Advice re extension socket mounted on wall

YorkiePud_3

Can anyone please advise me?

I went to switch the kettle on about ten minutes ago, got an electric shock, there was a blue flash and the actual on/off switch just pinged straight out and landed on the kitchen worktop.

So, you can see the metal bit that was beneath the switch if you see what I mean. I have switched the other two switches off that are on this socket but am just worried now ... will it be ok open and uncovered?

I don't know whether to phone an electrician or leave it till morning and ask someone to come.
So rather than be awake and worry about it, I thought I'd chance someone being able to understand my gabble!

The cable goes under the back of the kitchen worktop so I can't see where the extension socket is plugged in to turn that off.

The lights on the extension socket aren't lit and I took the plugs out of the other two so there is nothing plugged into it now. Will this be ok do you think?

shandypants5

Dont touch the metal bit it may be live.

shandypants5

You say there were 2 other switches? so thats 3 in total?

There are usualy only 2 switches on a socket face plate (if its a twin socket)

gabyjane

Firstly i would say don't touch any of it as may still be live. Secondly i'm a bit confused at parts..do you have an extension plugged in to the wall? why is the kettle not plugged straight into the wall as such or i have i misread that?

WestonDave

It won't do anything overnight, but its potentially unsafe if someone could come into the kitchen and touch it. If there is any chance that anyone could come into the kitchen (human or animal) you need to put something in front of it (maybe with a warning note on it) to stop them touching it. Box of cereal is probably enough to stop a cat getting to it and its not a conductor.

shandypants5

Actually WestonDave it "might" still catch fire if whatever caused the fault is still live.

I would imagine that it has taken out a fuse or circuit breaker though if it was a big flash.

Are the other sockets in the same room still working?

gabyjane

Ah i think i know what you have done..have you got an extension lead plugged in somewhere and it is attached to the wall hence the numerous switches? if so what else was plugged into it? it may have just been overloaded. Seems an odd way to use appliances?

YorkiePud_3

Hi and thanks for all the replies .... well, because the kitchen is badly designed I have two wall sockets on different walls, but one is an extension and not the main one.

This extension has room to take three plugs and it's the middle switch that pinged off, showing the bare metal thingy beneath it.
No, I didn't touch it ....

gabyjane yes, the extension lead is plugged in elsewhere, but I have followed the lead down behind the kitchen unit worktops so I can't see where it is plugged in ... this wire goes down behind the units and a different wire comes up running to the main socket if you see what I mean.

There was only the one plug in though and I always remove the plugs when I'm not using things ...

shandypants5, yes, all the other socket (the main socket) is working fine but I haven't tried to plug anything into this extension socket.

shandypants5

Ok, it sounds to me like its just a faulty extention lead that has gone pop.

I would unplug it from the main socket (if you are sure you know where it is plugged in) and leave it till tomorrow to get a competent sparky to look at it.

but if you are unsure in any way and the power could still be on at the faulty socket, then I would try to call on one of your neighbours to help isolate the problem.

Old style Extention leads are notorious for catching fire..

missile

You should be able to identify the circuit which feeds these sockets and isolate same at your consumer unit. This will render all of the system safe until you can get a competent electrician to repair.

amcluesent

Just buy a new a new 4-way extension lead and replace the fuse with a nail so it doesn't play-up.