Problems with 'flashing' sockets!

[tom-the-sparky]

Hi Everybody,

Has anyone encountered 'flashing' sockets before? A client has a problem with plug in appliances in that when the socket outlet switch has been turned off, and the item removed an electrical spark/arc occurs?

Any ideas about this oh wise ones?

Thanks

 

[telectrix]

just because it looks like water.......

 

[SMB]

im all con'fused'..........my polarity has all gone back to front.

 

[pushrod]

im all confused..........my polarity has all gone back to front.

If the line is in the neutral teminal of the socket and the neutral in the live terminal - then flicking the switch interrupts the neutral, leaving the appliance still connected to the line. Pull the plug and you are still breaking under load and so you get the flash/arc

edit or is that a joke on "fused" lol

 

[telectrix]

but if the neutral is switched, there can be no current flow, therefore no arc. think replace socket, checking the connections and polarity.

 

[pushrod]

but if the neutral is switched, there can be no current flow, therefore no arc. think replace socket, checking the connections and polarity.

Mmmh true , but would you not get the arc as you separate the line even though there is no current flow ??

 

[SMB]

If the line is in the neutral teminal of the socket and the neutral in the live terminal - then flicking the switch interrupts the neutral, leaving the appliance still connected to the line. Pull the plug and you are still breaking under load and so you get the flash/arc

edit or is that a joke on "fused" lol

Thanks, i really do think i understand this problem, and I hope the person who posted here for help gets back to the forum and explains what the score was.


zap.

 

[telectrix]

for arcing to occur, ther must be current flow. maybe there is an intermittent wiring fault behind the socket, shorting when wriggled taking the plug out.

 

[SMB]

for arcing to occur, ther must be current flow. maybe there is an intermittent wiring fault behind the socket, shorting when wriggled taking the plug out.

Nah.


we all know im thick...agreed?

the only way this problem can happen is by reversed polarity or a socket which is not double pole switched?

I did try to explain my thoughts in my previous post on this thread.






however, im thick.

 

[SMB]

err....don't get it really, however I am a village idiot.

From my way of thinking then if the appliance is isolated (switched off) from the socket supply then there definately would be no 'arc' when unplugging the appliance. The only thing I can think of is a dodgy socket outlet.

Have a proper look at the socket outlet, where was it made?

Replace it.

I reckon the only thing that could cause this problem is a faulty socket outlet. The socket outlet is not isolating the load when it is switched off and that is what is causing the arcing.




counterfit sockets?


ive always wanted to be a 'flasher' but I daren't.

This one.

 

[pushrod]

Thanks, i really do think i understand this problem, .


zap.

Well i thought i did lol

for arcing to occur, ther must be current flow. maybe there is an intermittent wiring fault behind the socket, shorting when wriggled taking the plug out.

You've got my brain going now Tel

Trying to remember my physics - have some recollection that 2 statically charged spheres that are touching will arc as they separate. This would be like the appliance and socket when the current has stopped - (mind, its been a long time!)

 

[telectrix]

but the socket isn't statically charged, unless he's got a van der graff to hand.

 

[Marvo]

I don't think a live/neutral reversal would cause any more or less arcing than a correctly wired socket. I also don't think it make a difference to the arc length or duration if the neutral was switched instead of the live. Static would discharge to the first earth available so this would happen before the plug was pulled out. I would guess at wear and tear on the internal brass rings of the socket. Possibly the outer edge of the ring is a loose fit on the plug pin as a result of plugs being inserted slightly skew over the years and this loose momentary contact with the plug pins as it's withdrawn is causing excessive arcing. The short answer I would say is replace the socket and the plug for good measure.

 

[topquark]

Get the giraffe generator off, whether it's dutch or whatever it's name is. For there to be an arc there has to be sufficient potential to overcome the resistance of the 'air gap' at the point of withdrawal of the socket. At the time of the arc, there is a current flowing. So could be a fault scenario.

And YES I have now been to the curry house and hence drinking for all those attempting to take this even remotely seriously

 

[SMB]

there is no way a plug will have arcing on it if the load is switched off.

thats it.....no load...no arc.

 

[telectrix]

Get the giraffe generator off, whether it's dutch or whatever it's name is. For there to be an arc there has to be sufficient potential to overcome the resistance of the 'air gap' at the point of withdrawal of the socket. At the time of the arc, there is a current flowing. So could be a fault scenario.

And YES I have now been to the curry house and hence drinking for all those attempting to take this even remotely seriously

who said it was a remote socket?