Cooker & Plug double socket - strange issue

Ratbag123

Hi all.
I have a double socket in my kitchen, the kind with the big switch for the cooker on one side and a 3 pin socket on the other. It worked well for several years. Suddenly I find that the 3 pin socket no longer works (and the indicator lamp does not light) unless I apply pressure to the switch. If I do that, the lamp lights up on the socket and all is well, until I let go. The cooker works fine, and its lamp lights up correctly.
I removed the faceplate, but found no loose wiring. So I thought for the sake of a few quid I'd replace the faceplate just in case the switch had worn out.

Fitted the new switchplate - double checked the wiring - flipped the circuit breakers back on.......... same problem.

Anyone have any suggestions ? Thanks in advance.

chib

Does everything work when you apply pressure to the new switch, like the old one?

If so, that is odd!

Ratbag123

It certainly does. As long as I apply pressure to the actual switch itself, lights on, all working.

Aylesbury_Duck

Possibly a break in the cable in the socket back-box? That might explain why the switch pressure makes it work. How about pressing the socket elsewhere? If that works, it would suggest there’s a problem with the wiring behind it.

Ratbag123

Thanks for the suggestion - I'll check it out.

EDIT - Nope. It's just the switch.

Risteard

You need to get an Electrician out urgently. Loose connections are a serious fire hazard.