Why do plugs flash and crackle in Thailand?

[johnray]

I have always wondered why the flash and sometimes crack when putting the plug in.

 

Even in modern condos and schools.

[tonray]

14 minutes ago, johnray said:

I have always wondered why the flash and sometimes crack when putting the plug in.

Because there is 'lectricity' in the wires ?

 

Really in most cases that immediate blue spark is normal as electrons jump from the house wiring to appliance. You can alleviate it by turning off the device switch before plugging in if possible.

 

 

[RichCor]

Hopefully that only happens when you plug in an appliance that's already turned on.

 

The partial answer you seek is available by a simple search of QUORA

 

Why does the electrical socket emit sparks when I plug something in?

24 Answers

 

but, basically, thin metals, appliance already turned on, and there's a instant where electricity jumps a small air gap before the metal bits make actual contact, causing the spark.

 

Oh, and we've been told that Thai electricity is different. (No it isn't).

[fabphil]

because the  electricians, do they really know what there doing ?,  why is there no earth wire ?  so many times i get tingles from electric appliances, even thru the the tv anntena is there ever any inspections/tests done by the electric company prior to switching power on, one wonders  

Edited February 23, 2018 by fabphil

[Suradit69]

My plugs, all of which are in Thailand, don't flash or crackle when inserting them in the socket. 

16 hours ago, johnray said:

Even in modern condos and schools.

In how many condos and schools have you tested your thesis before reaching this conclusion?  Maybe you need to reassess your methodology.

 

[Bantex]

I have a mixture of both Thai & UK sockets installed and all have separate switches for each outlet. The house is fully earthed on all wiring. Sockets are switched on after the plug is inserted and turned off before removing the plugs. I have never had sparks or cracks anywhere in the house. A Thai workman was carrying out work in my house and told me my electric was not working as he had seen no spark when he plugged in power tools even though I was using the other outlet on the same double socket. I watched him try different sockets and other electric tools for 10 minutes before I told him he needed to switch on at the socket he was trying to use. When he went to another room to work the same thing happened, he told me again my electric was off, because he hadn’t switched on at the socket.

[Crossy]

Even "back home" (UK) if you plug into an outlet that's turned on you get a "splat". The difference is that you don't see or hear it as it's buried deep in the outlet (or inside the switch for those with switched outlets).

 

With the contacts as close to the outlet face as we have here you can't avoid seeing it.

 

Nothing to worry about.

[Guest]

I wonder if the greater air humidity contributes to the spark length and therefore how visible /noisy the sparks are here?

 

 

[flyingfox1]

Thai wiring in most native homes are dangerous with ill fitting plugs of different types, they do t seem to grasp the idea that electric supply done right can be a simple process but instead continue to make many different plug formats that are stupid at best, no uniformity whatsoever , most goods don’t have a earth and recently I bought a new extension 20mtr lead what looked like uk type only to find that when I unboxed it the “plug end” only had a 2 prong same as a shaver plug- crazy

I didn’t buy the one in pic for the obvious stupid reasons - the mind boggles lol





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[KhunBENQ]

26 minutes ago, Crossy said:

Even "back home" (UK) if you plug into an outlet that's turned on you get a "splat". 

Notorious for me is the AC adapter of the laptop.

No different whether in Thailand or elsewhere.

 

[sawadee1947]

2 hours ago, fabphil said:

because the  electricians, do they really know what there doing ?,  why is there no earth wire ?  so many times i get tingles from electric appliances, even thru the the tv anntena is there ever any inspections/tests done by the electric company prior to switching power on, one wonders  

Don't worry. With those tingles you'll realise to be still alive 

[biplanebluey]

18 hours ago, tonray said:

Because there is 'lectricity' in the wires ?

 

Really in most cases that immediate blue spark is normal as electrons jump from the house wiring to appliance. You can alleviate it by turning off the device switch before plugging in if possible.

 

 

How long you been here,ever noticed there's only two wires------ no earth !!!!!!!!!!!!

[tonray]

35 minutes ago, biplanebluey said:

How long you been here,ever noticed there's only two wires------ no earth !!!!!!!!!!!!

Ground or not electrons still jump from wiring to plug. BTW my building is new and grounded.

[DavidB1960]

Anything device containing an inductive coil as in a power supply for a fluorescent light, laptop adapter etc. is going to spark because the coil is a closed circuit. A small amt of current will flow till the output coil establishes enough counter-electromotive force to stop the current flow. Has nothing to do with grounding and is perfectly normal.

As others have said, shutting off power prior to plugging in will stop it. The same just occurs inside the switch or circuit breaker when you turn it on, (just can't hear it).

[Crossy]

Actually it's a capacitor on the front end of a switching power supply, but absolutely the right idea.

[MaeJoMTB]

20 hours ago, johnray said:

I have always wondered why the flash and sometimes crack when putting the plug in.

Simple answer, poor quality plugs and/or sockets not making proper electrical contact.

Replace your cheap wall sockets, cut off any replace all the cheap 2 pin plugs.

The problem will be gone.

[Stevemercer]

Wall sockets in Australia have switches on them. You normally plug in an appliance when the wall switch is off, and then turn it on. This avoids the jump.

 

Wall sockets in Thailand mostly don't have on/off switches.

[tonray]

5 minutes ago, Stevemercer said:

Wall sockets in Australia have switches on them. You normally plug in an appliance when the wall switch is off, and then turn it on. This avoids the jump.

 

Wall sockets in Thailand mostly don't have on/off switches.

Almost all rooms have a breaker box if you want to play it that way.

[PerkinsCuthbert]

It's the 'lectric, Sunbeam. Be sure to wear rubber wellies before inserting a plug into a socket in Thailand. It could be your last conscious act. On no account sit in the bath when doing so.

[whaleboneman]

2 hours ago, tonray said:

Almost all rooms have a breaker box if you want to play it that way.

Most rooms I've seen don't have a breaker box. Usually one per house or apartment.

[yogavnture]

6 hours ago, Suradit69 said:

My plugs, all of which are in Thailand, don't flash or crackle when inserting them in the socket. 

In how many condos and schools have you tested your thesis before reaching this conclusion?  Maybe you need to reassess your methodology.

 

can i use that as my profile pic? 

[tonray]

23 minutes ago, whaleboneman said:

Most rooms I've seen don't have a breaker box. Usually one per house or apartment.

Every room I have ever rented has its own breaker box.

[Ahab]

Cheapest possible electrical sockets are used in most builds, try upgrading to Panasonic or some other brand with a bit more quality.

[MaeJoMTB]

1 minute ago, Ahab said:

Cheapest possible electrical sockets are used in most builds, try upgrading to Panasonic or some other brand with a bit more quality.

I replaced all my light switches last week, not because they failed, but because the plastic went yellow after 4 years.

(Vena, replaced by Chang)

[wazzupnow]

10 hours ago, fabphil said:

because the  electricians, do they really know what there doing ?,  why is there no earth wire ?  so many times i get tingles from electric appliances, even thru the the tv anntena is there ever any inspections/tests done by the electric company prior to switching power on, one wonders  

nope

[Ahab]

8 hours ago, MaeJoMTB said:

I replaced all my light switches last week, not because they failed, but because the plastic went yellow after 4 years.

(Vena, replaced by Chang)

We are installing Panasonic light switches, and Chang lighted light switches. A step up in quality and the cost is not very significant.

[jacko45k]

Perhaps because they are inserted and removed under load/live ie no switch on the wall socket to turn them off.

Edited February 23, 2018 by jacko45k

[pizzachang]

15 hours ago, oilinki said:

I wonder if the greater air humidity contributes to the spark length and therefore how visible /noisy the sparks are here?

 

 

I think the reason is the round terminals on the plugs. I don't notice sparking on flat terminals /w ground. I've noticed that the round terminals fit, is loose and the outlets don't grip them well.

[Keesters]

10 hours ago, tonray said:

Every room I have ever rented has its own breaker box.

"you rent a room" not a multi roomed house or apartment.

You get one box, other larger places can have more. My house had about 4 when I bought it it now has 16 although 4 are not presently used.

 

[tonray]

38 minutes ago, Keesters said:

"you rent a room" not a multi roomed house or apartment.

You get one box, other larger places can have more. My house had about 4 when I bought it it now has 16 although 4 are not presently used.

 

Whatever you say.... You must be correct.