Socket-outlets usage and safety
It is common practice to plug in several electrical products to one wall socket in your home, but it is not always safe to do so.
Most people use extension leads, cable reels and block adaptors in their homes to increase the number of appliances you can plug into a wall socket.
But it’s important to avoid overloading sockets as this creates a risk of fire.
Check the current rating of the extension lead before plugging appliances into it. Most extension leads are rated at 13A but some older ones and many cable reels may be only 10A or less.
The rating should be clearly marked on the front for cable reels and on the back or underside of extension leads. If not, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Don’t overload a wall socket by:
- plugging in appliances to an extension lead that together exceed the maximum current rating stated for that lead.
- plugging an extension lead into another extension lead as this could cause the plug in the wall socket to overheat.
Use our socket overload calculator
This helps you check if you’re exceeding the maximum load. And check our advice on using extension leads, cable reels, and block adaptors.
Using cable reels safely
- It's important they are fitted with a thermal-cutout.
- Make sure they are fully unwound if you need the full current rating.
- The current rating is typically as low as 3 or 4A when wound.
Stay safe with electrical products
Check plugs and sockets
Don't ignore burn marks, ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) sounds, fuses blowing, circuit-breakers tripping, or if it feels hot to touch.
Unplug and contact the retailer, manufacturer, or a qualified repair technician.
Protect with an RCD
An RCD (residual current device) in your consumer unit (fusebox) protects you from electric shocks if a product is faulty.
If you don’t have RCD protection, use an RCD plug on the socket where the product is plugged in.
Fit smoke and heat alarms
Ensure there is at least one smoke or heat alarm per floor in your property. Fit enough alarms to cover all areas where a fire could start.
Test alarms at least once a month. Replace them every ten years or when the replace by date is reached.
Selected FAQs
Answers to the most commonly-asked questions we receive about electrical safety.
A periodic inspection is an inspection and associated testing to check whether an electrical installation is in a satisfactory condition for continued service. On completion of the necessary inspection and testing, an Electrical Installation Condition Report will be issued detailing any observed damage, deterioration, defects, dangerous conditions and any non-compliances with the present-day safety standard which might give rise to danger.
It is recommended that periodic inspection and testing is carried out at the following times:
- for tenanted properties, every 5 years or at each change of occupancy, whichever is sooner
- at least every 10 years for an owner-occupied home
- at least every 5 years for a business
The Landlords and Tenant Act 1985 requires landlords of properties with short leases to keep the electrical wiring in repair and in proper working order. We recommend landlords arrange for periodic inspection and testing to be carried out by a registered electrician at the relevant intervals shown above.
Periodic inspection and testing of the electrics should be carried out more frequently on the places and premises listed here:
- 3 years for a caravan
- 1 year for a swimming pool
Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons, such as registered electricians.
First, you need to find out whether the electrician you used is actually registered. To do this, contact the operator of the scheme they have claimed to be part of, and they will tell you whether this is the case. If they are registered, the scheme operator can guide you through their complaints procedure.
If you find out the electrician misled you and is not registered, you should report this to your local Trading Standards Department as they are breaking the law. We would also recommend that you get an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) carried out on your home; this will assess any work that has been undertaken and will act as sufficient documentation to certify that work. This needs to be carried out by a registered electrician and unfortunately will be an added cost for you.
To find a registered electrician near you, please go to the Find an Electrician section of this website where you will find information specific to your region of the UK.
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