Have you ever noticed a small spark when plugging in a toaster or phone charger? While a tiny flicker might seem alarming, it’s often nothing to worry about. In this Ask an Electrician post by our expert inner west Sydney electricians, you will learn the reasons behind sparking outlets and help you determine when a spark becomes a cause for concern.
Why do outlets spark when I plug something in?
In most cases, a small, quick spark when you plug in a device is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. This usually happens when someone plugs in a device while the power point is turned on and because electricity travels at an incredibly fast speed, the small spark may occur.
When you plug something in, the metal prongs of the plug make contact with the metal contacts in the outlet. For a very brief moment, there’s a tiny “gap” as the electricity jumps across to complete the circuit. This jump can sometimes cause a small spark, similar to static electricity.
It’s important to remember to turn off electrical plugs before plugging something else in.
