Forgot to unplug fridge while replacing thermostat, smelled electrical burning

Question

I went to replace the fridge thermostat today. I unscrewed the housing found the cables popped out the metal thermostat from the plastic casing.

I should have stopped to unplug the fridge here since I didn't do it before any of this. But I blanked and started unplugging the power wires. I started to smell faint electrical burning smell, realized I was playing with power without turning the appliance off, and unplugged it from the wall.

I finished replacing the thermostat and plugged the fridge back in. Immediately came on and started running.

1. I'm an idiot yes. Guess I wasn't fully awake yet. I build computers I know to turn power off, I don't know what I was thinking.

2. Since there was some smell, have I increased the chances of an electrical fire? Are there any signs (burned wires, etc) I can check for -- after unplugging the fridge...

3. I do assume there would be nothing toxic that one with breathe in from the fridge/electronics/burning whatever.

I do think the fridge is running correctly. The freezer is definitely putting out cold air. Just don't want to burn down the house or anything. I forgot the most important step. Have coffee, don't do this after first getting up, and don't get distracted by kid/dog/wife. And unplug the dang thing.

Answer 1

If you would have shorted something badly the breaker should have tripped. I say "should" have as long as you have a quality breaker that is not corroded.

I would definitely monitor the situation though until you trust that everything is OK. There shouldn't be any increased chance of a problem unless something was seriously damaged. As long as you didn't breathe the fumes for long then you are good.

Rest easy but keep an eye on the fridge until you are sure everything is working normally.

Answer 2

1. Shame on you working on something live and living on the dangerous edge! (It seems from your post you felt it was a good idea to beat yourself up, so figured helping you do so might make you feel better? Wad off any trolls?)

2. The official answer to this question is "Yes"; however, with that said, I suspect you are ok. Nonetheless, go make sure you are ok. Firstly, did you yank on wires to any extreme that you could have caused a cut in the sheathing? (most metal in a fridge is not user friendly/rounded when not exposed to human hands). They most likely, by code, ran the wires in a safe manner and via grommets, but take nothing for granted, these areas are typically not user serviceable. Also, unplug the wire connectors and look for oxidization, burnt, or loose connections. If you find any, clean and tighten them. Also tape off and or repair any cut wires. Oh yea..... Unplug ti before you start.

3. If something burns, and you inhale it, it is almost if not always toxic. It doesn't matter if it is cigarettes, e-smoke, burnt hot dogs, etc. But I wouldn't panic if you caught a whif and didn't decide to make a peace-smoke-pipe ceremony out of it. Do you feel sick or otherwise abnormal? (probably not), but if you ever do, go see a doctor. (that's general advice, not just for this instance).

All in all, I suspect you are fine, and so is the fridge, but its certainly worth the effort to give you and your family the peace of mind that all is well.