Why is my power socket not working?

Power socket not working: test the appliance first

With one socket not working while the rest of the room has power, the fault may sit in the appliance, its plug or its cord. Do these checks only with dry hands, and skip them if the socket is wet, scorched or warm.

1. Try a working appliance. Plug in a lamp or phone charger that works in another socket. If it powers up, the socket has supply.
2. Check the socket switch. Make sure the switch on the socket itself is on.
3. Swap sockets. Plug the original appliance into a socket that works. If it still does nothing, the appliance is the likely problem.

If the appliance is at fault, the Consumer Product Safety Office (CPSO) says to stop using an appliance with a damaged or frayed cord and get the cord replaced. It also advises switching an appliance off before you unplug it, and holding the plug, not the cord. If the lamp also gets no power, the problem is with the socket or its supply.

Check the DB box safely

HDB calls the DB box in your flat the consumer unit. On an overcurrent from an overload or short circuit, the MCB for that circuit trips and cuts supply to it. Its residual current circuit breaker (RCCB) cuts electricity to the whole flat when it detects an earth current leakage.

Socket no power, but the lights still work? That fits one MCB tripping rather than the RCCB. If every MCB is up, the fault may be in the socket or its wiring, which is LEW work. To find which switch serves which circuit, see how to read a DB box.

If all is dry and there is no sign of burning, switch off or unplug what was running on that circuit, then push the tripped switch back up once. If it trips again straight away, leave it off and call a Licensed Electrician. Never tape or hold a switch up, and never remove the DB box cover. For repeat trips, see power trip help.

Scorch marks, heat or smell: stop

Do not use a socket with burnt marks, a cracked face or a burning smell, even if it still has power.

HDB links burnt marks at a socket to a plug that was not fully inserted or to an overloaded circuit. It lists overheated plugs and frequently blown plug fuses as caused by loose connections, overloaded circuits or broken cables.

The Energy Market Authority (EMA) says not to use cracked or broken power points or extension sockets, and to have damaged ones replaced by an LEW. It warns that overloading power points may lead to overheating and start a fire, so do not "piggy-back" plugs into one socket with double adaptors. If one socket feeds a strip of appliances, read about power strip overload.

For a smell with no visible damage, see burning smell from a socket.

Who fixes a socket and what it costs

HDB says only a Licensed Electrician can replace socket outlets. EMA lists the addition, extension or replacement of power points such as socket-outlets as work for a Licensed Electrical Worker. EMA says electrical work in an HDB flat needs a Licensed Electrician, the class of LEW approved for loads of up to 45kVA. EMA also says to verify the LEW's licence card before work starts.

If you rely on adaptors because a room has too few sockets, CPSO suggests considering additional socket outlets, since overloading wall socket outlets can cause fire hazards. See socket installation.

FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY

Published power point installation rates

For the most common unit (per job), the lowest published power point installation rates from 7 companies run from S$28 to S$90 per job (middle rate S$75), for one 13A socket point. The middle figure is a real published rate, not an average. Each figure is one company's own advertised rate with its conditions, not a quote.

See 9 published power point installation rates and sources

Lowest matching advertised rate per company, in SGD as published. "From" marks a starting price and ranges are shown in full. Check the source for minimums, GST and inclusions.

Company	Service as listed	Rate	Source
Skyteam Electrical Pte Ltd	Additional wall sockets (3-pin, 13A)	S$28 per job	skyteamelectrical.sg
AVV Engineering Pte Ltd	Replace Power Socket	From S$30 per job	avvelectrical.com
Electrician24 Singapore	Power Point Installation	S$60 to S$120 per job	electrician24.sg
Yong Jin Solutions Engineering Pte Ltd	Power socket installation	From S$60 to S$130+ per point	yongjinelectrical.sg
Mr Electrician Pte Ltd	Single Power Point	S$65	mrelectrician.sg
Saikon Contractors	Single 13A socket	S$75 per job	saikon.com.sg
Lito Electrical Service	Additional power socket point	From S$80 per job	litoelectrical.com
81 Electrical	Double power point (13A x2)	From S$90 per job	81electrical.com
Spower Electrician Services	Supply and install single or double 13A power socket (non-conceal)	From S$90 per job	spower.com.sg

The table shows published rates to install one 13A socket point. 9 companies publish a power point installation line. 7 price it per job, from S$28 to S$90 per job, with S$75 per job in the middle (one company's own published rate). Of the other two, one is priced per point and one is printed without a unit. One line, "Replace Power Socket", is printed from S$30 per job. A repair of an existing socket may be priced differently, so ask. See power point installation cost.

When to stop and call a professional

Stop checking and call a Licensed Electrician if:

• The breaker trips again after one reset. Leave it off.
• Several sockets are dead at the same time.
• You see scorching, feel heat or smell burning at a socket or plug.
• There is water near the socket. Keep away from it and touch nothing electrical.
• The socket face is cracked or broken.

If the lights are out too, see no power in the whole flat. To find someone for the job, browse electrical companies. Call 995 for fire, smoke or an injury.

Questions