adapter plugs?

hotcookie101

Hi, was wondering if anyone can tell me if it is safe to use one of the old fashioned 3 sided plug adapters to plug in any 2 of the following three? Microwave, kettle and digital radio? Want to have them all in same corner of kitchen but only have a double socket there. (have loads of sockets elsewhere but not where I want them

Oblivion

hotcookie101 wrote: »

Hi, was wondering if anyone can tell me if it is safe to use one of the old fashioned 3 sided plug adapters to plug in any 2 of the following three? Microwave, kettle and digital radio? Want to have them all in same corner of kitchen but only have a double socket there. (have loads of sockets elsewhere but not where I want them

In an ideal world one should have sufficient wall outlets for the number of appliances in use, but I wonder how many of us can achieve that.

The use of a 3 way adapter plug will be quite safe. Just make sure you obtain a good quality one which has its own 13 amp fuse fitted. Ideally you should avoid using the kettle and the microwave at the same time as the plug might get a bit warm. The radio is no problem as it will be drawing very little current and can be left on all the time with either of the other two appliances.

Dave.

hotcookie101

Oblivion wrote: »

The use of a 3 way adapter plug will be quite safe. Just make sure you obtain a good quality one which has its own 13 amp fuse fitted.

Dave.

So does that mean I shouldn't use the one that I have in a cupboard that I reckon is older than me (3decades) ?! will buy new one

Oblivion

hotcookie101 wrote: »

So does that mean I shouldn't use the one that I have in a cupboard that I reckon is older than me (3decades) ?! will buy new one

I think that might be a wise move . Just make sure it is fitted with its own 13amp fuse; I imagine they have to be by law now, but who knows about some of these dodgy imports that creep into the country unnoticed.

BTW, I should have expanded a bit on why I said to avoid using the kettle and the microwave at the same time on the one outlet. The domestic wiring in a house is fused at 13 amps, although the wiring, if reasonably new, can carry much more than that.

You can buy 3 kilowatt kettles these days and doing the maths ... 3000 watts divided by 240 volts = 12.5 amps current draw. So you can see that if you had one of these high power kettles, it alone would be bringing you very close to the 13 amp fuse blowing point. Add a microwave of say 800 watts to that and the fuses are soon going to be popping.

Chances are you have a lower powered kettle, but I thought I had better play safe with my advice just in case.

Dave.

hollydays

I recently had a check of my house and a free fire alarm fitted by the Fire brigade.They were impressed I only had the extension lead type of plug.They seemed to be saying the other type were not safe.
I recently saw extension leads with about four socket spaces on them in the newspaper that you plug directly into the single socket-much tidier than having the leads trailing about.wil buy them next time

Premier_2

Be aware that a 800w microwave usually refers to the 'cooking' power. If you look at the manufacturers specifications or their plate on the back of the oven, you'll probably see it actually consumes a possible 1200W +

Even with a typical smaller 2200W kettle, you can't use both at the same time.

tobykim

Don't know if this is of any help to you but I recently got a pack of 2 Masterplug adapters in Netto for £3.99 it has 3 switches on each so you can turn each socket on separately, they have a socket on both sides and one on the top, they were £5.99 each elsewhere

hotcookie101

Thanks all, I got a new 3 socket adapter-have microwave and radio plugged in. To be honest I dont unplug microwave/kettle etc when not in use so its easier to just get the adapter.
I know what you mean about not enough plug sockets though-our living room has one double socket on one side of the room, and one on the other. We have a 10 socket trail lead from one and a 4 socket from the other side of the room, I generally am ok in the kitchen though, but not this time!
Rule to self, if ever building own house put 3 double sockets on each wall of every room
(not very money saving I know but I cant switch everything off from 10 socket trail in living room cos included media centre PC which is always on to record stuff etc, but if separate sockets then I could switch off tv printer amp OH gaming consoles etc)

hotcookie101

tobykim wrote: »

Don't know if this is of any help to you but I recently got a pack of 2 Masterplug adapters in Netto for £3.99 it has 3 switches on each so you can turn each socket on separately, they have a socket on both sides and one on the top, they were £5.99 each elsewhere

Thanks I saw ones like that in tesco that were 4.97 each (singly!) :eek:
unfortunately dont have a netto nearby so just got a bog standard one with no switches for 1.50

Gavioli_UK

Oblivion wrote: »

The radio is no problem as it will be drawing very little current and can be left on all the time with either of the other two appliances.

Most digital radios are on standby all the time and need to be switched off at the socket, and do draw a surprising amount of current compared with an anologue radio.

Oblivion

Gavioli_UK wrote: »

Oblivion wrote: »

The radio is no problem as it will be drawing very little current and can be left on all the time with either of the other two appliances.

Most digital radios are on standby all the time and need to be switched off at the socket, and do draw a surprising amount of current compared with an anologue radio.

Yes indeed, I don't advocate leaving any appliance on standby. I think you may have misinterpreted what I was saying. My point was that the radio could be used safely with either of the other two appliances. Obviously if the radio is not being listened to, it should be switched off, and preferably unplugged.

Dave.