Hi,
I have an issue with the landlord after a plug socket explode and got black when plugin a lamp. It happened with another socket some years ago and I repaired by myself, but I cannot repair every one super old sockets from the flat.
The landlord sent me a letter saying that i was caused by an overload, then I have to carry on with the cost of the reparation.
The sockets are very old with a small rounded button and the 3 holes (not the sunk ones) with screw in the middle. Really cheap old stuff.
What can I do in this situation? I am sure that this will happen again with other sockets.
Thanks
Replace it, or pay someone to do it.
Tom
Is it legal to have that old "explosive" wall sockets on rented flats?
Yes.
An installation (or part of) has to comply with the rules of the time it was build/renovated/changed.
I have several of those flat (non recessed) sockets. I don't see a quality issue with them, if installed and used correctly. Although I do prefer the recessed type.
Are you sure you didn't overload them?
The fuse on the circuit should blow before you put enough load on it to fry your receptacle (and potentially start a fire). Is the fuse correctly rated? Or did someone put a bigger fuse in there to be able to pull more power, without thinking about the capacity of the wiring/outlet? In this case, and if it were not you who exchanged a 10amp fuse with a 20 amp fuse, for example, I would argue with the landlord that it is not your fault and that even if you had overloaded the line by plugging something in with too much power draw, you should only be responsible for a simple fuse.
When we did the RASI inspection last year, I had to eliminate the flat ones in the bathrooms, but they are allowed everywhere else.
Tom
Totally sure. The only thing that could have overloead it is the vacuum cleaner, I think (2000+W) and it happened twice at night, last time with just an LED lamp. I noticed that the socket made some sparks every time I switched between lamp and telephone charger.
I am thinking on sending a letter to the fire brigade telling the story. I don't want that the curtains burn if another explodes in the same way.
I didn't overload the line............ Can an 6W led-map overload the socket or a telephone charger?
What fuse are you talking about?
The landlord should fix it, it should not have happened and it could have started a fire. As other people mentioned a fuse should have prevented it.
Ask the Landlord when the last SiNA inspection took place and show concern for your safety.
I think EWZ is responsible for SiNA certifications, but better discuss with Landlord first.
I have seen sockets in which the cables were not correctly connected. For example the cable had not been stripped sufficiently and there was insufficient contact area. Probably a result of non professional installation. I have also seen cases of cables oxidizing and crumbling away, again leading to insufficient electrical contact. Especially the nasty wartime stuff when they used aluminium cables instead of copper. This can lead to heat and eventually burn marks even when drawing currents within the legitimate limits of the fuses.
If this is the case, I guess it would be the landlord's responsibility and not the tenant's.
I already discussed it with him and he sent me a letter saying that I have to repair it by myself.......... do I have to change all of them? I already change the first one that exploded.
By the way the "fuse" disconected the energy in the flat and it needed to switch it on in two places: in the flat and in the collective panel of the building.... it was a short cut. And the flat smelled of fireworks for 2 days!
It can if it has a short.
The fuse (or circuit breaker) i'm talking about is the one located on the electrical panel, probably in the basement, that protects you from things like your outlets and appliances burning up.
Are you saying you've turned the power back on without fixing the outlet?
Ours was done for the first time ever last year, and is due for the next in 20 years.
Tom
yes, what can I do? The whole kitchen circuit is connected to itand I need the refrigerator. The installation is a mess.
I just don't use the burnt socket.
This happened in the corona time, so I couldn't do anything. But now it's time.
Remove the burnt socket before turning the power back on.
Tom
Then I would have lived the whole corona crysis in a cave with a candle.
Oh, another one of those just pay it because this is Switzerland (even if it's not clear whether the socket is at fault and it is the landlord's responsibility).
This is really getting quite tiresome.
You lot don't need to reply with this 'stock' answer on every thread.