Socket problem - corrosion on 3-pin plug?

[Akshay]

Hi just wanted to get some advice on a problem I just noticed today. Recently our cordless Morphy Richords kettle has been making a nasty fishy smell when boiling the water. It wasn't always present but most times at least. We thought the kettle itself was at fault somehow and I cleaned the inside thoroughly but the smell persisted.

When trying to removing the plug of the cordless base from the wall socket I found it was stuck fast, so had a lever it off with a kitchen knife. What I found was the earth pin badly corroded and both the neutral and live extremely corroded and partially disintegrated! The live pin is still stuck fast in the socket.

What could have caused this and is this an appliance problem or the socket. I'm now looking at purchasing a new kettle and new wall socket to rectify the problem but I want to know what the cause could have been to prevent further problems. The kettle has been plugged into the socket for about a year now.

 

[Taylortwocities]

It is more likely that the connections to the SOCKET may be loose. This will cause the connection to heat up and causes the fishy smell as the insulation gets hot.

Have you looked behind the socket? Turn all the power off first.

You will probably need to replace the socket and the plug on the kettle.

Edit, I hope you turned the power off before you used a kitchen knife to lever off the plug. If you don't then you could die doing stupid things like that.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

What I found was the earth pin badly corroded and both the neutral and live extremely corroded and partially disintegrated!

The chances of it being corrosion are vanishingly small.

When you replace the socket check the cables for signs of overheating. If there are any discoloured cores or brittle insulation then the conductors must be cut back to beyond all that. If there's not enough slack in the cables for them to still reach the socket terminals you'll need a proper ratchet crimper, some butt crimps and some heatshrink sleeving to extend them.

 

[Activ8]

a proper ratchet crimper, some butt crimps

Can you point us in the right direction Mr. B.a.S. ???

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Other makes and other suppliers are available.

 

[Activ8]

Good man Mr. B.a.S. thank you..........

 

[Steve]

Hi just wanted to get some advice on a problem I just noticed today.

But . .

Recently our cordless Morphy Richords kettle has been making a nasty fishy smell when boiling the water. It wasn't always present but most times at least.

You didnt just notice it today then . . . Nasty fishy smells are NEVER good, and MUST be investigated straight away, because its the smell of PVC burning. Nobody ever had a nasty fishy smell from INSIDE a kettle, unless someone dropped a trout or a kipper in there.

 

[Akshay]

Good job I didn't listen to the mrs then (as I ever go!), and simply buy a new kettle to stop the fishy smell. A new plug attached and plugged into a different wall socket and it's working fine. Just waiting to nip down to B&Q and pick up a new socket and check the wiring behind it too.

 

[Steve]

I wouldnt go putting any heavy loads on this circuit until you have inspected and got rid of any burnt offerings in the back of the faulty socket.

If all the sockets are the same, I'd be replacing them all too - they may be a faulty batch. For the cost of new quality sockets (MK, Crabtree) you might as well.

 

[RF Lighting]

I still waiting for someone to beat this socket that I got called to

 

[imroberts]

 

[timtheenchanter]

can just imagine it

....well I thought it was a bit warm

 

[Steve]

Rob, do you happen to still have that specimin? It looks VERY similar to the sockets in my new house, some of which are showing slight, faint scorch marks on the fronts (I will be changing them shortly). These sockets, when the switches are on, you can rub off the "on" text with your finger. Unsure what brand.

 

[londonboy]

Are they Marbo?

 

[Monkeh]

I still waiting for someone to beat this socket that I got called to

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i62/RFLighting/IMGP2314.jpg


http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i62/RFLighting/IMGP2317.jpg

Why do I get the feeling that had paint in it?