In the last two years I have had to replace 2 VHS Players, 1 DVD Player and a TV. They were all plugged into the same power socket in my Living Room.

Could there be something about this socket which could cause this, or is this just coincidence?

Craig Heath, March 2004

could be anything from bad luck to drafty room. might have a loose conection inside the sockett my advice is to start useing a different sockett and if it still happens move house

andy, April 2005

Could be a power surge. Try getting a power bar with a surge protector for any "valuable" piece of electronics: TV, DVD, Computer etc.

If that helps you should probably get an electrician in to figure out why. Normal household wiring shouldn't normally surge enough to damage equipement (unless it's been hit by lightning or something equally sinister.)

You could also ask your neighbours to see if they have the same problems. Maybe the feed to the houses is "off".

Dave Montgomery, May 2004

You don't say how the equipment failed or if you have checked out the socket, there could be a poor/loose connection which is switching power on and off, rapid off/on switching could damage the equipment.

Mark Atherton, March 2004