Why is My Wall Socket Warm?
By: bob
What are the things you take for granted around the house? Maybe consistently comfortable temperatures, a roof that doesn’t leak, food in the fridge…probably a pretty long list when you stop to think about it.
Here’s another “take for granted” – an abundant supply of power for all your electrical appliances and devices. You bring home a new TV for example, and fully expect that it will start doing what TV’s do the moment you plug it in.
Well, things don’t always turn out as planned, which means – among other things – that problems can arise with your home electrical system. One of those is an electrical outlet that turns warm or hot – maybe even the one dedicated for your new TV.
Warm Outlet Causes
A warm outlet is clear evidence that something that requires attention is going on behind the scenes. Here are the most common causes of a warm outlet:
Warm Modem – Maybe it’s a modem, charger, or some other electrical device making the outlet feel warm. To test that theory, unplug the device and wait a couple of hours. If the outlet is still warm, you’ll need to further investigate the problem.
Too Much Demand on the Outlet – An outlet can turn warm if it’s overloaded with plugs or with multiple devices plugged into a power strip. The best solution, in that case, is to have additional outlets installed.
Damaged Wiring – Loose terminals or wiring inside an outlet or switch generate extra heat from the flow of electricity.
Incorrectly Sized Fuse or Breaker – This is a problem more commonly associated with older homes that have not stayed current with changing electrical codes. Older electrical systems simply aren’t rated to handle the demand load of modern electronics, so if your outlets and switches are warm, it might be time to upgrade your electrical wiring.
If you have a warm outlet in your home, either stop using it or unplug extraneous devices. If that doesn’t solve the problem, contact Excel Electric right away. We’ll diagnose the problem and recommend exactly the right solution. You’ll also receive an upfront price quote along with our 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. Excel Electric – your full-service home electrician.