TV socket blows fuse-why?

Ingwe · 2025-01-30T10:13:37+0000

The TV socket in our van is rated at 6amps. When using our Avtex tv, its plug works perfectly. When not using the tv would like to use the socket for a usb socket so I can charge my phone or ipad. There is no socket on this side of the van and it’s impractical to have leads criss-crossing the van.

However, when I plug my 2.4 amp 5v usb adaptor into the socket, the 10amp fuse in the distribution panel blows. I have tried other adaptors which sometimes work fine, other times as soon as they’re plugged in, the fuse blows.

Below is a photo of the socket and an example of the usb adaptors I’ve tried. This adaptor I bought only yesterday from a proper electronics shop (Worden) here in Portugal for €12 so it’s not a particularly cheapie version.

Why is this happening and is there anything I can try? Incidentally, the tv socket on the other side of the van accepts a double usb adaptor without issue.

Jabstatt · 2025-01-30T10:50:08+0000

Is the socket for a Hella plug?

It looks odd. I can only see one pole from the picture.

Is the TV on a standard plug?

Tony

pappajohn · 2025-01-30T11:04:15+0000

Something doesn't look right with that socket.
1...it's not deep enough
2...it doesn't appear to have a live terminal.
3...should have a 1" or longer metal sleeve for the earth contact blades to sit in.

I think it's broken inside or it's for a specialist plug.

1967bowesj · 2025-01-30T11:12:23+0000

Is there room to fit another socket away from that one?

Jabstatt · 2025-01-30T11:20:40+0000

Do you have another similar design socket to compare it with or can you go into an accessory shop and see if it’s wrong.

I can’t see how it would work witha cigar lighter plug.
Can you get hold of the silver bit and see if it’s wrong will pull out?
Is the tv plug damaged and part is in the socket?

Tony

Ingwe · 2025-01-30T11:34:47+0000

Jabstatt said:
Is the socket for a Hella plug?

It looks odd. I can only see one pole from the picture.

Is the TV on a standard plug?

Tony

Thanks for the reply. Not sure what a Hella plug is. This is the one fitted to the Avtex tv

Ingwe · 2025-01-30T11:38:36+0000

pappajohn said:
Something doesn't look right with that socket.
1...it's not deep enough
2...it doesn't appear to have a live terminal.
3...should have a 1" or longer metal sleeve for the earth contact blades to sit in.

I think it's broken inside or it's for a specialist plug.

It works perfectly fine with the TV (picture in my post at #6) and it sometimes works with a similar cigar lighter type usb adaptor. So I think you’re right that there may be something broken in the socket.

B+W vanman · 2025-01-30T11:41:48+0000

If you push your finger into the socket, does the central “cross-shaped” terminal sink down under spring loading?

Jabstatt · 2025-01-30T12:02:16+0000

Order a new socket and look. If it’s not broken, send the new one back!

Amazon is your friend

Tony

Jabstatt · 2025-01-30T12:06:05+0000

Can’t edit!
The Amazon one looks just like yours. The silver spider seems to be the positive. There must be a sleeve to make the negative
Has this moved?

Mystery

Tony

Lenny HB · 2025-01-30T12:07:53+0000

That socket looks very odd, looks like the centre live pin comes partly up the side and is shorting out on the earth pins on your adaptor.

FYI a 2.4 amp USB adaptor will draw less than 1 amp at 12v.

Ingwe · 2025-01-30T12:20:37+0000

Jabstatt said:
Do you have another similar design socket to compare it with

Here’s a photograph the socket on other side of the van that works fine.

Ingwe · 2025-01-30T12:27:14+0000

Lenny HB said:
FYI a 2.4 amp USB adaptor will draw less than 1 amp at 12v.

Yes, I aimed for a very low current adaptor for charging the ipad or phone on my side of the van while I sleep.

Jabstatt said:
Can’t edit!
The Amazon one looks just like yours. The silver spider seems to be the positive. There must be a sleeve to make the negative
Has this moved?

Mystery

Tony

Not that I can see.

Ingwe · 2025-01-30T12:28:32+0000

B+W vanman said:
If you push your finger into the socket, does the central “cross-shaped” terminal sink down under spring loading?

Will try this later as we’re about to go out.

Ingwe · 2025-01-30T12:32:11+0000

1967bowesj said:
Is there room to fit another socket away from that one?

Not really. Eventually I’d like to connect a usb socket to the power supply already in place, on the correct side of the van, to power a USB socket.

Bill-H · 2025-01-30T12:32:21+0000

The centre live in your socket looks like it come right up the inside , so if you push your plug in and the negative contacts on the side of the plug come into contact with the live in the socket - it will blow the fuse.
I don't think it's a Hella socket as Hella plug neutrals extend all the way round the plug and almost to the bottom - and that would caise a short.
That 12v socket looks very strange, or is it just a refelection inside the socket making it look like the center live comes up the side ?

Ingwe · 2025-01-30T12:33:23+0000

B+W vanman said:
If you push your finger into the socket, does the central “cross-shaped” terminal sink down under spring loading?

Tried this just now. No, the cross terminal doesn’t move.

Bill-H · 2025-01-30T12:49:00+0000

If this is the negative , is it pushing down onto the center positive when you insert some of your plugs - causing
them to touch and short out?

Ingwe · 2025-01-30T13:37:58+0000

Bill-H said:
If this is the negative , is it pushing down onto the center positive when you insert some of your plugs - causing
them to touch and short out?
View attachment 1006424

So far as I can see by shining a torch into the socket, the circled area in your photo seems to be an integral part of the vertical and horizontal contacts shown. In other words, the T shaped element seems to be one thing. Is this likely? I’ve put my finger in the socket and can’t feel any separation.

Here is a photo from the CBE catalogue of this type of this socket.

Ingwe · 2025-01-30T13:39:39+0000

Bill-H said:
The centre live in your socket looks like it come right up the inside , so if you push your plug in and the negative contacts on the side of the plug come into contact with the live in the socket - it will blow the fuse.
I don't think it's a Hella socket as Hella plug neutrals extend all the way round the plug and almost to the bottom - and that would caise a short.
That 12v socket looks very strange, or is it just a refelection inside the socket making it look like the center live comes up the side ?

No it’s not just a reflection. The centre live seems to come up the right hand side.

Bill-H · 2025-01-30T13:42:14+0000

Ingwe said:
So far as I can see by shining a torch into the socket, the circled area in your photo seems to be an integral part of the vertical and horizontal contacts shown. In other words, the T shaped element seems to be one thing. Is this likely? I’ve put my finger in the socket and can’t feel any separation.

Here is a photo from the CBE catalogue of this type of this socket.

pop a volt meter across all exposed metal in the socket to confirm perhaps?
Is the very centre small 'dot' at the bottom of the socket the live and all the rest of the 'T' negative? if so, it could be that the tip of your plugs are bigger that that small centre and are causing the shorting?

Ingwe · 2025-01-30T13:46:55+0000

Bill-H said:
pop a volt meter across all exposed metal in the socket to confirm perhaps?

Sorry if this is a stupid question but is this not risking blowing the fuse? I have a voltmeter and will set it to 20v range. Are you proposing that I touch the black to say, the centre of the T and the red to the right hand contact? To confirm it’s all one piece, wouldn’t testing for continuity give the answer?

Landy Andy · 2025-01-30T13:57:47+0000

I think it maybe that as you shove your usb plug into the hole you are not direct on the centre positive post and are touching the centre and the silver part that comes up sides, which is the negative. So a direct short.

Ingwe · 2025-01-30T14:07:55+0000

Landy Andy said:
I think it maybe that as you shove your usb plug into the hole you are not direct on the centre positive post and are touching the centre and the silver part that comes up sides, which is the negative. So a direct short.

This implies that the centre and the silver part that comes up the side are not joined. I think they may be. By feeling with my finger it feels like one part. Totally confused

Landy Andy · 2025-01-30T14:12:30+0000

Ingwe said:
This implies that the centre and the silver part that comes up the side are not joined. I think they may be. By feeling with my finger it feels like one part. Totally confused

I think the middle pin goes through the part that goes up the side, but will be insulated possible by a fibre washer. The outer part should be neg, and centre post positive.
The reason I think it blows is due to he outer neg part not being a complete tube, so allow your inserted part to not keep central.
A test meter poked in there will soon indicate what is live and what is negative.

Ingwe · 2025-01-30T16:31:36+0000

Landy Andy said:
I think the middle pin goes through the part that goes up the side, but will be insulated possible by a fibre washer. The outer part should be neg, and centre post positive.
The reason I think it blows is due to he outer neg part not being a complete tube, so allow your inserted part to not keep central.
A test meter poked in there will soon indicate what is live and what is negative.

To test this would you please tell me where exactly to place the probes? Thanks

pappajohn · 2025-01-30T16:43:09+0000

Does it have a metal sleeve at the outermost edges going an inch or maybe a bit more inside.
Ignore the shiney silver bits in the picture.
If it has a metal sleeve then that is the earth.

Affinite · 2025-01-30T16:47:16+0000

Why not swap the sockets. If the problem moves with the socket, replace it

Ingwe · 2025-01-30T17:30:29+0000

pappajohn said:
3...should have a 1" or longer metal sleeve for the earth contact blades to sit in.

It has this metal sleeve that starts about 5mm into the socket.

Ingwe · 2025-01-30T17:32:19+0000

Affinite said:
Why not swap the sockets. If the problem moves with the socket, replace it

If I don’t get it sorted I’ll do what you suggest but probably wait until we get home in March.

TV socket blows fuse-why?

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