Difficult To Get Plug In Socket

[zingo1327]

it is difficult to get a plug into my domestic electric wall socket. Any ideas as to what has happened as it was ok till recently.

If it needs replacing how much should it cost to hire an electrician. TIA

[Tilly2]

Is it a plug with a movable top pin? Perhaps the pin has slipped down slightly.

[vulcan42]

When a plug is pushed into the socket the earth pin , the largest of the three, pushes against a rising plate designed so that children cant insert things into other two holes. Over time this plate wears and can stick in th closed position, stopping the plug from entering. It shouldn't take a qualified electrician more than 15 minutes to replace the socket.

[Atheist]

Perhaps you could try sandpapering the large earth pin on the plug to try and make it shiny and clean. Just possible that would work. But if you have tried various other plugs with the same problem, you may need to get the socket replaced. Not a difficult job for an electrician, although you'd have to pay for a new socket and a call-out charge.

[Buenchico]

Vulcan42 has identified the problem, which is an absolute doddle to fix by yourself for less than two quid:

Turn off the power. 

Remove the two screws holding the socket in place and pull it towards you. 

Loosen the screws holding the cables in place and remove them, ensuring that you note which one goes where.

Replace with a new socket, which will cost you £1.59 from Screwfix for an unswitched single socket (or £1.63 for a switched single socket or £1.65 for a double switched socket):
https://tinyurl.com/3ju9wydv

Screw the plate back into place and restore the power.

It shouldn't take more than 5 minutes to do the whole job.

[douglas9401]

I fear I can smell burning doddle.

[zingo1327]

thanks guys

[netherfield]

The answer from Buenchico is one of the worst I've ever heard, no idea if the OP is colour blind, not all sockets makes are the same setup, looking from behind some have the live terminals on the left and some on the right hand side.

[Old_Geezer]

Agreed that it isn't difficult; but always wary of encouraging someone unfamiliar and unsupervised to fix the mains.

 

Do so if you wish, but switch off the main power ring at the "fusebox" first. Make sure the socket isn't live.

 

And make sure the right coloured wires go into the right sockets. Maybe photograph the existing first. Check the markings for live (L, brown, red) neutral (N, blue, black) and earth (E, ⏚, yellow/green sleeving,  green sleeving) at the back of both old & new, as wall sockets aren't always exactly the same.

 

Try not to twist wires, check if back box needs connecting to wall plate earth, ensure earths are properly sleeved and unlikely to short, that all connection screws are tight and wire wont pull out.

[Buenchico]

I'd trust an average 10-year-old to do the job in 5 minutes!

Indeed, I actually have entrusted such a task to a 10-year-old!

Wiring an electrical socket is no different to wiring a plug, which they teach kids how to do in primary school these days!

[Clone]

Wow, he's doubled down.

[THECORBYLOON]

The positions of the wires in a replacement socket are not always the same as the one being replaced so the comparison with plugs is not valid.

[barry1010]

Step by step guide with photos and simple instructions

https://www.wickes.co.uk/how-to-guides/home-maintenance/change-a-socket

[youngmafbog]

//

I'd trust an average 10-year-old to do the job in 5 minutes!

Indeed, I actually have entrusted such a task to a 10-year-old!

Wiring an electrical socket is no different to wiring a plug, which they teach kids how to do in primary school these days!//

There is nothing wrong with teaching kids to doit, one of my granddaughters is interested in these things and has been shown, but to trust them is foolish.  I suspect your insurance wold not pay out if there was a fire (and that does happen).

Well as a qualified electrician I can honestly say that is one of the worst pieces of advice I have heard in a long tim.

//I'd trust an average 10-year-old to do the job in 5 minutes!//

If anyone did it on 5 minutes they have not installed and tested it correctly

//Wiring an electrical socket is no different to wiring a plug,/

What absolute rubbish.  Miswire the earth on it and potentially you leave other sockets on the ring or line with a problem. (ring not so bad obvioulsy but it should then be tested at the ditribution board for continuity).

In addition as pointed out sockets can have the wires in all sorts of places, fine if there is enough wire not so fine if not (and this happens many times).  If you dont torque the screw down properly the constant heating and cooling will dive it back out(It can do this anyway but not properly torqued it will do it quicker).

//Replace with a new socket, which will cost you £1.59 from Screwfix for an unswitched single socket (or £1.63 for a switched single socket or £1.65 for a double switched socket)://

No, especially on a socket that is used a lot.  Buy a crabtree or a MK - unless you like changing sockets frequently.

[davebro3]

have you tried K-Y Jelly? 🤣

[bhg481]

I think the other thing to bear in mind is that plugs all have their connections in the same pattern where sockets have no standard position for live, neutral and earth. I also find it interesting that they've started teaching children how to change a plug when "all" appliances come with a moulded plug nowadays.

[youngmafbog]

//have you tried K-Y Jelly?//

Yes, but not for sockets.  I believe Tallow is used by the cowboys.

[Ryzen]

When we change sockets we always test to confirm that connections are correct and earth fault loop readings are within limits based on the disconnection device type fitted. Sometimes the earth conductor can break when the outlet is pushed back into place and screwed in.  Unless you have a tester and feel confident leave it to a competent person.