Hi from a gran with a dodgy socket.

[supergran]

Hi everyone, I have a problem I hope you can help with. Today I plugged a small fan heater into an extension lead with 4 outlets. Also plugged in was a tumble dryer and small dehumidifier. The dryer was OFF, the dehumidifier was on. After around 15 minutes I could smell that distinctive electrical burning, a bit 'fishy'. Switched it off at the wall socket and the plug was hot. There is a light brown mark on the cover but what is most concerning is that the plug is now stuck in the socket and will not come out, it comes out about 3or 4 mms but no further. I'm well and truly stuck! Should I just get a screwdriver behind it and prise it out (with the sockets circuit off of course) or will that damage it?

 

[westward10]

No get an electrician out.

 

[The Ghost]

EDIT: Maybe best to get a spark in.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Definitely a No from me! its possibly stuck in as something has melted or fused it together. you need an electrician. its never wise to go around putting metal things in electrical outlets!

 

[supergran]

Its the extension plug thats burned and stuck in the socket. The dryer was not on at the time and has been fine. The heater is a small one and I was shocked it happened with that and not the dryer.

 

[supergran]

Is it my fault then and not the socket? Its a rented property and the landlord will not spend money on it so its falling apart. I am moving out in 2 weeks so am gutted this happened now. If it is my fault he will keep my deposit.

I would be very careful with the screwdriver, and make sure it didn't touch any prongs, and turn it off at the mains too. I promise I won't stick it ion any holes .

 

[SparkyChick]

Don't take a screw driver to it. I've tried to extract a plug in just such a situation with a crowbar and I failed.

The best advice is to get a recommendation from family, friends, colleagues for a local electrician.

Providing the wiring in the back of the socket is OK, replacing the socket is a relatively quick job and shouldn't cost too much.

If you could be a bit more precise (a town for example), one of the guys may be able to get it sorted for you.

 

[camerabloke]

Here we go again. An op who won’t listen

 

[supergran]

A friend has a relative who is a sparky, he might look at it for me if he isn't too busy, but if he can't I would be very grateful if someone can look for me. Thank you. I will ask in the morning.

 

[Octopus]

How often do we hear "the landlord won't spend any money" ffs!

A small fee to keep tenants safe.

Something needs to change to get these cheapskates brought into the real world ....

 

[supergran]

Here we go again. An op who won’t listen

I'm not disregarding anything, or not listening. I'm learning and grateful for the advice. I've always wanted to understand things even as a kid and ask questions. I'm sorry if I appeared to be dismissive.

 

[The Ghost]

You should not lose your deposit though. By law it should be held by an independent trustee deposit company who will ensure that any cost is fairly deducted from your deposit. And there is a dispute process in the event of any disagreement. I hope the landlord was not so unscrupulous as to keep the deposit in his own bank.

 

[supergran]

How often do we hear "the landlord won't spend any money" ffs!

A small fee to keep tenants safe.

Something needs to change to get these cheapskates brought into the real world ....

I have been flushing the loo manually by lifting the lid and pushing down the ballcock to fill the cistern because he said we can't all live in luxury, this was the day I moved in 18 months ago and must have been like that for the previous tenant!! I will be glad to leave but want to know that this socket is safe, not just for me but for the poor soul whi will be in here after me.

 

[supergran]

Yes he has kept it in his own bank.

 

[The Ghost]

He has broken the law then. You should take advice upon the matter as soon as you may.
Tenancy deposit protection - GOV.UK - https://www.gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection

 

[Spoon]

Hi @supergran Just takes the advice of @SparkyChick in post #7.. All will be good.

 

[The Ghost]

Actually when I read that you had a dodgy socket, at a quick glance I thought you meant hip socket or something like that tee heh!
P.S. sorry that was a bit silly!

 

[The Ghost]

needs to change to get these cheapskates

In the area I lived the council have introduced a scheme where to qualify as a landlord you HAVE to meet a list of requirements such as EIC/EICR, Gas cert. Fire cert. and so on and you have to pay to submit them etc. Which I think is a welcome initiative to stop these things going on. In fact @supergran may be in such a zone, and maybe should enquire of the council regards that. However caveat emptor applies to buying/renting and if you took it on with a non flushing loo, there is no remedy.

 

[Des 56]

You could go out and buy a replacement socket and a new plug top for the extension cable (the existing socket will cause overheating to the next item plugged in,even if the plug can be removed)

The welded plug will be obscuring one of the 2 fixing screws needed for access in order to remove the socket, some how or other that plug will need to be dislodged,possibly by the screwdriver method you suggested

A new socket and a new plug for your extension ready for the friends spark to fit should save you any blood money the landlord may want to inflict

 

[supergran]

Haha, I had 2 dodgy hip sockets and had those replaced too .
I signed the contract but didn't move in for 2 weeks. When I did move in the loo wasn't flushing so I told the agent who called the landlord. I expected a plumber but the LL turned up and showed me how to flush it without the lever! I told him it needed to be fixed but it never was. When I viewed it I never thought about testing the loo. My next door neighbour complained about his place and his rent was doubled. Only 2 weeks and I am out of here, into a newly decorated home that has been looked after by a responsible landlord.

 

[The Ghost]

Mhmm I was conjecturing where you might be moving to. It sounds much nicer. Actually I had a vision that you were busy with a knife trying to lever the plug from the socket and that was why you were taking time to reply. I know what us older folks are like sometimes. But seriously I don't really think you were.

 

[supergran]

You could go out and buy a replacement socket and a new plug top for the extension cable (the existing socket will cause overheating to the next item plugged in,even if the plug can be removed)

The welded plug will be obscuring one of the 2 fixing screws needed for access in order to remove the socket, some how or other that plug will need to be dislodged,possibly by the screwdriver method you suggested

A new socket and a new plug for your extension ready for the friends spark to fit should save you any blood money the landlord may want to inflict

Thank you we have a store nearby that sells electrical stuff, I will get a socket and plug.

 

[The Ghost]

Oh o.

 

[PEG]

Hi,if true,a landlord who has acted as you have described,and has the power to "double" rent payments,does not sound acceptable...but plugging three items in to an extension lead,with a possible 3 to 4.5 kW draw,all from one 13A plug-top,may entitle him to ask for it to be repaired.

I would be tempted to get a recommended spark in,and simply swap the outlet.

 

[supergran]

Mhmm I was conjecturing where you might be moving to. It sounds much nicer. Actually I had a vision that you were busy with a knife trying to lever the plug from the socket and that was why you were taking time to reply. I know what us older folks are like sometimes. But seriously I don't really think you were.

A few years ago, ok a few decades ago, I would have gone to the library, took out a book on electrics and had it sorted, hence the supergran that I was awarded by my grandkids. Sadly my knees wont let me get down and dirty with dodgy sockets these days . Thank you all for your replies, my bed beckons now but I will update you when I get this sorted.

 

[supergran]

Morning, update. I have managed to wiggle the plug and it has come out by about 8mm. As far as I can see there is no burning on the socket and it seems that the right hand prong is stuck. It comes so far but then its as if it has caught on something.

This morning I moved the heater to another room and switched ity on for 30 mins. I use it regularly from room to room for instant but short bursts of heat. When I unplugged it from the wall socket the plug was hot. I haven't noticed this before but dont usually unplug it right away, just turn it off . Could it be the heater that's faulty?

About extensions. I am aware that 2 heat sources should not be plugged in to one exrtension that only has a 13 amp fuse, and thought it would be ok because the dryer was not being used. Should I have pulled out the plug? I have to use the dryer with the dehumidifier beecause there is no ventilation near it. Theres no power now either so not a problem but would like to know if it isn't safe to do that.

I have a disabled elderly friend who had 2 heaters in one extension and she said she always does that. I interfered and unplugged one of them. Then I almost cause a fire!

 

[SparkyChick]

The plug on the heater should be checked for loose connections... either the screw terminals or the fuse clips. Loose connections cause heat particularly on higher powered loads.

With regards to the use of extension leads... providing the total load does not exceed the maximum load the lead can handle, then it should be fine, but since heaters are typically quite high powered loads I wouldn't use them in a multiway extension with something else. Same goes for your tumble drier because it is a high power load.

It may be safer to get some additional sockets installed in the area so you don't have to use an extension lead.

 

[telectrix]

what's yourlandlord's address. couple of us Scousers would love a trip to oxford with baseball bats in the boot of our recently "acquired" BMW , full tank courtesy of Esso drive off station.

 

[pirate]

I don't think you have a very nice landlord! I have a tenant who phoned me yesterday morning to say the shower wasn't working...it's a gravity fed one, with a booster pump. Had to get a new one and fit it...she's entitled to a shower, imho.
£170 for a pump...I am going to take this up with Salamander, as the "old" one was installed only 18 months ago.
Anyway, I digress...
In Scotland, the penalty for failing to lodge the deposit with an approved "scheme" is a fine of up to 3 times the monthly rent. I suspect, as Vortigern posted, you have a similar recourse in England, and you should pursue that regardless of how you resolve the current issue with the socket. Either use that as a threat to the landlord, or just do it afterwards anyway. These people should be punished!

 

[Adam W]

If in doubt as to what you can plug into an extension lead, London Fire Brigade have put together this handy tool:
London Fire Brigade - Socket overload calculator - http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/overloading-electrical-sockets.asp

 

[telectrix]

If in doubt as to what you can plug into an extension lead, London Fire Brigade have put together this handy tool:
London Fire Brigade - Socket overload calculator - http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/overloading-electrical-sockets.asp

and that's from an organisation that think plastic CUs cause fires. WRONG! poor terminations cause fires.

 

[Adam W]

and that's from an organisation that think plastic CUs cause fires. WRONG! poor terminations cause fires.

OK you got me, I just did a quick googlesearch.
Here's exactly the same thing but in Scouse:
Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service - Home Page - http://www.merseyfire.gov.uk/aspx/pages/prevention/electricalFireSafety.aspx

 

[telectrix]

Touche.

 

[mrloy99]

Presuming that the plug is now removed...it is up to the landlord to ensure the installation is safe for the next tennant as he is required to have the place inspected/tested

 

[supergran]

Hi everyone. The offending plug was removed and I have some photos. If I can figure how to put them up! It was the live pin that was burning it looks like it was touching high heat . Fuse is fine and inside the plug looks ok. The socket is slight burning around the live hole. The neutral pin looks green as if it has been damp but was not like that before. Photos won't load, there was a red error message. I have to hand in the key next week and am tempted to superglue a childproof cover to it!