Help - Eeek! Fishy smell from our plug socket.

Cannot be good can it? Will I have to rewire it? Is it a hard job? A new one for me so any help greatly appreciated. Just been telling our lass to put her tongue on it to check see if its live

Anyone had a similar experience?

Have you checked for fish?

Yes we have, Don't use it. It needs to sorted out asap as it is a fault with th wiring I think. Lightbulbs do it sometimes when they are about t go as well. Don't know if it is a fire hazard but best to get it switched off and get an electrician in first thing.

Usually a fishy smell occurs when it is breaking down electrically. Change it sooner rather than later or you could have a fire on your hands (or should that be in your wall?).

Just get a new socket from B&Q or Wickes or wherever. as long as you make sure the wires go to the same place (Red to L, Black to N, & Earth to the open terminal), it's easy. But make sure you tighten the screws - loose screws also cause fires.

Don't forget to turn off the power first!!

Cannot be good can it? Will I have to rewire it? Is it a hard job? A new one for me so any help greatly appreciated. Just been telling our lass to put her tongue on it to check see if its live

 

Anyone had a similar experience?

Not good news that, the socket and wiring has degraded and is burning out.

Unplug every thing from it, and get someone to look at it for you.

It is not a DIY job, unless you are an electrician.

The cables may have deterioted back into the wall and all sorts

The smell probably indicates arking....could be just a loose terminal, but it will burn the socket and cable insulation if unchecked. All the above advice still applies...switch off the power and pull the fuse.

As Artisan said, if the cables are burnt you'll need an electrician.

Note: 'cos it's on a ring circuit electricity passes through it even when it's not in use, so don't leave it.

An electrician will charge you a call out and maybe you will need major work.

Not doing anything may just kill you.

Better spend a few quid than your family and friends spending the same buying flowers

If the cables have burnt, you should be able to smell them. the fishy smell is normally smelt before this happens. If you turn off the power, remove the two screws holding the socket to the wall, pull the socket away from the wall and look at the cables, you will see if they are burnt.

If they aren't you don't need an electrician, it's a diy job.

yup - sounds like the plastic coating on the cable is frying

changing the socket (if that's the case) will not improve the situation

It isn't possible it's got wet at all is it?

You havent had a power surge or a lightning strike have you?

It hasn't been sabbotaged by anybody has it?

Is it the socket or is it the plug?

You sometimes get this if you've run an electric fire form a socket for a long time with a 'cheap and cheerful' plug. The plug itself overheats and the fishy smell is usually the plastic of the plug or socket cooking.

the only safe way to this problem is to get a qualified electrican to look at the socket ,DIY will not solve the problem probably make it worse. it will cost but you will live

the only safe way to this problem is to get a qualified electrican to look at the socket ,DIY will not solve the problem probably make it worse. it will cost but you will live

Agreed - even if it's the plug that's melted it can sometimes be hard to tell.