Electric socket sparking

moneyistooshorttomention

Just had a fan-heater plugged in to a kitchen socket and heard and saw sparking at the socket. Pulled the fire out quick.

It's a double socket in the kitchen and my fridge is plugged, as usual, into the other half and working as normal.

Wondering what the problem is?

I'm inclined to throw the fire out and think it must have developed a fault (not a "name" brand and is a few years old).

Having said that - I had the house virtually renewed when I bought it a few years ago and it's a new socket - so the house itself should be okay. But - I've had to get another new socket (in a different room) repaired since then (which could have been down to a so-called plasterer that replastered the house taking all the sockets off the walls when he replastered) and had to have new shower switch outside bathroom replaced (ditto) and new doorbell replaced again (no idea why).

Thoughts?

Robin9

Probable loose connection.

Replace the double socket.

moneyistooshorttomention

This is what I'm wondering.

I've not had much luck at getting decent workmen since moving here (eg had 4 different decorators - and still not found "my" decorator yet - though I'd had a perfectly decent one before moving).

My fridge is still plugged into the other half of the socket - do you think it's safe to keep it plugged in there?

Robin9

Is there an emergency electrician in your area? May not be cheap perhaps £60 call out plus materials but will resolve the problem quickly.

If you have an alternative socket for your fridge use it - even if on a short extension lead.

moneyistooshorttomention

Have found that fridge lead was long enough to just manage to plug into another nearby socket - and have swopped it.

Don't know re emergency electrician as such here - this is quite a small place - but have got it in mind that perhaps I should call one of the electricians that's done work on my home before (ie not the one that did the main work here - in case this is down to him).

Presume it doesnt count as "emergency" and can wait a couple of days, if need be, if that electrician I'm thinking of can't make it till then?

EDIT; Quick google for "emergency electricians near me" - and no-one. So it's got to be one on a "regular" basis anyway...

Slinky

You say you had most things renewed, did your electrician issue a NICEIC certificate? If not sure the planning portal for your council website should show it for your property if he did. If he didn't I'd get somebody else back in who can check your electrics and issue a certificate given that you've had several issues.

moneyistooshorttomention

Yes - he did issue the certificate - though I've come to the conclusion about him since that I wouldnt want him again (was having dreadful difficulties in finding an electrician when I moved here - and the electric work was needed urgently).

I don't think he's working as an electrician now.

EDIT; BTW - do you know what a rough ballpark figure would be for checking the electrics in the whole house? It's only a small one - 2 bedrooms/1 reception room/1 kitchen/1 bathroom.

Grenage

As it's almost certainly just a loose connection, any reasonably competent handyman should be able to swap out the faceplate in 10 minutes.

ariba10

Have you tried the Fan Heater in a different socket?

moneyistooshorttomention

ariba10 wrote: »

Have you tried the Fan Heater in a different socket?

I am rather scared to do so - in case it's down to the fan heater being the problem.

Really nervous about the possibility of an electric fire - that, when I'm finally able to sit back and think "Thank goodness - the darn house itself is now finished (ie I've had it gutted)".

fezster

Was your consumer unit replaced as part of the work? Is it an RCD protected unit?

I'd have expected it to trip if there are sparks. The sparking is probably down to a loose connection in the socket.