A hoy hoy
I realise you are probably sick of electrics and I don't blame you, but one of the sockets in my flat appears to function even when it is switched off, and this is not good.
( Maladicta, Wed 11 Nov 2009, 20:27, 2 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

If the switch don't turn off the power then it's buggered!
Potentially dangerous but probably not.
Funnily enough I'm rather enjoying the electrics.
( blaireau69 , the Cumbrian Travis Bickle., Wed 11 Nov 2009, 20:39, Reply)

Well my letting agent already hates us
for the washing machine filter having Things That Should Not Be Inside A Washing Machine in it. I'm reluctant to call them out for anything else and the only sparks I know is my father... who isn't speaking to me.

There appears to be no tension in the switch, if you get my meaning; it feels too loose.
( Maladicta, Wed 11 Nov 2009, 20:42, Reply)

Gotcha. The locating lugs are borked or the contact is bent. Most likely the lugs.
If you can use a screwdriver you can change a plug-socket.
I can give you a step-by-step if you like!
( blaireau69 , the Cumbrian Travis Bickle., Wed 11 Nov 2009, 20:50, Reply)

Pleeease? I can get Flatmate to turn the electric off at the fuse.
I would be eternally grateful since it'll save me another callout charge. You rock, good sir.
( Maladicta, Wed 11 Nov 2009, 20:51, Reply)

Nae bovver petal, I did the same for Ancrenne and her shower. Got it sorted!
Is it a double or single socket? Not significant, just curious...

Okay, here we go!

1) plug a known-working lamp into socket and make sure it's lit.
2) isolate power. Lamp SHOULD be off now. If not then panic!
3) using a small flat screwdriver remove the two screws holding the socket front in place. Retain these screws.
4) GENTLY pull the socket front away from the wall, straightening the cable as you go. There should be 3 or 4 inches of spare cable. Tilt the socket front forwards so the front is facing the floor and the guts are visible.
5) identify the Live, Neutral and Earth cables and the terminals they go in to. Live is Red or Brown, Neutral is Blue or Black, Earth is Yellow and Green.
6) using your screwdriver loosen the terminal screw on the Live terminal and pull out the (probably two) wires.
7) connect these wires to the terminal marked L on the new socket front. There should be enough slack in the cable to allow this without too much trouble. NICE AND TIGHT!
8) repeat for Neutral (to terminal marked N) and Earth (to terminal marked E)
9) manipulate cables back into metal box in wall keeping them clear of screw holes.
10) using screws from step 3) fix new socket front in place. NOT TOO TIGHT or you might crack the plastic.

DONE!
( blaireau69 , the Cumbrian Travis Bickle., Wed 11 Nov 2009, 21:25, Reply)

Turning the power off at the mains between steps 2 and 3, I hope!
Much obliged! *saves*
( Maladicta, Wed 11 Nov 2009, 21:27, Reply)

Step 2) ISOLATE POWER...
Wake up!
LOL
( blaireau69 , the Cumbrian Travis Bickle., Wed 11 Nov 2009, 21:43, Reply)

It's a good job my father was an electric engineer
or else I'd have fried ;)
( Maladicta, Wed 11 Nov 2009, 21:47, Reply)

Think of it as phantom electricity

( mistaspakkaman and the inedible shifting caterpillars, Wed 11 Nov 2009, 20:39, Reply)

Gave me the Fear the first time I realised it hadn't turned off properly
as it's the one I had my PC plugged into at the time...
( Maladicta, Wed 11 Nov 2009, 20:43, Reply)

Your PC should like totally play "Phantom of the Opera" every time the electricity switches to Phantom

( mistaspakkaman and the inedible shifting caterpillars, Wed 11 Nov 2009, 20:54, Reply)

Doooooo Nooooooooooooot Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaant
that would have the side effect of making me rage remembering being made to sit through that bloody film more times than is necessary to maintain a healthy mental state (i.e. twice).
( Maladicta, Wed 11 Nov 2009, 21:08, Reply)