# Plug heating **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 26, 2014, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plug-heating/696577 "2014-08-26T17:59:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plug-heating/696577/1 "2014-08-26T17:59:57Z")
When I plug in my cell phone charger at work, it does not heat up. But when I charge my phone from the outlet in my home kitchen the plug gets pretty hot. Is this a sign of danger? What is the deal here? ---
**Author:** ![Pasta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@Pasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pasta)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plug-heating/696577/2 "2014-08-26T19:06:09Z")
If it were always getting very hot, it could be a sign of a [fault with the plug](http://www.apple.com/uk/support/usbadapter-european/). If it’s only getting warm, that is normal enough. If it’s only getting warm in one outlet and not another, I would put my money on either (1) the battery is more run down and/or the cell reception is very poor when you’re at home, causing the phone to draw more juice, or [in a distant second place] (2) the different environmental conditions are leading to noticeably different equilibrium temperatures. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plug-heating/696577/3 "2014-08-26T21:02:12Z")
Try another outlet at home. If the charger stays cool there, you have a problem with the outlet in the kitchen - probably worn out contacts or a loose wire. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2014, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plug-heating/696577/4 "2014-08-26T21:05:05Z")
do other plugs get warm in the same receptacle? do plugs fit loosely? then the receptacle much be getting worn out and needs to be replaced. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2014, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plug-heating/696577/5 "2014-08-27T01:56:26Z")
Are you using a charger plugged into a standard wall outlet in both cases? Or is one of them a USB charger attached to a computer? Is it the same charger in each case? USB chargers don’t provide as much current as wall chargers, and thus don’t generate as much waste heat. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2014, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plug-heating/696577/6 "2014-08-27T13:03:07Z")
The home outlet is a wall GFCI outlet. At work, I use a sort of Bus/powerstrip deal mounted under one of my counters. I used a different outlet to top off my charge. It didn’t get hot but It wasn’t charging for very long. It probably won’t be until the next weekend when I get to test it properly. I always charge up at work and so rarely need to do so at home. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2014, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plug-heating/696577/7 "2014-08-27T13:52:36Z")
Is it a matter of time? Does your home one get warm after 8-10 hours while the work one is never left connected for more than an hour or so? More efficient AC (as in HVAC) at work? ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2014, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plug-heating/696577/8 "2014-08-29T19:56:03Z")
Well, I plugged it into the living room plug for at least an hour. It got a little warm but not hot. So I guess I should just avoid the kitchen wall socket. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2014, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plug-heating/696577/9 "2014-08-30T03:28:24Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#): > > Well, I plugged it into the living room plug for at least an hour. It got a little warm but not hot. So I guess I should just avoid the kitchen wall socket. I’m not an electrician, but if I have two electrical outlets that reproducably behave that differently, I’d want to have the “bad” one checked out. Anyone have an opinion on that? ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2014, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plug-heating/696577/10 "2014-08-30T04:18:17Z")
> [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](#): > > I’m not an electrician, but if I have two electrical outlets that reproducably behave that differently, I’d want to have the “bad” one checked out. Anyone have an opinion on that? I am a stationary engineer and work with electricity and wiring. Yes do not use that outlet until it has been repaired and do it soon. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2014, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plug-heating/696577/11 "2014-08-30T05:18:57Z")
a receptacle that reslts in a hot plug is a problem. i’ve seen plugs melt or deteriorate from the heat and expose live wires. on the plug you should make sur the prongs are shiney and straight. if the receptacle holds the plug loosely or gets the plug hot then replace the receptacle. ---
**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:** [August 30, 2014, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plug-heating/696577/12 "2014-08-30T16:20:10Z")
A loose/bad connection can result in series arcing or a “glowing contact.” Either is dangerous. Cut power, remove the old receptacle, and install a new one. ---
**Author:** ![Hypno-Toad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b2d939/32.png) [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2014, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plug-heating/696577/13 "2014-09-02T13:06:13Z")
I’ll contact my landlord, then.