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1) There could be a number of reasons why your “plug sockets are not working”.
If there has been a problem at the consumer unit / fuseboard then this can cause the plug sockets to stop working. Go and check your consumer unit / fuseboard to see if there is a problem there. If you have a modern type consumer unit you should have lots of switches installed. If one of the switches is down then this could indicate there is a problem. If the switch will turn back on then that is great if not then you will need to follow our helpsheet: https://www.electricalfaultsfixed.co.uk/helpsheet/help-my-house-electrics-are-tripping
If you have an older fuse box style unit then there may be a fuse that has blown or a fuse wire that has blown. You should turn off the power at the main switch and check each of the fuses / wires to see if there is a problem.
If you are stuck or struggling then call your local emergency electrician who will come and take a look for you.
2) What causes a few plug sockets to fail?
If you have a few plug sockets that have failed then it could be that a circuit has tripped a breaker or blown a fuse wire in the consumer unit. This can happen for a number of reasons or faults. There could be a faulty appliance or a socket gone bad somewhere. There could also be a break on a circuit if some sockets are working and some are ok. Check your consumer unit / fuseboard to see if anything has tripped or blown and if you are unsure or don’t feel safe doing this then just contact us to come and help. Our number are above.
Back to top3) What causes all plug sockets to fail?
If all the plug socket have failed then it is likely that there is an issue on the whole circuit. This could be down to a faulty appliance, a burnt out circuit breaker, a damaged cable or any number of other things. The best thing to do is try and reset the circuit breaker / trip switch at the consumer unit / fuseboard and see if that works. If not then the next step is to unplug (not just turn off) everything in the house and try again. If that clears the problem then you have a faulty appliance. If not then you need an electrician to come and investigate for you.
Fight every urge to open your fridge and freezers as they will last for at least 12 hours without interference. Give us a call and we will be with you very quickly to investigate your problems.
Back to top4) What causes one plug socket to fail?
One plug socket failing can mean that the plug socket itself is faulty. There could be an issue with the wiring behind the plug socket or there could be loose or burnt connections behind. There could also be nothing wrong at the socket but another socket on the circuit may have loose connections behind it! In any event, this is best left to an electrician to come and sort out for you.
Back to top5) Why does my plug socket smell?
If your plug socket smells ‘fishy’ then this is the tell tale sign of electrical burning, plastic melting and general problems! If you smell this smell anywhere in your house, turn OFF all the electrics at your consumer unit / fuseboard and call an emergency electrician quickly. Do not throw water on anything electrical just turn the power off and call!
Back to top6) Why is my plug socket cracked?
The picture shows a plug socket that is cracked. In this instance the type of crack is typical of overheating behind the plug socket front which has caused the cracking across the front. Likely this is loose terminals behind. Cracks can also appear from mechanical damage such as a sharp object or hard object colliding with the plug socket BUT the cracks would typically be around the edges.
Back to top7) How often should plug sockets be replaced?
Electrical accessories like plug sockets and light switches are not meant to last forever. As much as we want everything to last forever, things wear out and require replacing. If you electrical accessories in your home are over 10 years old then it might be an idea to not only have them checked by an electrician but also have an electrical inspection carried out to see what condition your electrical installation is in. An electrical installation will highlight any hidden dangers, potential dangers and any recommended improvements.
Plug socket can last for several decades or fail within a few years, it depends on the quality of plug socket, the quality of installation and the amount of wear and tear they are subject to throughout their installed life.
A plug socket that was cheap, installed poorly and has been hammered constantly by a tumble dryer and washing machine is likely to fail very quickly compared to a high quality, well installed socket that only ever powers a floor lamp.
If you find “PLUGS NOT WORKING” in your home then hopefully this guide will have given you some insight. If you need an emergency electrician then call us. 😊
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