extension cable for dehumidifier

mfsb

I have a domestic dehumidifier and run on extension cable for last 18 months why do they advise do not use an extension cable ?

this morning we find underside of the extension plug socket a brown burn occured but the mains cable is far too short any ideas suggestions thank you

Ebe_Scrooge

The only thing you have to be careful about is to make sure that the extension is capable of taking the current that the appliance draws. I'm not familiar with dehumidifiers particularly, but I suspect that it's drawing a larger current than the extension is designed to take. If this is the case then it's very definitely dangerous, and can lead to overheating ( which I suspect is what has happened ) and potentially a fire. You will need check the current that your appliance requires ( should be in the technical specs in the handbook ), and hunt around for an extension that will cope with that amount ( or ideally, find one that is rated higher than what is actually required). Also, never use an extension cable that is wound onto a reel or coiled up - always uncoil it fully whenever you use it, again to prevent overheating.

It's also a very good idea to use an RCD circuit breaker on things like this, as it gives you another layer of protection.

sparky883

You have just answered your own question!!

alanobrien

The dehumidifier should have a plate on it which tells you what its WATTAGE is. You need to make sure any extesion cable you use can cope with the machines AMPS.

The calculation is AMPS = Watts/Volts

So for instance if your dehumidifier was 2kw = 2000 watts then ;
Watts/Volts = 2000/240 = 8.33 Amps.

So in the above example if you were to make sure your extension cable can cope with more than 8.33 Amps and you would be fine.

Sounds like your existing cable is incorrectly rated, I hope that helps.