Electrical Sockets are used day in day out year after year without them none of our Electrical appliances would work, outlets are critical to our daily lives, but they are often overlooked and taken for granted. Do you ever check your sockets? Have you ever had your sockets checked? Sockets last a long time and will give you years of service, but at some point, they’ll need replacing.
Here are six symptoms that indicate your Electrical Sockets need replacing.
Look Old
White plastic ageing sockets can more yellow than white when redecorating old sockets against fresh paint can look really out of place. Replacing sockets when you refurbish your home’s good practice. An Electrician will make sure everything is safe and sound while new faceplates that match your decor will look great and compliment the new look of each room.
Getting Hot
Sockets shouldn’t get hot, faults such as frayed wiring, loose connections, corrosion, and incorrect wire can cause hot sockets which are potentially dangerous. Check your outlets by plugging in and switching on appliances, if any sockets get hot stop using them until a qualified electrician has checked them over and corrected them.
Deteriorated Wires
Electrical cables that power sockets degrade overtime sparks and arching can occur which becomes a fire risk. Homes should be rewired every 25 years and checked at least every ten years. Removing the socket covers and checking the connections will ensure your connections are correct and the wiring’s safe. Never do these checks yourself always use a qualified Electrician.
Cracked/Loose Covers
Cracked covers look ugly and allow moisture, dust and dirt to get into your Electrical system. Loose covers are an electrocution risk we see many loose sockets or even worse with only one screw. Covers should be secured with two screws; cracked covers must be replaced.
Sockets Not Providing Enough Power
Do your floor or table lamps flicker? Or do you feel appliances are not working at full power? The continuous plugging and unplugging of electrical appliances can wear connections down over time resulting in sub-optimal power (as can deteriorate or loose wiring described above)
USB Ports
Anytime a member of your family charges their phone they need to plug a charger into the wall. Now a sockets unavailable for another appliance which can be inconvenient. Modern sockets are available with USB ports so now phones can be charged while leaving two sockets free. Upgrading to USB sockets is an efficient solution for homes with multiple occupants and mobile phones.