To power our devices, the modern installation of the electrical system in our homes makes life easier. Nearby wall outlets, adjustable wires and power strips that support multiple electrical plugs at once. She’s great technology! It is then a beautiful scenario until the moment when sparks occur when you plug in a new plug. Hello problems and do-it-yourself…Don’t panic! We are here to advise you and explain how to avoid this inconvenience with the least possible damage. That happens here !
Sparks in electrical outlet. Source: spm
The contact area of the charger with the electrical outlet is extremely sensitive and requires at least a minimum of knowledge of electricity in order to avoid small Sunday bugs where you have to get by on your own. Tell us then, have you ever seen sudden, short sparks coming out of your electrical outlet when you try to plug in your charger? Don’t worry, you’re not the only ones, we’ve all experienced this one day, but only the smartest get away with a clever and effective trick.
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This is because sparks from the socket can be caused in the event that the pins of the plug may have debris and blemishes. We recommend using the sandpaper trick! It’s very simple, just rub the pins of the plug with a small piece of sandpaper to remove the dirty part. Use a toothbrush to remove sanding debris. Thus, there will be no more false contacts during the next use. That’s it, the thing is done and you no longer have to worry about putting your appliances on electricity.
In addition, there is another major cause of sparks called Arcing. When connecting the plug to the socket, sparks may occur if the contact area is not sufficient while the electric current is flowing.
How do I know if my electrical outlet is faulty?
Measure the amperage of the power outlet. Source: spm
After cleaning tiny dirt or burn marks from the prongs of the plug, it is possible that the sparks will still occur if your electrical outlet is faulty. Yes, we know that you are not electric technicians, however, there is a trick to check the existence or absence of electric current by yourself. Indeed, it is enough that you measure it using a voltmeter or a multimeter to know if the conductors are damaged or worn or if the electrical system is not well installed in your house.
A power strip that sparks can trip the house and catch fire!
The power strip may trip the electrical system. Source: spm
Admittedly, no one has enough wall outlets at home to plug in all the devices at once, which is why we use power strips: it’s practical and functional. However, these are not without danger because they may cause overheating and therefore a fire. For what ?
First, if you plug your multiple sockets into each other to extend the electrical wire as much as possible, our advice is to stop doing it altogether! For good reason, this overlapping of sockets overloads the initial power strip and could even present a fire hazard. Similarly, avoid cluttering it with devices that transform electricity into heat, namely dryers and straighteners…. However, you can imagine a power strip with individual and separate switches to maintain control.
Next, choose the location of your power strip carefully, avoiding closed or hidden places because the movement of electricity generates electrons which themselves generate heat. We point the finger at carpets, the backs of furniture and overly decorated places.
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You will constantly be warned of the danger of power strips that make sparks and which may seem harmless to you when they constitute a risk.
Dear readers, don’t trivialize these little sparks by taking them for jovial or amusing fireworks. This is serious business, handle it with great care…
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