Why is my socket outlet getting dangerously hot when charging my phone overnight – Advice from Electriman, North London Electricians

Finding a hot socket when you unplug your phone charger in the morning can be alarming, and rightly so. A socket that is warm to the touch or genuinely hot is never normal and should always be taken seriously. Here is what is most likely happening and what you should do about it.

The most common reason a socket overheats is a loose connection inside the back box or at the terminals of the socket itself. Over time, the screws that clamp the copper conductors in place can work loose due to the expansion and contraction that happens as the socket heats and cools with everyday use. A loose connection creates electrical resistance at that point, and resistance creates heat. This is sometimes made worse by poor quality sockets or socket outlets that are years old.

A second common cause is a faulty phone charger. Cheap or counterfeit chargers, particularly those not carrying a genuine CE or UKCA mark, can draw irregular current and cause the socket to work harder than it should. If you have noticed the problem with one specific charger but not others, that charger is likely the culprit and should be thrown away immediately.

Overloading can also be a factor. If you are using an extension lead plugged into that socket, or if several devices share the same circuit, the combined load can cause warmth to build up.

What you should do right now:

1. Unplug everything from the socket and stop using it.

2. Switch off the socket at the wal

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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.