Heater Melting Plug Sockets?

[waterlocke22]

After using this heater for months now without any problems lately have been smelling a burning smell when been on however no obvious signs there was anything wrong. Last night when i unplugged it to carry into bedroom to use the plug of the heater burnt my hand it was so hot and had cracked and burnt the plug socket it was in. My partner has replaced the fuse today and put a new plug case on the end of the heater we plugged it into an extension lead which was in a different plug socket to the one that was burnt yesterday and after about 10 mins xtension lead was smoking and too hot to touch. Pictures here : http://tinypic.com/useralbum.php?ua=%2FI3eiTO1o2RitzBmrmS9Qg%3D%3D Why is this happening?

[tonyav]

I don't know what is causing it, but stop using it for safty's sake before you have a fire.

[Old_Geezer]

It is probably arcing inside due to a poor connection. May be in the plug, both original and replaced, or the extension socket. Need to check it all and replace what is damaged.

[boxtops]

Looks like something the matter with the heater to me. What happens if you use something else in that socket?

[sandyRoe]

It's not necessarily a problem with the heater. The same happened to me in a flat I used to have. The plug socket half melted with the heat.

[Sam1960]

STOP USING IT. either have it checked by a professional, or buy a new one. But in the meantime please stop using it

[douglas9401]

Is the heater designed to operate via a plug and socket?

[waterlocke22]

I have stopped using it i'm not that crazy lol! Just wanted to see if it worked after partner had changed fuse etc. Both the plug socket yesterday and the extension lead today have had my phone charger plugged in all day with no problems and phone charger is still working perfectly so I'm pretty sure it's the heater! I wanted to ask first in case someone could tell me exactly what is wrong so i could act like i had had someone to look at it because my landlord will probably try and blame me and take money from my deposit as i don't have a clue about these kind of things. :( thanks for your answers though

[tonyav]

Right I see, it belongs to the landlord, just tell the landlord its gone kaput. These things happen with electrical appliances.

[jomifl]

overheating in a plug can be caused by several things;
1. fuse wrong rating
2. fuse not gripped tightly enough
3. wire grip screws loose
4. wires broken inside the insulation
5. socket not gripping the plug pins tightly enough
6. wire connections in the socket loose.

Your photos indicate that the fuse/holder/connection is the cause of the problem. You need a new plug and the correct fuse. If you get the same problem then you heater is faulty and should be dumped as it probably has a short circuit in the heater elements.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Has this heater got feet ...or do you fix it to the wall?

[Old_Geezer]

Surely if it were a simple overload the fuse would have gone.

[jomifl]

Methyl, we don't know yet whether it is an overload or a defective plug/fuse, but you are right about the wall socket, it is definitely not just resting :o)