Electrical Sockets

[JoeyB]

When I switch off my electric fire at the wall ,there is a small flash from the switch.This occiurs in both rooms.I have retightened the wiring to the socket and this seeems to cure it but only for a short while.

[Robert G]

Perhaps the switches are old (ie. contacts are worn through long usage) and need replacing with new ones?

[RAYMAN]

I agree with robert.

[brian waring]

make sure the switches are rated high enough for the rated amperage of the appliances

[brian waring]

make sure the switches are rated high enough for the amperage taken by the appliances

[flaming]

Has a water main been renewed near you I wonder? Thames water sent me a letter, following their renewal of mains with plastic piping, telling me that the old metal pipes had been an earth, and that I shouldn't rely on that now. That coincides with a flash coming behind a wall light switch and me getting quite a painful tingle in the forearm when carelessly extracting a plug from a wall socket. I want to follow up more on that as an informal question to an electrician hasn't really solved it in my mind. He tells me not to worry about it but I am now wearing rubber gloves when handling electrical stuff!

[stanleyman]

This is perfectly normal for a heavy load like an electric fire provided it only occurs when the current is being disconnected. The arc you see is the current jumping the air gap before it extinguishes, the same as electric welding. To be safe make sure there is no overheating of the plug or socket.

[stanleyman]

I should have added that if you have used this fire for a long time then the switch can wear out and cause prolonged arcing.

Flaming, have your installation properly inspected to find any problems and put your mind at rest. This could be an earth fault or simply you touching the pins with your fingers in which case change them to safety part insulated type. Might also only be a nerve problem.