Is this something dangerous? Electric related.

[DizzyTiana]

I just switched off my tv at the wall and heard a slight sizzle sound when I clicked the switch off. It's not something I usually hear.
Should I be concerned about it?
I'm very anxious when it comes to anything electrical so don't want to get an electrician out if it's nothing to worry about.

How old is your TV?

How old is the socket on the wall with the switch? We had one like that, it made a kind of fizzing sound when you turned the switch on or off. Got an electrician to replace 5 of them, he said they all seemed to be about 20 years old, and the switches can lose their springiness. The sockets were £8.99 each with USB for charging. He charged £50 to come out and £20 labour.

Sockets about 15 yrs old
Tv about 8 yrs old.

Do you think it's an emergency or can wait a bit ?

It's not the end of the world, our was like that for about 2 years, but it can get annoying and it isn't how they should be. Why do you want to delay? Can't you afford an electrician right now? If you are renting the landlord should replace it. A quick question, if your TV is a modern one (and 2016 is modern), why aren't you just turning it off with the remote?

My laptop charger does this too and I just asked DH and he said "oh yeah, that's real bad. That's how house fires get started. You should replace that." DH knows a lot about electrical stuff, so I think it would be worth replacing your buzzing thing. I will do that too.

I turn everything off by the mains when I'm not using it. Is that bad to do? I always thought it was safer to do this. I've just realised it's actually an extension lead plugged into the socket not the tv itself. Extension has 3 things connected.

Should I replace the wall socket? Now I'm freaking out. I've just put the switch on and it didn't do it.

So lose the extension lead, or replace it with a surge protector strip. Extension leads can cause issues especially if they are not the type with their own fuses.

The fizz will be arcing. Is it the socket in the wall making the noise or coming from the extension socket. Either way whatever it is will want replacing.

It definitely shortens the life of your electronics.

Electronics like to be run at a steady state, surges in current, heating and cooling are when things fail. Light bulbs are classic example - they blow as you switch them on.

One thing that came from the eu is that standby has to consume under 0.5W of power. (about 90p per year)

If it's the switch in the wall socket, then yes it'll probably be a little arcing. It's no big deal. The switch is probably just wearing out (after being turned on and off frequently for 15 years). The socket probably does need replacing. Not an emergency. If you can't bear it, then leave it switched on, or use a different socket.

Ok so switching tv off at mains when I'm not using it is worse? What about bedtime and when I leave the house?

Get them switched off. It costs a fortune, even toasters and microwaves
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10758091/How-does-cost-leave-electronic-devices-standby.html

If you've got a possible short-circuit then switch it off at the mains when not in use. Otherwise, there's a small electrical current running through it and that's what potentially causes house fires (as the poster above who's husband said this says).

Try replacing the extension lead first - even swapping it for another one in the house - see if the same thing happens. If it does, it's not the extension lead and you'll need to get your tv/plug/socket looked at.

Just a thought but could I have made the switch make a noise if I was hesitant to switch it off. Like being a bit slow instead of a quick flick?

Yes. If it was held between on and off it could have arced.

You're not supposed to do that. But in any case, a switch in good condition with a reliable spring action should help you avoid arcing.

It was only a split second slower than usual.
I'm thinking it's just an old socket that needs looking at / replacing.
I was mainly concerned as last year we had a bigger electrical issue that affected the whole house, so now any little thing worries me.