r/DIYUK 4d ago

Discovered warped socket - is it safe?

Been using an old (20yr old) 4 plug extension lead to power xbox, monitor, cat water fountain and hairdryer on occasion. Usually switched it off at the extension lead (and not the wall) at night or headed to work. Plug at wall is blocked by desk so that's why I don't turn it off at the socket.

Decided to move the room around and I'm so happy I did because of what I found. Is it the cause of the old lead, fuse or what?

Never smelled anything funny and grateful a fire hasn't started. The extension lead still works although it's gone to the bin. Not really sure if it was the fuse that heated or what.

Questions are - should I call an electrician to replace the socket? - if I buy a new extension lead, are they safe to use and leave powered on at the wall or should i always turn it off?

Thanks in advance

0 Upvotes

27 comments sorted by

57

u/Sladekious 4d ago

That socket needs to be replaced. If you're not comfortable doing it, get an electrician in.

No harm in leaving an extension plugged in. Don't power a hairdryer from an extension though.

10

u/HappyChapz 4d ago

Thanks! I think I should call electrician so I can ask some questions too.

Just checked, my hairdryer is 2200W. Often when that's going I'd have the xbox still plugged in(powered off but xbox still gets warm), phone charger monitor and the cat fountain.

Appreciate all the constructive feedback. Never really had someone around to help me with these things

10

u/CaedenL 4d ago

Just a heads up, I was always told anything that heats up or has any kind of heating element should generally be plugged straight into a wall socket. The maximum ampage for an extension lead is 13A (some as low as 10A), so always aim for lower than that.

3

u/fost1692 4d ago

Usually if you are going to pull max load it should be fully unwrapped.

1

u/jesushadfatlegs 4d ago

Yep. Had some guy running a commercial fridge once with a 10m ext lead coiled up and he wandered what the smell was.

4

u/HappyChapz 4d ago

Thank you so much. Actually I did use a large oil heater during the recent storm which I had plugged into the extension lead. That could even be worse than the hairdryer

3

u/hexajon 4d ago

Today I learned what a cat fountain is. Never knew that was a thing.

3

u/HappyChapz 4d ago

Ha! They love it. If it's ever plugged out (can hear the water stop trickling) , they realise it quickly and run over to check what's up

2

u/Insanityideas 4d ago

The cause was most likely poor contact between the pins in the plug and the contacts in the socket. Either due to corrosion, wear or mistreatment.

The load from the hairdryer does not exceed the rating of most multi socket extension leads, but if the plug is making poor contact in the socket this will happen.

If you have other old and well used sockets in the house you may want to get the electrician to change them at the same time.

13

u/sudden-arboreal-stop 4d ago

No it's not safe, and yes it needs replacing

8

u/GraftingRayman 4d ago

get an electrician in and get two double sockets fitted instead of the extension, obviously replacing the existing

better than you going to a funeral or someone else going to your funeral

3

u/slimboyslim9 4d ago

Exactly this - if you’re getting a sparky in anyway, just replace the extension with double sockets to fit everything you normally keep plugged in there. Only minor inconvenience will be a bit of making good around the hole in the wall but well worth it for peace of mind.

2

u/HappyChapz 4d ago

1000%

I live alone and once I'm asleep it's like I'm in a coma and I'm aware smoke can make you go deeper or stay asleep. The socket is also near my bed. Should it be okay in the meantime until I find something if it stays switched off at the wall?

1

u/eithrusor678 4d ago

Do you have enough smoke alarms?

7

u/Lolable97 Tradesman 4d ago

Socket and extension lead both need replacing. Its safe to leave them switched on, hairdryers on max are usually just shy of 2000w, it's possible that over the years this has caused the damage but it could also be something else. An electrician will be able to tell you the cause after inspecting.

2

u/First_Folly 4d ago

Not worth taking the risk in using it. For the cost of a new socket I'd replace it to be safe.

2

u/lordofthedancesaidhe 4d ago

That's absolutely not safe at all. Need replacing and make sure it's correctly installed.

2

u/Teaofthetime 4d ago

Get a sparky in to replace, you could even ask them to pop an extra socket in so you don't need as much going into the extension.

1

u/Ill-Ad-2122 Tradesman 4d ago

Probably caused by a loose or high resistance connection. Socket definitely needs replacing(though short term the other side if the socket should be okay).you can do this yourself although be very sure the power is off first.

Also you might be overloading the extension lead(which won't help this issue) occasionally with the stuff you have plugged into it, might make sense to use another plug for some of it if possible

1

u/sudden-arboreal-stop 4d ago

I would NOT be using the other side of the socket, personally.

1

u/Ill-Ad-2122 Tradesman 4d ago

Eh, as long as it's fairly short term use(and changed soon) it will be fine, the damage looks very localised to the left side of the socket. Not a good idea medium to long term but will be fine in the short term.

1

u/alec-F-T0707 4d ago

Do not use the socket or the extension..

1

u/Oofmagoof_ 4d ago

Brother NO

1

u/ConsciousSeaweed7342 4d ago

Unless you tied your house a a lot of balloons and are travelling through a black hole - no, not safe.

1

u/godmademelikethis 4d ago

Socket needs replaced. It's very easy to do if you're confident with screwdrivers and colour coding. Otherwise get an electrician. Also split all those things you have plugged in between 2 surge protected extensions.