3 Signs to know when to change your power sockets
Employing upgraded technology and choosing the best lighting for your home are generally the most important steps to accentuate the beauty of your home interiors. But, when fitting these modern appliances, most of us neglect to check the electrical requirement and overload it can cause to our power sockets. Each electrical appliance has a different electrical load – therefore, its recommended to always sync that up with the electrical fittings of your home. For example, in the kitchen, the wiring and socket specification of a microwave is 16Amp whereas it is 6Amp for a refrigerator. Unfortunately, some of the basic information like this is often missed and leads to life threatening ramifications.
One of the most vital yet highly overlooked, power sockets are an inevitable part of our homes as it ensures power supply to all the electrical appliances. In fact, consumers often miss checking the wear-and-tear of the outlets before plugging them into the power plugs. A damaged power socket not only interrupts the power supply but also increases the risks of electrical hazards such as short circuits, electrocution, etc. endangering lives. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) statistics, at least 3,000 people die every year in electric power-related accidents. It becomes imperative to take pre-emptive measures to ensure undisrupted supply of electricity. Here are 4 signs that one can easily keep a look out for:
Overheated power outlets
Overheating of power outlets occur when one doesn’t use the correct specification of the wire or load more current on less rated socket. Other reason for overheating can be the electrical wiring of the terminals not being in place properly. In case of loose wiring, the electrical outlets build up an extreme amount of heat which can cause fire and even cause unfortunate electrical hazards.
We often use multi-sockets in our home. These are adaptors which can be put on a single socket and provide multiple socket outlets to attach more appliances on a single socket. This also leads to over loading of the electrical socket, often leading to short circuits, heating and fire. We must be careful not to exceed the current rating of the socket out when putting multiple devices on a single socket outlet.
It is important to ensure routine maintenance check-up of the plugs to avoid overheating. It is also advisable to use tamper-resistant power sockets to protect your child from getting electrocuted.
Sparks and burning smells
You need to pay immediate attention if you hear buzzing, popping or cracking sounds from your power sockets. This is the situation you may require help of an electrician and get the power socket changed. Burning smells can be observed if the power sockets are corroded. Modern homes that are equipped with various expensive appliances, it is suggested to switch off the power supply from power distribution board/MCB to avoid electrical mishappening.
Loose plug-in sockets
In many households, falling out plugs from sockets is a common sight. Sometimes, when you plug your laptop or mobile phone charger, and the electrical plug slides out of the outlet holes. Such conditions emerge, due to plugging and unplugging of appliances or devices from the electrical outlets. Over a period of time, the spring mechanism of the power socket gets damaged and it gets unfit to be used for plugging the electrical devices. It is recommended to replace or upgrade the power sockets in your home in such problem happens.
Power sockets account for most of the cases that have led to electrocutions in households. Did you know that when a wall socket breaks and comes loose, just brushing against a live pin or wire can send an electric shock coursing through the body? Young children, often unaware of hidden dangers, can fall prey to this with inadvertent handling. It is also imperative to choose shuttered sockets and have them securely screwed in to flush boxes sealed into the walls.
It is essential that we put safety and security of our home and family first. If you notice any of these signs, immediately take action as it is always best to be ‘safe’ than ‘sorry’. Taking these precautions should be top on the priority list to safeguard circuitry, appliances and inhabitants, rather than doing damage control after an accident.
_20240428142749original_image_31.webp)
_20240928152429_original_image_24.webp)
