Wall Socket Neon Plug

[maddymadge]

Hi

In my kitchen,  the plugs are controlled by wall sockets with a neon . Two weeks ago, when I switched the boiler on, the wall socket blew and the electrician said it was the neon and not the circuit. Today, I switched the oven on and the wall socket controlling the oven blew, with smoke coming out of it and although the neon glass is intact, it is black due to the burning. the fuse in the fuse box went down too, so I switch the wall socket off and left the button down in the fuse box until an electrian comes.

any idea if it could be bad circuit? All the other appliances are still working otherwise.

Thanks

 

[Marvo]

I'd start by getting a competent electrician to test all your circuits and also check out the sockets for any signs of problems. I've never heard of neon indicator lamps causing smoke or burning, it's more likely the actual socket itself. The neons do often go black or a silvery colour with age but this isn't usually a problem or a hazard.