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4 Socket/plug extension(white plastic) -the Light Not working,but sockets work!-/Is it safe to use?

ardvo
ardvo Posts: 57 Forumite
edited 27 January 2020 at 7:16AM in Techie Stuff
Them white plastic extension sockets with 4 sockets side by side, and a wire connected to a plug which goes into the wall socket
(to gain 4 more plugs sockets to be inserted into, compared to just one)

Called Masterplug 4 Socket on Argos lol.

Basically the one I have has a On/off switch and an red circle for a light to go on when switched on.

The problem is the red orange light does not go on when the power is turned on, but all 4 of the sockets do actually work, when tested with a heater 1 by one, the heater works fine.

So the 4 sockets on the extension work fine, but the light does not.

Is this something to be concerned about?

We can accept that there is no light, but could the fact that there is no light make the WHOLE plug unit dangerous?/ is it safe to use it going forward without the light?

What would usually the problem be with the light?
(if everything else works but the light doesnt work.)

The main question is, is it safe to use? the fact the the light is not working doesn't make the whole thing unsafe to use, long term does it?


Thanks

Comments

  • missile
    missile Posts: 11,886 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I would continue to use it.
    "A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
    Ride hard or stay home :iloveyou:
  • Hasbeen
    Hasbeen Posts: 4,404 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    The light/bulb is there to show users that the extension is turned on.

    It has failed. Now users have to do the really inconvenient chore of looking at the switch or looking at what is plugged in to see if it has power.

    Perfectly safe. If your concerned buy an other.
    The world is not ruined by the wickedness of the wicked, but by the weakness of the good. Napoleon
  • Neil_Jones
    Neil_Jones Posts: 9,800 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Some strips have surge protectors built in which shows as a light on the panel. Sometimes this is a separate light but can also be an "all-in-one" light.

    If the surge protection has been used then the extension is still safe and okay to use, just wouldn't be able to depend on it at the next surge.

    That aside, yeah its fine to use.
  • ardvo
    ardvo Posts: 57 Forumite
    Looked into it it by opening it up..

    , the orange light is an LED (like a large grain of rice) - but red coloured.

    I assume this is what has blown?

    and means that the thing is safe to use??
  • Swipe
    Swipe Posts: 6,154 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Yes, it's just a light. It will carry on working just like the ones without one. If you are still concerned you can buy a new one for a couple of quid.
  • Paul_DNAP
    Paul_DNAP Posts: 751 Forumite
    500 Posts Second Anniversary Photogenic Rampant Recycler
    If you have a soldering iron you can always pop a new light in the circuit to have the indicator work again.
    (Although I could be wrong, I often am.)
  • that
    that Posts: 1,532 Forumite
    ardvo wrote: »
    Looked into it it by opening it up..

    , the orange light is an LED (like a large grain of rice) - but red coloured.
    Most of them have a neon bulb with a series resistor, as it is cheaper than led, plus needs less parts than an led to get it to work
  • molerat
    molerat Posts: 35,899 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    ardvo wrote: »
    The problem is the red orange light does not go on when the power is turned on, but all 4 of the sockets do actually work, when tested with a heater 1 by one, the heater works fine.
    What else are you running off this extension ?
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