Last night while attempting to plug in a TV set, I noticed blue sparks when the plug made initial contact with the outlet. I considered the possibility that I was carrying an electrical charge (like shoes on carpet type of thing) but if the outlet is properly grounded, would that really matter? I live in an apartment of a very old house, approx 110 years old. I chose to leave the TV unplugged. Advice?
2007-03-23 07:54:20 · 7 answers · asked by wyllow 6 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
cronos is right on the money...there is nothing wrong with the outlet....the only thing i would add is that buy a 'surge protector'. it will help protect your tv or anything u have it hooked to that outlet. if you don't have a surge protector then ur tv will die out soon and if you got plasma or lcd then it will be dead in less then a year...here is what a surge protector looks like.
http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&um=1&hl=en&safe=off&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-us&q=surge+protector
2007-03-23 16:03:40 · answer #1 · answered by Pro Bush 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
actualy this is normal and to be expected. the spark is not static. the spark is due to the tv itself. Tv's always draw a little power to keep your channels set and your clock acurate. the spark is from the tv drawing alot of power to recharge its built in transformer. in fact most light switches and other power switches spark when you use them you ususaly don't notice them because they are guarded or the are making very small sparks. don't wory, as long as your fingers arn't jamed up there against the prongs you and your home are perfectly safe. Try turning on the vacume cleaner and pluging it into the wall. the plug will spark because the circuit is being completed right there. the outlet is not worn out, but you should leave the tv plugged in because the sparking will slowly wear the outlet out. its no big deal because it would take years of doing it a lot to wear it out. if the outlet does not spark when you plug the vacume in when it is turned off then that means that nothing is wrong with the outlet.
Ps, grounding would not stop the problem.
so don't worry about it. the spark will not damage anything or hurt you. (as long as you don't actualy touch the metal prongs)
2007-03-23 18:04:53 · answer #2 · answered by cronos51101 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It means there is a load on the product you are plugging in, as in the switch being in the "on" position. In the case of appliances, like refrigerators or freezers, it's normal if you didn't turn it off.
Anything you plug or unplug should be turned off first. This saves the sometimes-delicate circuitry. A TV is a possible item that will always spark because of its high-tension tower inside... but rarely other things will, if they are turned off first.
2007-03-23 15:01:47 · answer #3 · answered by mrfixit64857 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You need to replace the outlet, something (maybe a wire) is loose inside. check the plug on the TV also. Also check the fuse/breaker box for burn damage. It is best to have an electrician do this.
2007-03-23 15:05:34 · answer #4 · answered by jim8one 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The outlet is worn out. Have the landlord get it replaced. The outlet has probably been overloaded, or is cracked inside the wall box.
2007-03-23 14:59:22 · answer #5 · answered by Ben H 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
The outlet is old and may have a short. Don't use it! Call your landlord and have him replace it before you use it again, it could cause a fire if used.
2007-03-23 15:02:39 · answer #6 · answered by shorty 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It could just be static electricity, you didn't get shocked I hope.The wiring in the house should have been replaced if it's 110yrs old. If not it needs to be, otherwise it's a fire hazard.
2007-03-23 15:02:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋