Mend > Switches and Sockets

Blown triple socket?

Hello,

I plugged two fan heaters into a triple wall socket and something's now blown - but I'm not sure what. I've changed the 13a fuse in the triple wall socket, and flipped the trip switch back to 'on' on my main fuse board - but the socket still doesn’t work. Any ideas what it could be?

Oh, my dad changed it from a single socket to a triple one, but he did a proper job - channelling out the wall and everything.

I've tested ta charger and it works fine in another socket, but not this triple wall socket.

A

A Thomas
November 2009

D.I.Y, Switches and Sockets Socket Fan Wall

Peccavi, note I said LIVE conductor and not LINE conductor - LIVE including neutral but not PEN.

Adam
November 2009

Or perhaps a break in a neutral conductor

Peccavi
November 2009

A phone charger really isn't the best thing to check a socket with - best to use a Martindale type plug in tester, or at the very least a table lamp.

Personally I would start by switching the power off and having a look at the back of the socket for things like evidence of overheating, condition of connections, etc.

Is the socket on a radial or ring final circuit?
What is the rating of the breaker/fuse at the consumer unit?
Do the other sockets on the same circuit work?

To answer your question, there is a break in one of the live conductors somewhere.

Adam
November 2009

I dont think you answered my question. I've removed all plugs, changed the fuse on the triple wall socket and checked the fuseboard.

I then tested the triple wall socket with a phone charger (which works for sure) and it doesnt work in the triple wall socket. What could be wrong with the triple wall socket?

A
November 2009

Add up the total Wattage you are using (you can get this from the rating plate on the devices) and divide by the voltage - Europe = 230V

This gives you the current - if the Wattage is 3kW or above you will be taking more than 13A

3000 divided by 230 = 13.04A

It has nothing to do with the Triple socket - just the amount of current you are trying to pull down the circuit. Plugs will melt - breakers will trip etc etc. If they don't behave this way cables will get hot and there's a risk of fire.

Get your dad back - or an electrician

Peccavi
November 2009