Plug sockets are often forgotten about when health and safety are concerned. This is probably because they are hidden away in the corner of our rooms. However, keeping your plug sockets, like other electrical appliances, and even your fire alarms in check and up to date is important. Read on to find out why, and what to look out for so you know when to get your plug sockets charged.
Why?
Maintaining your plug sockets will ensure your home or business's safety and will reduce any electrical hazards that could have arisen. If you don’t keep up with the maintenance, you are at a high risk of fire accidents. How you might ask? Well, the poor connection within the plug could manifest on the outside of the plug, where your home comforts are, your rugs, carpets, curtains, etc, all of which are flammable. Therefore, easily causing a fire.
How can I check my plugs are safe and working properly?
There are many ways you will be able to tell if your plugs are or aren’t working properly. The simplest way is plugging an electrical appliance in and seeing if it works properly. If the appliance is intermittently working your plug is damaged or worn out and it needs to be replaced.
Key indicators:
Your plug falling out
Your appliance's plug falling out of the plug is an obvious indicator that you need your plug socket changed. Over a long period of time, your plug will be used over and over, leading to the damage of the spring mechanism within the plug. Therefore, this means the plug loses its ability to fit the electrical device.
Visual wear and tear
If you can see wear and tear on your plugs, like cracking on the plastic insulation that covers the electrical outlet, that should be a clear enough indicator. Once the cracks are formed it means dust particles can accumulate within the plug socket holes, when the appliance plug is inserted into the plug socket, it would push the dust in. This is an extremely dangerous situation due to it potentially leading to electric shock or even fires.
As well as this, the dust can cause corrosion, if it is there for a long period. If you can see any corrosion on your plug socket, you should not use it and get it replaced immediately.
Sparks and sounds
If you hear a pop, crackle, or buzz when you plug in your appliance, that is a clear sign that your plug needs to be replaced. As well as this, if there are sparks when plugging in or switching on your plug, unplug your appliance and get your plug charged as soon as possible. Sparks and burning smells are key indicators of dust settling in your plug and causing corrosion, something we mentioned earlier.
If you’d like to learn more about the indicators of if your plug needs to be changed, visit this page here.
Or if you need a plug socket changing or would like to use or find out more about our faulty finding services, visit our website and get in touch today.
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