Socket making crackling noise

Liamalone · 24-07-2013 7:26pm #1

Hi folks,

At our main TV I have a seven socket Belkin Surgemaster with five things plugged into it. It has started to make a crackling noise from time to time today, I think it's the one plug doing it but unsure.

What's occurring here? Safe, unsafe? Simple fix?

Cheers

dingding · 24-07-2013 8:01pm

Unplug it.

One of the plugs is not connecting properly and the noise is burning, or there was a loose wire in one of the plugs.

When you are replacing it one of the plugs may have burning on it. You will need to change that also as it will only cause the same problem in any socket it is plugged into preventing a good connection.

If the fault is a loose cable in a plugtop you may need to replace the plugtop.

knipex · 24-07-2013 8:04pm

Unsafe, potential fire.

Its a loose connection arcing Could be a loose cable in a plug or a loose cable or connection in the socket \ lead.

Unplug them all and look for burn marks. Then replace the plug top and or lead...

Liamalone · 24-07-2013 8:59pm

Thanks folks, sounds like the Belkin is the problem as I think the noise came from a different plug there now. It's very intermittent so hard to nail down.

jimmyw · 26-07-2013 10:05pm

I had a similar problem with a double socket that would "crackle" when something was plugged in.It was only one of the wires was loose going into it.All fine now.

Liamalone · 26-07-2013 11:06pm

Think I'll fire the multi socket on question to a sparky mate, or maybe crack it open myself a scoot!

adrian92 · 27-07-2013 4:25am

Either the extension lead or the item , the one of five, I understand, could be the culprit. - or both

SpaceTime · 27-07-2013 11:50pm

You might be better off just buying a new one. Those multi plug things are often rubbish and there usually not repairable.

If it's arcing there's a fire risk.

Best solution is return it under warranty if it's under 12 months old or bin it.

There are some really badly made power strips around! I've seen some pretty hair raising examples.

knipex · 28-07-2013 9:04am

SpaceTime wrote: »

There are some really badly made power strips around! I've seen some pretty hair raising examples.

+1.. There are some terrible ones around. Seen more than a few melted and twisted ones.. When it comes to power strips don't skimp..

Liamalone · 28-07-2013 10:38am

Cheers lads, had this power thingy about five years now and it wasn't cheap, made by Belkin and looks the part. Will look into it on my return from sunny Aberdeen tomorrow.

SpaceTime · 28-07-2013 12:42pm

Price doesn't necessarily equate to quality with these things.

XVII · 29-12-2016 4:50pm

Hey guys, sorry to necro this thread, but I had this issue today, and it looks like my extension has broken (I've tried it in a different socket, and it was the same noise with the light bulb fading and flickering). Pretty sad, as it served for 5 years, had 6 sockets and quite long cable...

anyway, reading here about some bad examples, could someone recommend a quality extension with 5-6 sockets and long cable please? Anyone used this one for instance?
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/9152708/Trail/searchtext%3EEXTENSION+SWITCH.htm

Denny_Crane · 29-12-2016 4:53pm

If bought from a reputable retailer it really doesn't matter. That many plugs into a single socket though, not a good idea unless you're very sure of the loading.

XVII · 29-12-2016 4:57pm

Denny_Crane wrote: »

If bought from a reputable retailer it really doesn't matter.

and what's a reputable retailer? is Argos one?

Denny_Crane · 29-12-2016 5:04pm

XVII wrote: »

and what's a reputable retailer? is Argos one?

A 99c is one. As long as it's a bricks and mortar store that looks like it'll be around for a bit they will have ensured that the stuff they're buying in meets Irish (more likely UK) electrical standards. It's simply not worth the risk of being sued.

It's a bit of plastic with some wire in it, these things are pretty disposable.

Short answer Argos will be grand.

aido79 · 30-12-2016 4:36am

XVII wrote: »

Hey guys, sorry to necro this thread, but I had this issue today, and it looks like my extension has broken (I've tried it in a different socket, and it was the same noise with the light bulb fading and flickering). Pretty sad, as it served for 5 years, had 6 sockets and quite long cable...

anyway, reading here about some bad examples, could someone recommend a quality extension with 5-6 sockets and long cable please? Anyone used this one for instance?
http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/9152708/Trail/searchtext%3EEXTENSION+SWITCH.htm

Might be worth having a good at rewiring the plug before spending money on a new one. Seeing as you have plenty of length on the cable you can afford to cut the plug off and start again with a new plug.

stimpson · 05-01-2017 9:00pm

I got one of these recently. 2m cable, surge protection and insurance if a device gets fried.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0001P0GGM/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1483649932&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=Masterplug&dpPl=1&dpID=31nBg9pF-1L&ref=plSrch

Sorry, 6 gang version here

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000GJCSV4/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1483649932&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=Masterplug&dpPl=1&dpID=31CEtVhqp%2BL&ref=plSrch

Socket making crackling noise

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