Why is my socket arcing inside the wall when I plug in high-power appliances – Advice from Electriman, North London Electricians

If you hear a crackling or popping sound, see a flash of light, or smell burning when you plug in something like a kettle, washing machine, or electric heater, arcing is happening inside the socket or the wiring behind it. This is not something to ignore. Arcing is one of the leading causes of electrical house fires in the UK.

What is actually happening is that electricity is jumping a gap between two conductors instead of flowing through a solid connection. High-power appliances pull a lot of current the moment they are switched on, and if a connection inside the socket is even slightly loose, corroded, or damaged, that sudden demand can cause a spark or arc.

The most common causes are:

1. Loose terminal screws inside the socket where the wires connect

2. Corroded or oxidised wire ends that have increased resistance

3. A damaged or cracked socket body that has allowed the contacts to move

4. Overloaded or undersized wiring that overheats and degrades over time

5. Old rubber or fabric-insulated wiring that has become brittle and may have started to break down

What you should do right now:

1. Stop using the socket immediately

2. If it is safe to do so, switch off the circuit breaker for that socket at your consumer unit

3. Do not attempt to open or inspect the socket yourself unless you are competent to work safely on electrical installations

4. Do not assume the problem is only in the socket face plate - the arcing may ha

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Electriman covers Mill Hill, Barnet, Finchley, Edgware, Enfield, Watford and surrounding areas. All work is Part P certified and fully insured.