Melting plug socket

[Fletch92]

So I hope this is in the right forum area for starters for a first post, sorry if otherwise.

I am new here and do not have any electrician background but needed help from people who do. I live in the North West of England and currently have been having a problem with my plug socket and adapter. I have a four socket adapter with a TV, Xbox, Sky box and router all plugged in but this adapter has melted my single plug socket. The socket now has a huge black hole in the bottom right pin socket and brown residue all over the socket. Is this easily fixed? Do I need the whole socket rewiring? (It is an old socket, in an old house). I am stuck for what to do and thought the forum could give me some insight to my lack of Electrical expertise. Can anyone possibly help me please?
Kind regards
Fletch

 

[GLENNSPARK]

well for a start will you please stop using these plug in 3 way adaptors....
i hate the things...
if you must then use a 4 outlet bar extention lead....its fused..
best thing for you here is to get an electrician in to take a peek....
he will be able to give you sound advice on what needs doing and will also be able to guide you on best practice to prevent future problems...
i`m sure theres plenty of members in here around your way that would be able to take a look at it....

 

[polo1]

These multi way block adaptors are just an accident waiting to happen - change it for a trailing lead adaptor (i.e. one plug into your wall socket with say four outlets). And yes, get the wall socket replaced, if there is no damage to the wiring behind it wont cost much for a spark to call in (maybe someone on the forum if you put up your post code).
Regards.

That Glenspark is fast, doh!

 

[bigbaddave]

Just call a local spark bud, Sounds like a fault which needs to be sorted. We would just be assuming things advising without seeing some test results

 

[GLENNSPARK]

These multi way block adaptors are just an accident waiting to happen - change it for a trailing lead adaptor (i.e. one plug into your wall socket with say four outlets). And yes, get the wall socket replaced, if there is no damage to the wiring behind it wont cost much for a spark to call in (maybe someone on the forum if you put up your post code).
Regards.

That Glenspark is fast, doh!

sorry...lol...

 

[jon090]

Chances are it just needs a new faceplate, but get an electrician in to sort it out properly and see if anything else has been damaged behind it. Try avoid overloading sockets with adaptors etc

 

[MDJ]

That Glenspark is fast, doh!

Yes his wife said the same over breakfast :icon10: Sorry Glen Jk. hehe

 

[DPG]

I got the impression it was a trailing adaptor - I haven't seen any cube type adaptors that have 4 outlets?? Could be wrong though.
Old house, old socket, worn contacts - overheating due to poor contact probably. Daz

 

[Darkwood]

Don't forget to have the plugs checked too .... a loose plug wire could have been the initial cause amongst other possibilities no point having the work done if your sparky forgets to check for the cause.

 

[VoltzElectrical]

Don't forget to have the plugs checked too .... a loose plug wire could have been the initial cause amongst other possibilities no point having the work done if your sparky forgets to check for the cause.

All those items will have moulded pugs on them. My bet is on loose connections on the faceplate. New socket outlet and general check over the system required in order to avoid a fire.

 

[Fletch92]

For some reason I wrote this before but it isn't showing as a reply. It is a trailing adapter with four sockets I was using, the only adapter that reaches all four plugs without stretching and tearing them. It is a very old socket, very old wiring I guess. The socket face plate is also rather loose but screwed in enough not to fall off. My house now sounds like a mouse trap right haha? I am currently looking for local electricians in my area, also hopefully I can find an electrician on here but I am still new and don't know where to look as of yet haha. I am going to call one ASAP just to have a check but I was hoping for a brief outlook on the underlying causes at hand. I guess there is a lot then. Again, I wrote this before but I am not sure where it went but thank you very much guys for all your help.

 

[telectrix]

whereabouts are you ? posting your town will maybe get someone on here close to you.

 

[Fletch92]

I'm in the L25 area of Liverpool.

 

[telectrix]

that's not too far for me, if nobody is closer, i can make saturday.

 

[DPG]

At least you'll get a sensible and trustworthy opinion this way Fletch. Better than risking some chancer (no names, but his 30 mins is nearly up Daz

 

[VoltzElectrical]

better than asking Electricalserv! Remember him?!

 

[GLENNSPARK]

that's not too far for me, if nobody is closer, i can make saturday.

yeah...get you out of here for a bit Tel..:tongue3:

 

[Geordie Spark]

yeah...get you out of here for a bit Tel..:tongue3:

He's chasing the spiders out of his tool bag and cleaning the rust of his side cutters & screwdrivers as we speak.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

He's chasing the spiders out of his tool bag and cleaning the rust of his side cutters & screwdrivers as we speak.

aye....
a bit of WD40 on the old joints should sort it....

 

[DPG]

and on the tools.

 

[telectrix]

it's not the joints in the tools, mate, it's me old bones.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

it's not the joints in the tools, mate, it's me old bones.

like vir?

 

[Geordie Spark]

it's not the joints in the tools, mate, it's me old bones.

Me too mate .... I've been crippled the last couple of weeks - back, hips & knees and on top of that I've got an eye infection that I can't get rid of. It's no fun getting old.

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Me too mate .... I've been crippled the last couple of weeks - back, hips & knees and on top of that I've got an eye infection that I can't get rid of. It's no fun getting old.

so have i....but that was for standing on a wheely bin to get at an outside light....
so to all the pups....dont do it...get some proper ladders
its kept me off for 6 weeks has this...

 

[Stroppy]

My house now sounds like a mouse trap right haha?

Maybe I have a limited imagination, but I can't see how a dodgy socket makes your house like a mouse trap?!

I've got an eye infection that I can't get rid of. It's no fun getting old.

Arghh you have my sympathies - I had conjunctivitis once and it felt like my eyelid was made of sandpaper and sanded my eyeball with every blink. I've never felt pain like it.