How do I fix an outlet if it sparks?

  • Dec 14, 2020

Electrical problems sometimes arise unexpectedly, and an ordinary outlet can give out a whole sheaf of sparks, instead of its standard functionality - fixing the plug contacts. Such a malfunction cannot be ignored, otherwise everything may end in fire. And it doesn't take much to repair a sparkling socket: a little knowledge and a minimum of tools.

Why does the socket spark

But first you need to understand the reason for this phenomenon. The outlet may spark in the following cases.

  • Retaining contact worn. Or rather, the springs that press the copper plates against the fork with the necessary force.
  • Power consumption is too high. And if the supply wire can withstand the extra watts, then the weakest part is the contact, it can overheat and even spark.
Figure 1: What too much consumer power can lead to
  • Soviet plugs and new European sockets. The difference is only 0.8 mm, but this is enough for the contact to be insufficiently reliable. Hence the sparking.

Therefore, before starting repairs, make sure that the cause of the sparking is not in the design of the plug or socket, and not in too much consumption. Otherwise, the whole sequence outlined below will not bring any result.

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How to eliminate sparking in the outlet

If the cause of the sparking lies in the outlet, then the following algorithm will help you quickly find the malfunction, and, accordingly, eliminate it.

Important! Do not forget that between the contacts of any household outlet there is a voltage hazardous to life and health. 220 V can significantly harm any person, therefore, before starting the repair, you should turn off the electricity in the apartment (or a private house, depending on the situation).

What needs to be done:

  1. Remove the decorative panel of the socket, which is attached to the main part with one or two screws.
  2. By unscrewing the 2 side screws of the main part, loosen the fixing tabs until the moment when the socket can be safely pulled out of the socket.
  1. Take out the base of the socket and check the connected wires. If necessary, clean them again.
  2. Tighten the bolts, fixing wires and contacts of the socket.
Figure 2: It is very important to tighten the contacts properly

5. Check the springs that constantly hold the conductive plates of the socket in tension. If the required force is not available, then the socket will have to be replaced as an assembly.

6. Reassemble all parts of the socket in reverse order.

If sparking continues, then most likely the reason is not a malfunction of the outlet itself, but, as mentioned earlier, in the consumer or in the design features of individual products.

Is it possible to repair the component parts of the socket with your own hands?

Depends on what. If the springs have become unusable, then making or finding new ones will be quite problematic. Yes, and "the skin is not worth the candle" - it is much easier to purchase a new socket assembly.

But in case of loosening of the curved conductive copper plates, the malfunction can still be eliminated. First, clean them with fine-grained emery paper or a file, and then gently bend with pliers or round nose pliers.

Figure 3: "Ears" can always be bent with round nose pliers

And of course, all plastic or ceramic parts of the sockets, such as the decorative outer panel, cannot be restored.

P.S. Watch my new video, where I will talk in more detail about why and what to do if the outlet sparks.