13A power socket - blackened earth connector on - how / why?

[boxedin]

So, ( because people hate that ). I've been going around the 'new' house and replacing the existing power sockets ( volex and GET )with MK Logic Plus. So far all good, apart from one, in which the earth socket on one side seems to have suffered a burn at some point. I also noticed on the socket face the plastic on the edge of earth hole has a tiny nick taken out of it. You have to really look at the socket to see it. I don't think I've used the socket.

I also noticed both of the exposed sections on the earth wire ( all the wires are green / yellow sleeved ) were black too.

I'm really curious to understand what could have caused this?

Ta.

[buggalugs]

One of mine was like that when we got hit by lightning, the tv was plugged into it (which blew up)

[Cerbhd]

Most likely the result of a blow as someone has worked in it live. Could be someone screwed it back and pinched a cable, is the metal back box blackened?
Do you have rcd protection on the circuits?

[JM]

Any photo's of it?

[Cerbhd]

Just re-read, could have been a faulty appliance plugged in?
Best bet is to make sure it is safe and has rcd protection

[the pips]

We had something similar. The electrician said it was a poorly fitting plug. Created a tiny intermittent air gap which arced across.

[Jambo85]

the pips said:

We had something similar. The electrician said it was a poorly fitting plug. Created a tiny intermittent air gap which arced across.

Yeah but was that on the earth or L/N? Earth shouldn't normally have any current so there shouldn't be anything to arc...

[Alucidnation]

Just change the socket and keep an eye on it if you are going to use it.

[boxedin]

Thanks for the replies.

1. Yes its on a RCD. No, its never tripped.
2. I've replaced the socket.
3. I can only assume that something was 'jammed' into it previously.