Whether it’s a commercial, industrial or residential property, your sockets and outlets are all similar. And all sockets show some tell tale signs, when they are ready to be replaced. So what should you look out for? And how necessary is it to replace and upgrade your sockets in any setting? Well, here at Walker Electrical, we are Preston’s leading electrical experts. And we work with property and business owners around the region, in a range of commercial, industrial and residential settings. As a result, we have produced this guide so you can recognize, the signs your sockets need upgrading.
Signs your sockets need upgrading
Sockets and electrical outlets that need replacing will show various clues about their state. This includes:
- Being hot to the touch
- Sparking
- Becoming discoloured
If you notice any of these signs, and your sockets are fairly new, you should be sure to contact a registered, qualified and professional electrician at the earliest opportunity.
Hot to the touch
Sockets that are hot to the touch could have loose wiring, loose connections, or damaged wires. All of this could put additional strain on your circuits and wiring, causing additional circuitry problems, as well as being incredibly dangerous. Anything loose is a potential electrical fire, or electric shock risk. This usually happens with age and wear and tear, so upgrading your sockets is a must.
Sparking
If your socket sparks when a plug is connected, this could indicate a short circuit or water exposure, and it definitely needs to be checked out. It could be a big fire risk, so make sure to turn it off, and turn off the power to the socket at the panel.
Discolouration
Discolouration on or around your socket is a serious indicator of a short circuit. The discolouration is usually down to sparks melting and burning the plastic, and doing a huge amount of damage internally too.
If you notice any of these issues, contact a professional electrical team you can count. Like us, here at Walker Electrical.