Why Electrical Outlet Sparks

Electrical outlets (also known as outlets, electrical sockets, plugs, and wall plugs) allow electrical equipment to connect to the electrical grid. The electrical grid provides alternating current to the outlet. Then, we plug in appliances to attach them to this socket, and obtain power from the electrical grid to get the appliances running.

In this modern era, every home definitely has numerous electrical appliances, such as lighting, fan, air conditioner, TV … you name it! Even a remote clothes drying rack needs electricity! Therefore, sockets which acts as a window to provide power is extremely important.

If you are visiting this page, it is likely that you may have encountered burnt socket after using for a period of time. Why are these sockets burnt? The reason behind a charred outlet is usually simple to diagnose, as it is almost always caused by similar problems, as listed below.

1. Loose Wiring Connection

Poor contact in the wiring at the socket terminal. This phenomenon will cause the socket to be burned out. When local resistance of a current is increased due to poor contact during transmission process, the instantaneous current that can pass though will be reduced, while the increased instantaneous current of this area may create spark and burn the socket.

In other words, the loose connections amidst the hot terminal screws of the outlets would create a gap between two conductors and cause power to escape which produce sparks that would result in overheating, which is also known as arcing. Since the makeup of the electrical outlet involves these metal parts and some insulating materials like plastics that can quickly burn if a loose clamp doesn’t securely hold the plugs enough. So, how your outlets get burned should already being to add up.

If outlets are appropriately connected and are in excellent conditions, you wouldn’t be having any problem related to arcing. Therefore, to avoid this issue, you should ensure all the metallic parts are tightly fitted together, and your connections are tight enough to enable the free flow of electricity.

2. Circuit Overloaded

A circuit is comprised of wiring, a breaker or fuse, and the electric devices you want to use such as a hair dryer, oven, vacuum cleaner etc. Unrestricted use of extension cords commonly cause overloaded circuit. When the TV, computer, laptops are all plugged into a single extension cord, it creates excessive power load on a single socket which may not be designed to handle that load. When there is a circuit overload, in usual case the breaker will trip and open up, which shuts off the power supply to that circuit, cutting off electricity.

However, for some older homes that were built “back in the day”, when lifestyle were least depended on electrical gadgets and appliances, common wiring was a smaller gauge that cannot safely handle large flows of electricity. When these socket outlets are overburdened with appliances, loaded power strips, etc., The demand is beyond what the electrical wiring was designed to carry. Consequently, wiring will become hot and possibly ignite or melt anything that comes into contact with it, including the plastic outlet. When you smell electrical heat or burning odour, instantly turn off your power and call a licensed electrician as you may be overloading a circuit!

3. Poor Installed Wiring or Worn-out Electrical Wiring​

Wires can get worn out after some years or even months after using. When they do, it could result in some wrong contacts in the outlet. The sizes of these wires are reduced and can break the flow of electricity which would further produce sparks and arcing.

In addition, incorrect sizes of initially connected wire cables may also cause burnt sockets. All connected should be match with each other, at least to take up designed load of that socket. It is rare that a professional electrician would connect two wrongly sized wires, but you or maybe your previous house owners, with less knowledge of electricity, might have had a prior wiring problem. As we know, in this globalization era, people tend to do a DIY project on everything, by referring to the information uploaded in youtube videos or google websites. Therefore, probably during the DIY project, some wires could have been replaced with some other available ones with different diameters.

It is known that wire resistance produces heat. When larger size of a wire is connected to another wire of a smaller diameter, it will increase resistance to the flow of electricity. The increased heat may cause burning plastics because the wire with a smaller diameter has been carrying too much current thus too much heat for the outlet’s insulators.

Hence, if you smell something wrong with any electrical sockets, do not try to DIY by yourself, please leave it to the professionals. If there is old/damaged wiring, for the sake of safety, we have to switch out with new wire. Not only that, with professional knowledge from electricians, insufficiently gauged wire should also be replaced with a size that can meet the demands of your home. Does the solution sound complicated? It is necessary though as we do not want to underestimate the potential hazard!

4. Low quality Socket

In order to save some money, people may buy a cheaper socket, thinking that it is just a common and simple item. Do not ever underestimate the risk behind it. Cheap socket may be burnt easily, or even cause a fire in house!

A qualified socket will have proper wiring connection, proper wire diameter with grounded neutral wire to avoid fire. When you buy a socket, it should also be checked whether the logo on the plug and socket is complete, including whether the company name, specification model, rated current value, power supply property symbol and related warning words.

On top of that, the power should be selected according to the power of the appliance. After the plug is inserted into the socket, they should be in good contact, no loose feeling, and plug should not be difficult to be pulled out. By all means, get yourself certified electrical sockets for the sake of home safety.

Tips for Electrical Safety:

• Get electricians to repair or replace loose outlets as soon as you notice them. You may be able to do simple job such as tighten the wire nuts to improve the connection.
• Call a qualified electrician who to replace old wiring or repair the electrical outlet.
• Get an expert to conduct a thorough electrical safety audit of your wiring, external power panels, and electrical wall outlets before you move in to an refurnished old house.
• Pay attention to your appliances. Check cords for excessive heat or exposed wires. If a device makes strange noises or operates improperly, repair or replace it immediately!
• Only buy appliances with approved safety standards.
• Be careful not to overload sockets, and replace ones that seem to get excessively hot when switched on.

Finally, always keep in mind, only purchase certified sockets and be alert not to overload them. Besides, need to make sure the plugs are inserted completely. If abnormal heating is detected, immediately repair sockets/troubleshoot in time. With all these precautions taken, we can avoid the sockets from burning out and ensure the safety of your loved ones.

If you need to replace burnt socket, or encounter power trip, or even to install new electrical outlets, Winway Home Services proudly serves residents in Singapore with commitment and quality workmanship. To get a quick and transparent quotation, whatsapp us today! Learn more about what we can do from here.