What to Do If You Notice That an Electrical Outlet Feels Warm
If you notice that an electrical outlet is warm to the touch when you are plugging or unplugging a device, you will need to pay close attention. This is typically the sign of a problem, and you need to take action to fix the issue before it escalates. What could be causing such a situation to materialise in the first place, and what could you do?
Dealing With Demand
When your home was wired, it was designed to deal with the expected electrical load and the average usage requirement for each room. Certainly, a modern-day installation is built to cope with the demands of the electronic and digital world, but an older property may not be so well equipped.
System Overload
Therefore, you may run into problems and experience a warm outlet if you have an extension strip plugged in. You may have six or more individual devices attached to that strip, and some of them may require too high an energy load. When this happens, the outlet itself can begin to overheat and eventually, this will cause a failure. In essence, the circuit is overloaded, and you will have to find another way to power up all your devices.
Wiring Issues
If you're simply using that outlet for a kettle or other individual device, then it's possible that the wiring within the outlet is to blame. Over time, individual wires may come loose or begin to fray, and this could eventually trigger a shutdown. This is an even more urgent issue as this type of failure could also trigger a fire. You will definitely need to bring in an electrician here so that they can carry out a thermal inspection, pinpoint the source of the issue and fix it accordingly.
Faulty Transformers
It's also worth checking to see if you have any product transformers that could, by themselves, lead to a buildup in temperature. These devices are meant to alter the voltage so that the device in question can safely be used, but sometimes, heat can be transferred to the receptacle itself. In this case, you may need to check the transformer for proper operation.
Better to Be Safe Than Sorry
Whenever you are in doubt in this situation, call in a qualified electrician. If you do have too many devices plugged into one circuit, then they may be able to add additional receptacles or reconfigure your home wiring.
To learn more about electrical repairs, contact a company in your area like Smart-Safe Electrical Services.