For household electrical appliances, the outlet is the power source. Behind its plastic front panel is a base with contacts for connecting the plug. Properly selected and installed devices work for a long time, but malfunctions can happen in any circuit. If the socket is cracking and the noise is accompanied by sparking, you must turn off the automatic switchboard and find the cause of the malfunction.
Causes of sparks in the outlet
The purpose of the socket is to connect the plug to the mains. During normal operation, current flows through the contacts with minimal heat. In some cases, a breakdown occurs when the plug is inserted into the outlet. The higher the power of the switched on device, the more intense the sparking and crackling. The temperature of the electric arc is very high, a characteristic smell of molten plastic appears.
Outlets crack for several reasons:
- Exceeding the power for which the wiring device is designed.
- Long life and natural wear on the connectors.
- Loosening of contact clamps.
- Parts of the plug connection are made to different standards.
- A low quality product with a short service life was delivered.
If you turn off the power when turning on the appliance, temporarily use a different power point. There are several factors leading to breakdown.
Overload
Wiring structures are designed for a specific rated current. The parameter is indicated by the manufacturer on the panel. Before the advent of powerful household appliances, it was enough to install a product with a current of 6-10 A, now the indicator is 16 A. For three-phase networks, the parameter is at least 32 A. Exceeding the rated current leads to heating of metal parts. High power equipment increases the load on the wiring. For safety reasons, it is made of a cable with copper conductors.
The formula P = IxU will help calculate the allowable power, where P is the power, I is the current strength, U is the voltage. For example: P = 10 × 220 = 2200 (W). A socket with a rated current of 10 A will withstand the connection of devices with a total power of up to 2.2 kW.
Overload leads to burning of contacts. The remaining coating reduces conductivity, increases resistance. In proportion to these factors, heat generation increases. The outlet can burn, and with it the equipment.
Worn connectors
Contact clamps have a high load. They are designed for a specific resource. After several years of operation, if you often insert and pull out the plug, the contact plates open. They do not tighten the pins. Intermittent contact causes cracking and sparks. The socket starts to bask and hiss when the metal is covered with a layer of oxide. The process comes from moisture. In oxidized metal, the springing properties are reduced. To extend the life of the device, it is worth turning off the devices with a special button, and not pulling out the plug.
Loosen the screw clamps
If a crack is heard at the outlet, the cause may be loosening of the screw connections. The situation arises due to the heating and deformation of the metal. The process takes place in all wiring accessories, therefore, experts recommend that preventive pull-ups are made once every 2 years. Aluminum wires are checked more often. When pulling up, it is important not to squeeze the vein, otherwise it will deform.One of the mistakes that unskilled installers make is the use of a long screw. The fixture abuts against the wall and does not allow to tighten the contact normally.
During installation, it is advisable to wrap the wire with a loop around the screw. This method significantly increases the area of contact. Modern devices are manufactured using screwless technology. Their installation is simplified and preventive maintenance is not required.
Mismatch of selected parts of the plug
Plugs and sockets are manufactured in standard sizes. In Russia, they use two designs:
- European Type C or Europlug is a plug with two parallel round pins. The distance between them is 19 mm, the diameter is 4 mm.
- Type F or Schuco - plug with protective contact, ground. It is widely used in Europe, popular in Russia and the CIS countries. The plug pins have a diameter of 4.8 mm.
The European plug in size is quite suitable for old outlets, and type F slightly exceeds the calculated parameters. Repeated connection of a large plug leads to the expansion of contact plates. When inserting a Euro-plug, crimping will be weak.
Also, from poor contact with plug C, a socket designed for type F plugs sparks. Connection is permissible for low power devices, but overheating occurs with high power consumption.
Poor device quality
Inexpensive wiring products quickly become unusable. They use thin plates, unreliable fastening, contacts are loosely tightened. Chinese products have low cost due to low quality. It does not correspond to the declared power, it is quickly shaken during operation. Due to the high load, the sockets sizzle and fail after a maximum of 2 years.
High-quality products of the budget segment - products of companies Vico, Makel. The European brands Legrand, ABB have inexpensive series.
How to fix a breakdown
If the sockets spark, you must call an electrician or try to fix the damage on your own. First of all, turn off the power on the shield and notify the tenants of the apartment for repair. To inspect the contact part, you will need to remove the front panel. Procedure:
- Check the condition of the wires, the oxidation on copper must be cleaned with sandpaper.
- Tighten screw clamps with a screwdriver, bend contact plates.
- Inspect the wiring, if there are exposed areas, close them with insulating tape.
- Secure the structure with set screws located on the sides.
Check the quality of the repaired structure by inserting a plug. The tight crimping of the pins indicates the elimination of the main problems. After resuming the supply of electricity, the point is checked by turning on a medium power device, such as an iron. With a satisfactory result, it is recommended to periodically monitor the status of the plug.
If the contacts and plastic are blackened and charred, it is better to replace the socket. In case of non-compliance with standards, you will have to buy a modern wiring product of the appropriate type. It will ensure the normal use of forks for household appliances.
It is impossible to increase the power of the outlet, therefore, to connect electric boilers and furnaces, a structure with a rated current of at least 16 A is installed. If the power of one point is not enough, several should be mounted. An outlet block is safer than a tee.
Consequences of sparking in a power outlet
In a power outlet, sparks and fusion of the structure can cause a short circuit. In the most adverse circumstances, it causes a fire. Bad contact will knock out the machine, melt the insulation of the wiring.Overvoltage leads to damage to household appliances, laptops and computers. A faulty electrical installation is dangerous to human health.
In the manufacture of outlets, manufacturers lay a margin of safety. This applies to original products. Counterfeits or goods of an unknown production may break in a short time. After the first sparks, cod or buzz, a good outlet does not need to be replaced. It is necessary to check its condition and troubleshoot.
