# Need answer fast, part of electrical pin and protruding wire still in socket.

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-part-of-electrical-pin-and-protruding-wire-still-in-socket/739328>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 3, 2015, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-part-of-electrical-pin-and-protruding-wire-still-in-socket/739328 "2015-12-03T17:43:01Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2015, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-part-of-electrical-pin-and-protruding-wire-still-in-socket/739328/1 "2015-12-03T17:43:01Z")

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My electric heater, apparently overheated and the plug caught fire. Once I switched it off and pulled it (yes yes I know), the plastic melted and I now have one pin stuck in the (three pin) socket and has what appears to be naked copper wire protruding down.

While I have switched it off, the socket is at ground level and is a danger if it gets switched on again. Plus my cat is curious.

My plan is to turn off the phase (or the mains and employ a torchlight) and use a plier to remove the pin.  
Help.

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**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2015, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-part-of-electrical-pin-and-protruding-wire-still-in-socket/739328/2 "2015-12-03T17:44:51Z")

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That’s what I would do.

In the meantime, tape a plastic cup over the outlet.

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**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2015, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-part-of-electrical-pin-and-protruding-wire-still-in-socket/739328/3 "2015-12-03T17:45:29Z")

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Make sure to get the receptacle inspected by an electrician as well.

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**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2015, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-part-of-electrical-pin-and-protruding-wire-still-in-socket/739328/4 "2015-12-03T17:48:07Z")

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> [@Sicks\_Ate](#):
>
> Make sure to get the receptacle inspected by an electrician as well.

I would replace the receptacle as a matter of course.

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**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\
**Post date:** [December 3, 2015, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-answer-fast-part-of-electrical-pin-and-protruding-wire-still-in-socket/739328/5 "2015-12-03T17:51:47Z")

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> [@Crafter\_Man](#):
>
> I would replace the receptacle as a matter of course.

As would I, but from the OP I gather that they are not equipped to do so.