Im moving my desk/pc to the otherside of my room which the plug socket has never really been used and looks pretty old and ruff, im worried about plugging my few month old pc into and it getting damaged, is there any sort of way i can check the socket is all good?
Checking wall socket.
- Thread starter casual123
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Soldato
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- 14 Sep 2010
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Yeah, you can buy circuit tester plugs from a certain major electrical supplier who's name begins with 'M' 
It's highly unlikely anything will be wrong with the socket. Is it just old and dirty or does there look something wrong with it? For example the wall damp and the screws rusty or bits broken off it.
The few things are:
1) Wired incorrectly.. you'd probably know by now
As you don't sound like the type to be taking off the faceplate and poking round with a multimeter there are socket testers available like this one. I use one whenever I change a faceplate as it is so quick and simple.
2) The switch is dodgy and doesn't engage properly. You'll probably here a fizzing or crackling sound when switching and you might hear a burst of static if the radio is on.
3) The terminals are corroded. Probably wouldn't cause you much problem with a PC but you could plug in a 3KW electric heator or other heavy load and leave it for a while. If the plug becomes hot or starts smoking you know you have a problem..
Post a pic if you're worried about it
/edit - I suppose I should say I am in no way an electrician!
The few things are:
1) Wired incorrectly.. you'd probably know by now
As you don't sound like the type to be taking off the faceplate and poking round with a multimeter there are socket testers available like this one. I use one whenever I change a faceplate as it is so quick and simple.
2) The switch is dodgy and doesn't engage properly. You'll probably here a fizzing or crackling sound when switching and you might hear a burst of static if the radio is on.
3) The terminals are corroded. Probably wouldn't cause you much problem with a PC but you could plug in a 3KW electric heator or other heavy load and leave it for a while. If the plug becomes hot or starts smoking you know you have a problem..
Post a pic if you're worried about it
/edit - I suppose I should say I am in no way an electrician!
Last edited:
Soldato
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Live on the edge, go for it 
Joking aside, I'm sure it will be fine unless it has history of being problematic.
Joking aside, I'm sure it will be fine unless it has history of being problematic.
Soldato
- Joined
- 10 Jun 2010
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- 5,158
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- Scotland
