Scorched extension lead

[djboyd]

Hi folks

Hope someone can lend a bit of advice. Was round at a friends today as she was concerned about her washing machine - so she should be. It was connected to a very cheap looking 3 way extension along with a fridge and a tumble dryer. Clearly this was overloaded. However, the scorching had occurred only on the neutral conductor of the socket (on the extension) supplying the washing machine, not as you might expect the wall socket supplying the extension lead. Have binned the extension lead and suggested that she uses the twin socket to supply each high power device but before re-connecting the washing machine want to make sure that all is ok and it is not likely a fault with the machine.

Thanks.

ps - I am a regular on the plumbing forum, first time on the electricians version!

 

[DurhamSparky]

sound to me like its been a BAD connection with the neutral pin! hence the scorch marks from high resistance joints!

is there any damage to the 3 pin plug from the appliance disconnected!?

 

[High Tower]

hello and welcome!

Simply too much load on a extension lead. and probably a loose termination on the neutral.

Heavy draw whitw goods should be connected direct and not on a extension lead

 

[DurhamSparky]

if you have no damage to the plug cant see any reason not to connect up in to the socket directly!!

i hate extension leads!!

 

[djboyd]

Hi

thanks for reply, the plug is showing heat damage at the neutral pin / plastic surround (slight) and a glazed neutral conductor. The main signs of damage is to the socket of the extension - melted and scorched around the neutral pin. I have taken it to bits to see if there was anything obvious but all appears ok - no loose connections, the neutral bar appears normal on that socket as any other although it possibly may have been sitting slightly further back in its housing.

 

[High Tower]

extension leads are for dvd players not washing machines and tumble dryers

 

[DurhamSparky]

if the plug shows signs of damage i would suggest replacing the plug and binning the damaged one!

 

[djboyd]

Thanks for replies folks.

Yes, I know that extension leads should not be used for this kind of set up. However, it has been used and not shown the kind of overload damage I would expect in that it has only affected the one socket. Surely if overloaded it would have been the plug end of the extension lead being subjected to extra current / damage?

 

[DurhamSparky]

as descirbed earlier!! probably a bad connection on the neutral pin in the extn part!!

overloads can show in different ways!! small amount of disfiguring, scorth marks or full blown fires!!! think this time you been lucky to catch it in time!

 

[mogga]

it its the Plug on extension that plugs into the double socket Id change the socket as well as any heat may have affected internals of socket