Socket getting hot.

[saveasteading]

This socket (NB 2 pin not UK) gets hot when powering the adjacent heater for an hour or so. I think there is brown staining around the pin sockets.

 

The plastic is handleable . The pins are too hot for comfort.

 

It is 230V, 2 pin, no earth. The heater is infrared, 1200W with the original cable but a local plug which is a standard one but rather shabby compared to UK expectations.  I've no idea what the mains cable is intended to supply, but presumably a wall heater of some sort.

 

Of course, if it was switched, the heat would not be noticed.

 

What makes it hot?

 

Danger? Action?

[marshian]

Poor connection normally

[ProDave]

Also poor design compared to UK 13A plug.  Where are you to have this in use?

[SteamyTea]

Is it is a Type F as used in Germany, is so, should be able to handle 16A, so around 3.7 kW, though constant usage pay be a bit lower, maybe 2.5 kW.

[saveasteading]

It's Spanish. 

It's done plenty of work without bursting into flame. 

But I'm wondering where is that heat coming from? A poor connection causing sparking, or something glowing in there?

If a cable or connector is undersized or making a poor contact,  does it become an element?

The innards are very simple.

[marshian]

16 minutes ago, saveasteading said:

It's Spanish. 

It's done plenty of work without bursting into flame. 

But I'm wondering where is that heat coming from? A poor connection causing sparking, or something glowing in there?

If a cable or connector is undersized or making a poor contact,  does it become an element?

The innards are very simple.

 

As I said before - Poor connection between the male of the plug and the females of the socket causing resistance to current flow - resistance generates heat

[marshian]

I'd start by cleaning up the plug prongs with scotchbrite

 

[SteamyTea]

Plug types

https://traveladapterguide.com/plug-socket-types/

 

Spanish

https://traveladapterguide.com/type-c/

[Alan Ambrose]

Suggest swapping it out for a switch say with a rating >2x the current needed. Or a wired connection if switched elsewhere. I would not leave it on and go out.

[MrSniff]

We had a similar issue. The socket for each pin has two connectors, and in our case one got bent out of alignment so only one was in contact with the plug pin, so only half the contact and twice the resistance. A replacement socket solved to problem.