Life Hack: How to prevent overloading sockets and the warning signs you need to know
"...overloading a socket can be very dangerous and cause fires. Recent data from our neighbours in the UK shows that faulty electrics, including overloaded sockets, cause approximately 7,000 house fires annually and it’s not hard to imagine we are putting our homes – and lives – at risk here with the same bad habits."
I’m sure we’ve all been guilty of plugging as many things into a socket or extension lead as we possibly can, especially if we are low on sockets in a room or at certain times of the year, like Christmas.
However, overloading a socket can be very dangerous and cause fires. Recent data from our neighbours in the UK shows that faulty electrics, including overloaded sockets, cause approximately 7,000 house fires annually and it’s not hard to imagine we are putting our homes – and lives – at risk here with the same bad habits.
With this in mind, Carlos Duhney, a specialist in electrical services has shared some tips to avoid overloading sockets and the warning signs to be aware of to avoid a fire breaking out.
You should never overload your sockets and should avoid using adapters or extension leads on a single socket whenever possible. Every socket in your home is designed to handle a specific electrical load and when this is exceeded, appliances can overheat which can increase the risk of an electrical fire.
We are all guilty of using extension leads, and these can be helpful, however, daisy-chaining multiple adapters or plugging in too many high-powered devices such as heaters, kettles or microwaves into a single outlet can exceed the safe capacity. Instead, you should redistribute your appliances across multiple sockets or think about installing additional power points around your home.
If you must use an extension lead, we strongly urge you to choose one with built-in surge protection. Surge-protected extension leads usually look similar to standard power strips. While they both plug into a wall outlet and provide multiple sockets for your devices, surge protectors have built-in electronics designed to prevent power surges from damaging your appliances.
Again, if you have to use an extension lead never exceed its recommended wattage and always check the manufacturer's guidelines to ensure you're not overloading your sockets.
Every socket in your home has a maximum power limit and this is why it’s important to know how much power your appliances use. Standard 13-amp sockets can safely handle up to 3,000 watts (3kW) at 230V but anything more than this can increase the risk of tripping the circuit breaker or more seriously increase the risk of electrical fires.
To check the wattage, find each appliance’s power rating on its label, usually listed in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW). If only amps (A) are shown, use Watts = Amps × 230V to calculate. Following this, ensure the total load per socket stays below 3,000W (13A) and avoid plugging high-wattage devices like kettles and heaters into extension leads, always plug these types of electronics into their own sockets.
Even when they are not in use, devices that are plugged-in still draw power which increases the strain on your sockets. That’s why you should always unplug anything you are not currently using. This not only reduces the risk of overload but also helps save energy and lower electricity bills.
We strongly recommend regular inspections of your cables and plugs to make sure they are in good condition. Any visible signs of damage such as fraying, cuts or exposed wires should be treated. In addition to this, look out for any signs of overheating such as discolouration of wires and devices or a burning smell. If you notice any of these things you should replace faulty leads immediately.
One of the most common signs and symptoms of overloaded electrical outlets include warm or hot outlets and plugs. These outlets and plugs indicate an excessive energy draw and are becoming a potential fire hazard. Alongside this, another common sign is flickering lights or a blown fuse. This usually indicates that too much energy is running on that circuit and it is overloaded.
A burning smell or soot around the plug is another symptom of an overloaded socket and this signifies it has overheated—or almost done so— and a fire could ignite at any second. Another common sign to look out for is buzzing or crackling sounds as this suggests there are connection issues. This too can lead to an excessive energy draw which increases the risk of an electrical fire.
