Electrician's Advice: How to Check Your Plugs are Safe

It’s important to make sure your plugs are safe to use as anything that goes undetected where your plugs are concerned could lead to a fatal accident. Follow our advice and stay safe. Below are our electrician hints and tips so you and your family can stay safe when around plugs and electrics. 

Staying safe.

The majority of your plugs and especially those of your most used and favourite appliances are used almost all the time and at least on a daily basis. It’s important therefore to check your plugs and their wires on a regular basis. It’s only natural that they can become damaged with use and especially those you use often.

While making sure you have removed the plug from the wall and that the plug is not attached to a live socket, check that the cable attached to the plug is secure, look out for any nicks, cuts or any other kind of damage. There shouldn’t be any on your cables and especially ones where they’ve been crudely repaired with tape. 

What kind of state is the plug in?

Is it cracked, is it discoloured or is the cable discoloured, this could be a sign that it’s suffered from overheating. Also, it’s a good idea to see whether your plug meets the British Safety Standard BS 1363, there should be a kitemark on the back of it.

If you bought a plug and it didn’t come with your appliance it is especially important to check this, and that both the cable and the plug are connected properly. 

Check the wiring.

You can also check the inside of the plug by removing its cover. Inside (while making sure it's been safely removed from the wall), check the wiring. All the wiring should be attached to the appropriate areas that are marked L for live, E for earth, and N for Neutral. You should get a professionally qualified electrician to do this or someone who knows exactly where the wires go. Alternatively, you could get a PAT test done on all appliances throughout your home and this again is carried out by a professionally trained and qualified electrician. The fuse should be kitemarked like your plug to British Safety Standards BS 1362. Again as with the plug and cable, the fuse should be clamped securely within the plug itself.

Your fuse does a very important job.

The fuse’s job is to protect the lead and will blow if your appliance draws too much power due to a fault or due to overload. The fuse is important as it acts as a weak link, cutting off electricity so there’s no fire.

Different fuses for different types of appliances.

There are different types of fuses for different types of plugs which will be used for different types of appliances. This makes it very important when choosing plugs or fuses if you buy them independently of the appliance itself.

Fuses are usually in the range of 3A or 13A. Always check with the manual that came with the appliance or with a professionally trained electrician if you are unsure as to which fuse is best for your particular appliance. 

VC Electrical - Expert Electricians

If you have any further questions about what we’ve discussed here contact us and one of our team of professionally trained electricians will be more than happy to help you.