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Original poster

Urgent(?) Electric socket making crackling noise

20 replies

Junebughustle · 06/08/2022 23:44

My vacuum cut out just as I started cleaning and then the socket it was in started making a popping and crackling noise.

I'm worried there might be a chance of an electrical fire and I'm in a flap - DH is away for the night and I'm not handy at all. I've tried to get an emergency electrician in but nobody is on call. The call centre person advised I turn the appropriate fuse switch off.

Well - I can't get the door to where our fuses are off! It's screwed on and none of the screwdrivers I can find fit.

Can someone more competent than me advise me/talk me down if I am being dramatic?

OP posts:

LittleOwl153 · 06/08/2022 23:50

Assuming the socket itself is switched off? Can you safely unplug the hoover? Beyond that yes you do need to get to that fuse board - and once youh e got to it do NOT screw a cover back over it - that is the dangerous part. You could solve this problem hu throwing the fuse for the sockets, or if need be the whole electrics- you cannot do that quick enough if the fuse board is inaccessible. Find a screw driver, or try a knife in the screw, or a crowbar or whatever to get into that box - fast!

Original poster

Junebughustle · 06/08/2022 23:54

Yes switched the socket off, and unplugged the Henry. Will try and get that door off sharpish. I do know that the switches aren't labelled, the fuse board is a jumbled nightmare as it is!

OP posts:

HinchcliffeandMurgatroyd · 06/08/2022 23:59

Post a photo of the screw. We might be able to make suggestions.

Have a torch handy in case you need to throw the main switch on the fuse board.

Close windows. Be prepared to close the door on the room where the socket is if it ignites.

Think about where purse/phone/car keys/ pets & children are in case it escalates.

HinchcliffeandMurgatroyd · 07/08/2022 00:06

Junebughustle · 06/08/2022 23:54

Yes switched the socket off, and unplugged the Henry. Will try and get that door off sharpish. I do know that the switches aren't labelled, the fuse board is a jumbled nightmare as it is!

Better to turn the lot off if in doubt, and then call an electrician.

alexdgr8 · 07/08/2022 00:07

you could try ringing the fire brigade for advice.
a friend did this when she had a water pouring down her walls, in a flat, and they were v helpful, esp as she told them she was alone with baby.

Original poster

Junebughustle · 07/08/2022 00:09

Here it is, you can see where I've gouged the wood around it while trying to force it out.

Thanks for the advice re getting out, luckily it's just me to worry about. DH is away and phone turned off as he's doing a fishing weekender

Urgent(?) Electric socket making crackling noise

OP posts:

HinchcliffeandMurgatroyd · 07/08/2022 00:11

Have you tried all the knives available? Or pliers to just grip the head and give it a good turn since it’s already protruding?

(I don’t think you’re likely to have to leave BTW, but it saves time to think ahead.)

alexdgr8 · 07/08/2022 00:19

have you tried Pimlico Plumbers,
020 4527 1339

windthatbobbin · 07/08/2022 00:23

Good advice above. You can definitely get that screw out with pliers if you have some. Happy to walk you through it here if you need. Is the socket still crackling, or did it stop when you unplugged the hoover?

QuestionableMouse · 07/08/2022 00:27

Do you have a local Facebook group? I'd help someone out with a screwdriver in this situation!

Original poster

Junebughustle · 07/08/2022 00:33

I've been attacking with pliers since posting on and off, it's 'giving' a bit more now. I posted in my neighbourhood group but no responses!! I've just checked and the noise has now stopped, as far as I can tell. Still going to attempt to open this effing door anyway as I won't be able to sleep.

Feeling so crap about my own incompetence. Thank you so much for your advice!

OP posts:

HinchcliffeandMurgatroyd · 07/08/2022 00:35

I think your major problem there is that the fuse box is behind a screwed shut door. Nothing to do with competence.

legophoenix · 07/08/2022 00:41

HinchcliffeandMurgatroyd · 07/08/2022 00:35

I think your major problem there is that the fuse box is behind a screwed shut door. Nothing to do with competence.

This!

Original poster

Junebughustle · 07/08/2022 00:43

One of my amazing friends has tracked down an emergency electrician!!! He is on his way, thank goodness.

Leaving that bloody door off in future once he gets it off!

OP posts:

windthatbobbin · 07/08/2022 00:44

Excellent!

AlternativelyWired · 07/08/2022 00:46

Gosh that's scary! Hope you get it sorted and get some sleep. Electricity scares me and I'd be freaking out if a suckers was making those noises. Naughty Henry getting over-excited perhaps.

HinchcliffeandMurgatroyd · 07/08/2022 01:24

Glad you found proper help.

LittleOwl153 · 07/08/2022 09:13

Hopefully you are all sorted now, but that boxed in fuel board is a massive danger and I would have thought illegal if you cannot access the electricity switch off.

Hopefully your electrician last night has got you sorted, but assuming it is your house and not a landlords problem, you need to get those circuits labelled- you can do this by switching things on and eliminating the fuses 1 by 1. Your cooker should be separate (assuming its electric not gas), and your boiler. Then depending on the size of your house you will have 1 sockets ring and 1 lighting ring or multiple of each of these - maybe upstairs/downstairs, any extensions will likely be separate etc.

legophoenix · 07/08/2022 12:13

Did you get things sorted op?

stillherenow · 07/08/2022 12:43

Also get an RCD then it would have cut off (I think?) before it crackled?

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