HELP - simple question, please keep it simple

[Jarvio]

I am not an electrician. I joined because I have a simple question.

There is a power outlet in my living room, which has 2 plug sockets. Let's call this power outlet A.

There is another power outlet in my living room, about a meter or so away from power outlet A. Let's call this one power outlet B.

Power outlet A might have a problem, but I am not sure if it does or not.

As a precaution, I removed everything from power outlet A and plugged it all into power outlet B.

My question - IF power outlet A did indeed have a problem, would this problem also apply to power outlet B? I ask because they are in the same room, only a meter or 2 apart, even though they are separate outlets.

 

[Wilko]

Hi J, and welcome to the Forum!
It's possible that B may be ok (if A has a problem with the actual outlet, say) or B may have the same problem as it may be on the same cable as A (if it was a cable fault).

Can you tell us any symptoms?

 

[Dannyg8810]

What makes you think it has a 'problem' ?

With that info it's hard to advise.......

 

[Jarvio]

A games console turns off by itself. However, I know it is not an issue with the console, because I had it replaced with a brand new one, which does the exact same issue.

It's not a common issue, but it happens, and it makes my gaming experience hell because I'm constantly worrying that it will switch off mid-game.

The fact that this issue happened again when the console was replaced, tells me that it is something in my house that is causing the issue.

To my knowledge, this has not happened on any other devices. However, I am highly confused as to what caused this issue, and nobody could help me. That's why I am asking here, and wondering if it is the power outlet.

But as the 1st reply said, the 2nd power outlet could have the same issue, so I don't know what to do anymore.

 

[telectrix]

possible loose connection in socket A.

 

[Pete999]

To quote a cliche, get your electrics looked at PDQ

 

[Jarvio]

To quote a cliche, get your electrics looked at PDQ

How do I do this, who do I contact?

 

[Pete999]

How do I do this, who do I contact?

Well if you are concerned Jarvio, contact an Electrician, you should be able to find someone suitable on line, obviously pick someone from your area/location, get several quotations and it's not always best to pick the cheapest, look for referrals from previous customers, I would say pick a trades person who belongs to one of the CPS schemes, but not all are as they seem, I'm afraid you will have to use your own judgement, a sad reelection on our trade I'm sorry to say, but good luck and I hope you get your problem sorted.

 

[Jarvio]

Well if you are concerned Jarvio, contact an Electrician, you should be able to find someone suitable on line, obviously pick someone from your area/location, get several quotations and it's not always best to pick the cheapest, look for referrals from previous customers, I would say pick a trades person who belongs to one of the CPS schemes, but not all are as they seem, I'm afraid you will have to use your own judgement, a sad reelection on our trade I'm sorry to say, but good luck and I hope you get your problem sorted.

Thanks. Before I saw your message, I emailed my energy provider - do you think they'd be able to send an electrician?

 

[DJ Ovengloves]

If they do it’ll be incredibly expensive.

Could also be how your using the console...the new ones kick out a lot of heat....it’s not on a carpet or in a cupboard etc is it?

Thanks. Before I saw your message, I emailed my energy provider - do you think they'd be able to send an electrician?

 

[Des 56]

Just plug a table lamp into the same outlet that you are using to play your game
If your consul fails and the light goes out or flickers,it may indicate a wiring problem

It could save you wasted money paying for a spark when there may be no wiring issue

 

[westward10]

Go on the Electrical Safety First website where you can enter your postcode to find local electricians.

 

[TeeCee]

Have you tried something else in the socket? I don't think you've mentioned. Seems odd (to me) to go straight for dismantling the socket when the only thing to go wrong is a computer console.

Separately, it sounds to me like a thermal cut out on the console. Make sure the area it is in has some form of through ventilation, it might help.

EDIT: Ah. Des has beat me to it...

 

[Jarvio]

I have tried the console in both the 2 different sockets of outlet A. It has the same issue in each.

Everything 'works' in both sockets, but the issue with the console is an unpredictable and rare issue that cannot be tested at all, so it is absolutely impossible to tell if any other devices are affected. This is the problem.

This is why I am questioning the outlet itself, or whatever. I know nothing about this stuff. And I don't know what to do. It's giving me a breakdown.

And no, the console isn't on a carpet or cupboard.

 

[Des 56]

It's giving me a breakdown.

Steady on there Jarvio Clair Voiant is coming on later,she will see what is the problem

 

[Pete999]

It's giving me a breakdown.

Steady on there Jarvio Clair Voiant is coming on later,she will see what is the problem

Des who is clairvoyant, if I maybe so bold?

 

[Des 56]

Des who is clairvoyant, if I maybe so bold?

She tends to hang out with Crystal Ball

 

[Darkwood]

First question for me is what is the brand of console, many things can shut a console down or put it into sleep mode, these could be software conflicts in the games or ambient temp' been too high and the console getting to hot.. if you have indeed replaced the console I assume you played the same games on it which means you cannot assume their is a power point issue here, if your power supply had a mains transient (surge or volts drop) then it would have to be for a duration that you would notice with other items like your TV,lighting etc as most modern electronics have inbuilt smoothing filters that allow for a short transient but like anything they will be effected if it is a lengthy issue like a few seconds.

 

[TeeCee]

Okay, here's a straight-forward follow up question.

When the console powers off, do you have to reset any circuit breakers in the board? If no, it makes it less likely that there is a problem with the actual stuff on/in the wall.

Des's suggestion of putting a table lamp in the other socket is a good one. I'll mean that when it does shut down you can pretty much rule out the wall socket.

Have you tried searching on the internet for overheating problems for your particular console?

EDIT: I need to type faster. Thanks Darkwood!

 

[Dannyg8810]

How long do you use your console for at a time?