Circuit Fusing, popping noise!

[EekElectrics]

Watching TV and I heard a popping noise. It happened twice more and then again and the TV went off.

The downstairs plug socket circuit fuse had tripped. Switched it back on, everything back on... it happened again.

I think the popping noise came from a plug socket near the front door. It has phone, alarm panel, router and a side light plugged in.

Is it just a power surge?

Or dangerous?

My alarm alerts are telling me that fewer than 5% of homes in my area have a loss of power.

Maybe a faulty appliance?

This happened to us a few weeks ago and the toaster which had been fine had gone faulty.

How would I work out what it is?

I unplugged the TV, light, phone and tried again: same thing. No other appliances on the downstairs sockets are doing anything. Except the microwave and oven showing their digital clocks.

Damn. Fridge and freezer are off.

Turned all plugs and appliances off that I can get to, reset the fuse, same thing: a popping noise from somewhere I can’t quite locate, and all off again. The popping noise happened a couple of times before the fuse tripped again.

Am I safe in the house? Am on my own.

We had this, and it was our dishwasher isolator switch was found to be faulty. Sometimes, particularly in the kitchen, some appliances are wired into a fused switch that may be lit, instead of a plug in a socket? We have it with ovens and the dishwasher. The wiring in the dishwasher socket had loosened and there was some arcing going on in there which made it trip everything. DH sorted it once we’d discovered where the problem was - drove us slightly nuts for a couple of days though!

Could it be something similar? Or wiring in a plug, or in the actual socket? Something needs tightening up somewhere?

Could be any of those things.

I guess I need an electrician. ASAP.

It is quite likely a loose connection. Might be in a socket, might be in a plug. Take out and examine all the plugs and sockets, look for heat discolouration of the brass pins and around the pin holes. When you find it, stop using it until rectified.

It is more often noticed in a higher-load appliance such as a heater, air conditioner, washing machine, dishwasher, tumble drier.

Be aware that sockets can be damaged by things that do not meet the British Standard, including some Chinese adaptors, and plastic socket covers which are of no benefit in UK sockets.

I meant, take out all the plugs for examination.

Don't take out the sockets, but examine them once their plugs are out.

Thank you PigletJohn!

I have a professional coming this morning, I will look at all the accessible plugs before he comes.

Not sure where all the integrated appliances are plugged in...

You were right PigletJohn - it was a short within a socket, caused by a wire getting a heavy use yesterday and touching the sharp edge of the socket screw, or something.

Anyway - sorted by electrician. Phew!

Glad it was sorted.

Piglet John raises a good point in general - dangerous socket covers are still sold in the UK. eBay, Amazon. Safetots will flog you these handy tools to damage your sockets, risk a fire and teach your kid how to overcome the protections that have been designed in since 1947. Even the NHS and Ofsted have finally worked out that these are dangerous. If anyone still has them, bin them and get your sockets checked.