We’re all so reliant on outlets these days. Whether we’re charging our phone, tablet, laptop or plugging in our favorite game consoles or lamps, we use the outlets in our homes and businesses every single day. As such, it can be quite frustrating when they’re not working properly.
One such example would be the process of a plug literally falling out of the outlet. Let’s say you’re charging your phone, and leave the area for a while, only to return to see the phone hasn’t charged and the plug is no longer in the outlet; once it’s happened more than once and you’ve ruled out a ghost playing tricks on you, you realize there are is an issue with the outlet. So what would cause plugs to drop out of your outlets (besides that mischievous ghost)?
Daily Wear and Tear and Defective Contact Points
If you’re like us, you probably use your “favorite” outlets each day. It’s not so much that you have a favorite, as much as a particular outlet is convenient for doing a certain job, and you start using it habitually. In this scenario, the daily wear and tear can add up and cause the outlet to be loose enough that it loses its grip and the plug slides out. If the metal in the outlets lose their sturdiness on electrical plugs, this could also cause it to fall out.
The Importance of Having Your Outlets Looked At
Sadly, a loose plug can cause sparks or electrical arcing, two things that are potential fire hazards. In addition, a loose outlet can cause damage to interior wiring, which could lead to a blown fuse or it could cause the circuit breaker to trip.
How an Electrician Will Help
A professional electrician can come and see what is bothering your loose outlet, and will isolate the problem. Next, he or she will can either fix the outlet if it’s salvageable, or rewire a new one.
If you’re in the Rifle, CO area and need a licensed electrician, contact Always on Electric today.