Quick question about static from plugs

VampiricPadraig

Hey guys. Just want to ask a quick question about a plug that I have and whether I should take action.

Right, I am going to explain my layout. It may sound a bit messy but anyway!

• Wall Socket
  4-Gang Strip containing:
  • Xbox/PS3 (These change depending on which I want to use)
  • Television
  • Fan Heater
  • Plug going to another 4-Gang Strip containing:
    • Desk Lamp
    • Computer (It's just 1 plug. A Y-cable which is going into the monitor and tower)

Now, during the day, I would have just the TV and the computer on.
In the evenings, I would have the heater on and the Xbox/PS3 for about 1 hr, but the problem is nothing to do with the TV, Xbox/PS3 or even the heater.

It's the plug that is going to the 2nd 4-gang strip. I bought a new heater yesterday (due to a fault with the other one, nothing related here) and I normally hold down the other plug to keep the 4-gang steady while I take the plug out (I should mention that I touched the radiator before touching anything electric (as I do when I am going to be messing with the computer)), but I got static off the plug and I not once, but a couple of times.

I got my father to have a quick look (Since I am a flamin' wimp :P ) and I turned off the computer and he pulled out that 4-gang strip. When he plugged it back in, there was a big spark coming inside the 4-gang strip, but everything is working as normal.

Just wondering if I should be worried about it or if I should have a "Sparky" to have a look at it?

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you all in advance

meercat

VampiricPadraig wrote: »

Hey guys. Just want to ask a quick question about a plug that I have and whether I should take action.

Right, I am going to explain my layout. It may sound a bit messy but anyway!

• Wall Socket
  4-Gang Strip containing:
  • Xbox/PS3 (These change depending on which I want to use)
  • Television
  • Fan Heater
  • Plug going to another 4-Gang Strip containing:
    • Desk Lamp
    • Computer (It's just 1 plug. A Y-cable which is going into the monitor and tower)

Now, during the day, I would have just the TV and the computer on.
In the evenings, I would have the heater on and the Xbox/PS3 for about 1 hr, but the problem is nothing to do with the TV, Xbox/PS3 or even the heater.

It's the plug that is going to the 2nd 4-gang strip. I bought a new heater yesterday (due to a fault with the other one, nothing related here) and I normally hold down the other plug to keep the 4-gang steady while I take the plug out (I should mention that I touched the radiator before touching anything electric (as I do when I am going to be messing with the computer)), but I got static off the plug and I not once, but a couple of times.

I got my father to have a quick look (Since I am a flamin' wimp :P ) and I turned off the computer and he pulled out that 4-gang strip. When he plugged it back in, there was a big spark coming inside the 4-gang strip, but everything is working as normal.

Just wondering if I should be worried about it or if I should have a "Sparky" to have a look at it?

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you all in advance

you shouldnt be getting a static shock off the plug or lead
these are made from non conductible materials
get it checked out

Stoner

also seems like a lot of load for a 4 gang lead, the heater in there sounds a bit too much IMHO

ted1

The spark would br arcing, did you get a static shock from the radiator or plastic plug? If it was from the radiator has it plastic wheels/legs?

VampiricPadraig

Stoner wrote: »

also seems like a lot of load for a 4 gang lead, the heater in there sounds a bit too much IMHO

ted1 wrote: »

The spark would br arcing, did you get a static shock from the radiator or plastic plug? If it was from the radiator has it plastic wheels/legs?

Thanks for the replies everyone.

@Stoner: Fan heater is needed since the room is cold and my granddad REFUSES to put the central heating on even at Xmas time (and if you try to put it on, he would switch it off after a few mins). So, unfortunately it is needed in the room.

@ted1: I got a static shock from the plastic plug for the 2nd 4-gang.

whizbang

its most likely the tx/xbox/computer combination.

The filter capacitors inside these are going to hold a charge for a while after you unplug them. if you replug them quickly, then you will often get the pop/spark as you plug in again. computers will often do this anyway.

The static may be just static, if your fingers get close enough to any earth on plug/socket strip.

However it may be a bad earth on the 1st socket strip...! the earths on above equipment will float enough to give you a shock.

whizbang

In the meantime. Please find somewhere else to plug in the fan heater. Its just not right here.

Try to put the computer and desk lamp on the first strip. the rest on the second.

VampiricPadraig

Will do whizbang. I will have to do a re-arrangement. Thanks for the advice

2011

VampiricPadraig wrote: »

When he plugged it back in, there was a big spark coming inside the 4-gang strip, but everything is working as normal.

It is normal for an electrical circuit to "arc" at the point where it is made or broken. The larger the load the more visible the arc. Sometimes this is more noticeable than other times.

As already suggested this is a lot to have from a single plugboard. At a minimum it would be best not to plug the heater in at this point (as this is the largest load).

As for the static, I think that it is more likely that you statically charged yourself up and then you discharged yourself (at which point you would have felt the shock) by touching something conductive that was earthed like the heater enclosure.