Outlet Power Mystery

[zapmenot]

We have a washer and tumble dryer - each plugged into their own socket (UK standard).

Both have been functioning fine for 7 years.

Yesterday I discover that the tumble dryer has stopped mid dry - the lights are off - no power.

No breakers have been tripped.

Plugging the tumble dryer into the other socket the machine works fine.

Plugging the washing machine into the faulty socket it does not switch on.

BUT - If I plug a light into the suspect socket it lights up - as expected!

Anybody have a cue what is going on?

 

[James]

Socket is worn out / damaged.
You should change the plugs as well as they may well be damaged through overheating and this may not be visible.

 

[Avo Mk8]

As above from James.

Possible poor connection, eg loose terminal screw(s), in the troublesome socket.
The probable reason a lamp works, but the appliances don't, is that a resistance has developed in a termination which allows a small current to flow (lights the lamp), but when loaded more, it dissipates heat in the faulty connection, maybe arcing, and the appliance doesn't receive enough voltage to function.

If that has happened, and there is any sign of heat blackening the copper conductors, or the cable insulation melting, that needs to be cut back to clean unaffected cable before re-terminating. Don't just tighten screws on top of a problem!

 

[zapmenot]

Thanks very much for your replies.
I tried wiggling the light plug and the bulb flickered and went off - on - off...
I then took a look inside and there was nothing unusual to see: -
No blackening the copper conductors, or the cable insulation melting etc. or anything else, anywhere.
Plugs also look good as new.
I replaced the old socket with a new 13A 1-Gang DP Switched Plug Socket and its working again.
Given that there is no sign of any plug issues - do you still recommend I cut the plug(s) off and replace?

Thanks again.

 

[Avo Mk8]

Can't really give you a definitive answer without seeing/measuring!
It sounds as if your old socket suffered some form of failure of a contact, rather than having 'loose' terminations.

Are you implying (by saying 'cut it off') that it's a moulded-on plug, in which case it has factory done terminations inside, which I rate more highly than randomly fitted plugs. The only thing to check is that the 13A fuse inside, when you remove it, doesn't reveal any heat damage.

Subject to no signs of damage, you might continue to use the plug, but keep an eye on it, and don't run the appliance, at least to start with, if no-one is at the premises!

It would be good to satisfy yourself that there isn't a hidden problem in the cable feeding the socket, and that wiggling the plug is actually promoting a fault elsewhere in the wiring, where there's a break or intermittent connection that could be a fire hazard.
Time to get an electrician to check?

 

[zapmenot]

Thanks very much - again for your input.

It is a moulded-on plug.
The first thing I did was change the fuse - which looked, and no doubt (now) was, in perfect shape: No sign of any heat damage.

I don't understand how wiggling the plug could promote a fault elsewhere in the wiring. Given that the new socket has entirely fixed the problem I'm assuming that there isn't a hidden problem in the cable feeding the socket.
I will keep an eye on it for a bit - but I think we just had a dodgy socket.

Cheers!