Crackling when plugging my electric fire in

[Dave ocal]

Hi all, 

           My first post so please be gentle. Just plugged my Dimplex electric fire in and heard a crackling noise coming from the socket.  I unplugged it then changed the 13amp fuse in the sealed plug, I did notice one of the the copper coloured fuse holders seemed burnt. I plugged it in again and got the same cracking noise and a burning smell.

its a sealed plug so I can’t examine the wires, I took the back off the fire but the cable disappears into the guts of the fire.

So, do I cut the sealed plug of and put a normal plug on it? Or do I persevere and take the fire to bits to follow the cable to see if there is a problem with the wires? Or do I get a spark in to check it out?

thanks.

 

[Andy™]

fit a new plug and probably new socket too

 

[Blue Duck]

Probably a loose connection in the socket or the plug.

Isolate the socket circuit and take a peak inside. Do you regularly use this particular socket for the heater? 

 

[Dave ocal]

Hi, the socket is working fine with other items, I’ll trying changing the sealed plug worth a normal one, thank you very much.

 

[Sidney]

The socket may work fine with other items but it could be 'wearing out' and the crackling is only audible when a heavy load such as a heater is connected. I would replace it as a precaution.

 

[Tony S]

Do you insert the plug with the socket live?

The BS1363 plug and socket are not designed to make and even worse break load. Each time the plug is inserted or withdrawn under load it erodes the contacts.