - it isn't costing him anything anyway.

Will have to wait until sunset for his reply now.