If the socket throws sparks when you plug something in, the cover has melted, the insert is loose, or plugs keep slipping out, it’s time to replace it. Using a faulty socket can easily end in a short circuit or a fire. In older buildings on Praga, sockets often have no earth and the plastic bodies go brittle; in panel blocks on Bielany, aluminium wiring often has connections that have worked loose over the years. If a socket looks off or starts acting strangely, don’t put it off — call a professional.

How much does it cost and what affects the price

The price of replacement depends on the state of the back box and the wiring. If the box is in good shape and the cables are fine, it’s a fast swap of the mechanism. If the box is damaged, the wires are burnt or too short, there is more to do. Up-to-date prices for all electrical jobs are in the table below. The client provides the new socket; the service covers removing the old one and installing the new one.

How the replacement works

1. Isolating the supply: we turn off the circuit at the board and check with a voltage tester that the socket is no longer live.
2. Removing the old socket: we remove the cover and frame, unscrew the mechanism from the back box, and disconnect the wires.
3. Cable check: we look for melting, breaks, or oxidised contacts. If the wires are damaged, we cut back to a clean section.
4. Back-box check: if the existing box is cracked or unsuitable for the new mechanism, we replace it.
5. Wiring the new socket: we strip the wires to the right length, connect live, neutral, and earth to the terminals, and tighten every contact properly.
6. Fitting into the back box: we fix the mechanism in place, then fit the frame and cover.
7. Testing: we turn the circuit back on, check voltage with a multimeter, and test it under load.

Common mistakes

• Changing a socket without switching off the power — risk of electric shock.
• Skipping the cable check — installing a new socket onto burnt contacts, so the fault comes back.
• Leaving terminal screws untightened — the connection heats up and starts arcing after some time.
• Installing a socket without earth where earth is required (bathroom, kitchen).
• Using low-cost sockets with thin plastic — the body deforms quickly from heat.
• Connecting aluminium wire straight into a copper terminal — oxidation at the joint raises resistance and leads to overheating.

Warning: even replacing a socket is electrical work. Wrong connections can lead to a short circuit or fire. If you are not sure, call a professional.

What to prepare before the visit

• Buy the new socket — check whether you need an earthed one (for kitchens and bathrooms — mandatory).
• Make sure you know where the consumer unit is — the technician will need to isolate the circuit.
• Clear the area around the socket — move furniture out of the way.
• If the socket is sparking or giving off smoke, isolate the circuit before our visit and stop using it.
• If you want several sockets changed, tell us in advance — we can handle them all in one visit.
• If the building has aluminium wiring, mention it — special connectors will be needed.

A real case from Warsaw

We got a call to a flat on Praga Poludnie. A kitchen socket had begun smoking when the kettle was turned on. We isolated the circuit and took the socket out — the wires had melted and the back box was cracked from heat. The cause was a loose live terminal that had been heating up for years. We trimmed the wires back to sound sections, replaced the back box, and installed a new earthed socket with quality spring-cage terminals. We tested it under a 2 kW load — everything worked properly, with no overheating. While on site, we checked the nearby sockets — two of them also had loose contacts, and we tightened them. The whole job took around an hour (compatible with Legrand, Schneider Electric, ABB and similar).

Frequently asked questions

Book the replacement

We replace sockets all over Warsaw — single, double, earthed, and unearthed. We inspect the wiring, tighten connections, and change back boxes where needed. Get in touch — we can come out and replace them in one visit.