Melted socket

Jhcp1977 · Apr 28, 2021

Hi can simeone give me advice I had a electricia install a outside socket that has melted the plug before I ring him can someone tell me if it's been installed correctly? I can't find the makes anywhere online are they inferior products?
I am not happy as my daughter was in the hot tub at the time so shouldn't have something tripped in the house or the RCD on the lazyspa ? As with it all being melted it was still working it's only because she could smell burning I was alerted to it ?
So from what I can see the middle switch is what it's connected to with a single cable running to a outside weatherproof socket any help appreciated

telectrix · Apr 28, 2021

obviouslyoverheated, but what's that stuff that looks like chip fat running down the socket?

Jhcp1977 · Apr 28, 2021

It's just like soot but with it being open all night it's got condensation on it and it's run as for the installation is it correct before I ring the electrician and make a fool of my self or is it just something that sometimes happens

marconi · Apr 28, 2021

Please show some photos of plug and if it has a screwed on top the insides of the plug too. Also a picture of the specification plate of spa or model number.

Mike Johnson · Apr 28, 2021

Jhcp1977 said:
It's just like soot but with it being open all night it's got condensation on it and it's run as for the installation is it correct before I ring the electrician and make a fool of my self or is it just something that sometimes happens

Why was it open all night? that type of outside socket has a lid that can be closed once the appliance has been plugged in, did you in fact do that or was the socket left exposed whilst the spar was in use? The socket could have been splashed with water from the spar, which contain chemicals and compromised the plug.

Jhcp1977 · Apr 28, 2021

marconi said:
Please show some photos of plug and if it has a screwed on top the insides of the plug too. Also a picture of the specification plate of spa or model number.

Thankyou is this the specification plate ?

Mike Johnson · Apr 28, 2021

Strange specification, Heating: 2050W, Heating + Bubbles: 1850W I suppose it could cut off one of the heating elements to start the bubble pump, but a bit odd.

snowhead · Apr 28, 2021

Looking at the burn mark on the socket and the hole in the top of the plug I'd say the issue started in the plug with poor contact between the fuse and it's holder, nearest to the Earth pin

Is this a rented Spa?

Jhcp1977 · Apr 28, 2021

snowhead said:
Looking at the burn mark on the socket and the hole in the top of the plug I'd say the issue started in the plug with poor contact between the fuse and it's holder, nearest to the Earth pin

Is this a rented Spa?

Ok thank you but shouldn't have something tripped ?

Pete999 · Apr 28, 2021

Jhcp1977 said:
Hi can simeone give me advice I had a electricia install a outside socket that has melted the plug before I ring him can someone tell me if it's been installed correctly? I can't find the makes anywhere online are they inferior products?
I am not happy as my daughter was in the hot tub at the time so shouldn't have something tripped in the house or the RCD on the lazyspa ? As with it all being melted it was still working it's only because she could smell burning I was alerted to it ?
So from what I can see the middle switch is what it's connected to with a single cable running to a outside weatherproof socket any help appreciated

Looks like the plug top has a loose connection causing the scorching, is the socket leaking? all the, what looks like water marks , I would say it needs a bit of TLC call a Sparky in to sort it out soonest, has the Spa been tested under ISITEE (PAT tested)?

Jhcp1977 · Apr 28, 2021

Pete999 said:
Looks like the plug top has a loose connection causing the scorching, is the socket leaking? all the, what looks like water marks , I would say it needs a bit of TLC call a Sparky in to sort it out soonest, has the Spa been tested under ISITEE (PAT tested)?

Yeah going to but my concern is nothing tripped should it have ?

Jhcp1977 · Apr 28, 2021

Jhcp1977 said:
Yeah going to but my concern is nothing tripped should it have ?

I will ask him to test it the same time ?

Mike Johnson · Apr 28, 2021

Jhcp1977 said:
Ok thank you but shouldn't have something tripped ?

Unfortunately not, the MCB will only trip on overload, the RCD will trip on leakage faults between lives and earth, the only thing that could trip if you had one would be a AFDD (Arc Fault detection device) these have proved themselves to be somewhat unreliable in the US where they are in use on most installations.

James · Apr 28, 2021

Can you post a copy of the electrical installation certificate?
remove or blank the personal details.

Jhcp1977 · Apr 28, 2021

James said:
Can you post a copy of the electrical installation certificate?
remove or blank the personal detail

Jhcp1977 · Apr 28, 2021

Will do when I get home

pc1966 · Apr 28, 2021

Jhcp1977 said:
Yeah going to but my concern is nothing tripped should it have ?

That looks like overheating of the plug, normally the fuse would go if it was all to specification and really overloaded, but often poorer plugs are not able to really do 13A for long periods.

What is the hot tub specification? I.e. is it designed for use with a 13A supply plug & socket.

Jhcp1977 · Apr 28, 2021

pc1966 said:
That looks like overheating of the plug, normally the fuse would go if it was all to specification and really overloaded, but often poorer plugs are not able to really do 13A for long periods.

What is the hot tub specification? I.e. is it designed for use with a 13A supply plug & socket.

Does this help ?

telectrix · Apr 28, 2021

that load should be no problem for a 13A plug. as previous posts, I'd say original cause in plug at the fuse. either way, you need a new outside socket.

Jhcp1977 · Apr 28, 2021

telectrix said:
that load should be no problem for a 13A plug. as previous posts, I'd say original cause in plug at the fuse. either way, you need a new outside socket.

Yep got the electrician coming next week can you tell me was she in any danger in the hottub while this was going on as I am in 2 minds to bin it if she was incase it happens again

Mike Johnson · Apr 28, 2021

Mike Johnson said:
Strange specification, Heating: 2050W, Heating + Bubbles: 1850W I suppose it could cut off one of the heating elements to start the bubble pump, but a bit odd.

I'm wondering if that specification is correct, Heating + Bubbles could be 3900W which would explain the burning plug, but not why the fuse did not blow?

telectrix · Apr 28, 2021

no danger in the tub per se. . the only danger would be the outside socket getting hotter and damaging the cable/s feeding it, and any close combustible materials catching fire. get the sparks to fit you a good quality plug while he's there.

Jhcp1977 · Apr 28, 2021

Mike Johnson said:
Why was it open all night? that type of outside socket has a lid that can be closed once the appliance has been plugged in, did you in fact do that or was the socket left exposed whilst the spar was in use? The socket could have been splashed with water from the spar, which contain chemicals and compromised the plug.

No it was left open as I just forgot to close it after switching electric off in the house and unplugging it

Jhcp1977 · Apr 28, 2021

Mike Johnson said:
Strange specification, Heating: 2050W, Heating + Bubbles: 1850W I suppose it could cut off one of the heating elements to start the bubble pump, but a bit odd.

I know that both will not work the same time

Jhcp1977 · Apr 28, 2021

Thank you all speaking to a different electrician I explained that's there's a single 2.5 twin and earth run straight from a outside socket to a 32amp MCB and he said that's not right any way I will wait and see but what's your opinions on that correct or not