Plug socket flash??!

[Greenie9657]

Hi everyone

I can't see this being anything other than the socket but I thought I'd ask.

My nan rang earlier and said she thought she saw a flash when switching off a socket so I went to have a look and to begin with everything was fine. I tried various items, using them, turning them on/off, nothing. But then I turned on the Hoover and turned the socket off with it running and I saw the flash. Only a little one from under the switch I'd just flicked. Tried it in the other side (2 gang) nothing happened. Tried again just to confirm and it did it again back on the original side.

Anyone got any ideas what could be causing this other than a faulty socket? I'm going to go up tomorrow when it's light as I didn't have a torch with me, and check the wiring.

Thanks

 

[wingcoax]

With the hoover running you were opening the switch under load, it is quite common to see a flash under those circumstances. What was running when your gran switched off?

 

[Greenie9657]

Hi wing

No idea. I'm guessing she saw it and thought nothing of it than rang me when it crossed her mind again.

I know when things are under load they tend to spark or flash its with just the one side doing it that threw me. Ill have a quick gander behind the socket tomorrow but if there's nothing to worry about I won't bother changing the socket.

 

[flyingsparks]

It's probably the switch contacts on the one side wearing out. Is it an old socket? It wouldn't hurt to replace it anyway if it would put your mans mind at rest.

 

[securespark]

You're gonna get flashes, under load and they're gonna be especially visible in darker corners.

I replaced 5 light switches running a fluorescent for a lady in a gloomy corridor. The 6th was an MK switch. It still flashed. Showed up in the dark.

I gave up. She was convinced they were all faulty.