Length of Cable for Electric Wall Heater

Greenr

Hi
I have recently purchased a 2000w electric panel heater. Does anyone know if a longer cable can be fitted as the nearest plug socket is 15 feet away!!

I'm trying to find out what the max length of cable should be for this type of heater...

can anyone advise?

zax47

You'll be fine, but be sure only to use the same type of flex that is on the heater and use a proper connector to extend it (not "choc-blocks" and tape!) - I would suggest both should be rated for 13A, 10A at a minimum but 13A or more is better. Do not use a thinner flex than is on the heater, it must be able to carry the 2kW load. The potential voltage drop over an extra 15ft is not an issue.

Take a look at these items, as examples of the correct, suitable, bits to use;

3 core, 16A flex

Cable connector

The same sort of bits are available pretty much anywhere (B&Q, Screwfix, etc. etc.).

Lastly, from a safety point of view, do make sure that such a long cable doesn't become a trip hazard. The last thing you want is someone to trip over the cable, or pull the heater over or damage the cable! Why not get an electrician (like me!) in to fit a socket closer to where you need one??

Greenr

Hi, Thanks for the advice. Isn't putting a new powerpoint in a big job i.e. tracing the walls and replastering?

zax47

Greenr wrote: »

Hi, Thanks for the advice. Isn't putting a new powerpoint in a big job i.e. tracing the walls and replastering?

Depends on the ease of access to the ring main, or a nearby socket (on other side of wall, maybe?) to spur from. No need for it to be a messy job - perhaps you are thinking more of of a full rewiring job, now that can be messy!

I did one for a neighbour recently, he needed a socket in his hallway to run his new cordless phone from. He had a socket in the dining room on the other side of the hall wall. Drilled though from this, chased in a new back box, connected up - all done in less than an hour and little mess. I scribed round the backbox onto the hall wallpaper so no damage to that, the socket looks like it was always there.

If I have to start lifting boards to find the ring main then it can take longer but there's not usually any need to make long chases in walls to fit a socket. One thing though - a careful, tidy, low mess job always takes longer (and thus costs more!) than a quick messy one! Oh, and always fit a double socket - it's no more hassle when you're doing the job anyway. My "local, small job" rate is £30/hr, plus bits, if I don't have to travel more than 10 miles. (but for neighbours it's 4 beers and a barbie!- he still got his minor works cert though)

Inactive

Buy 20 foot of the correct size flex, remove the cover from the heater, remove the existing flex, replace with new one, cut to length, fit plug with correct size fuse. ( clip flex to skirting board if required)

Replace cover to heater, sorted.

madjay

The cable for this heater or any other electrical equipment should not be extented thats why they are fitted with a max 2mtr length. Have an additional power installed in the location where you want the heater.

Greenr

madjay wrote: »

The cable for this heater or any other electrical equipment should not be extented thats why they are fitted with a max 2mtr length. Have an additional power installed in the location where you want the heater.

Ok, I'm confused now... two people are saying you can extend the lead and one person is saying you cant... :rolleyes:

mikey72

madjay wrote: »

The cable for this heater or any other electrical equipment should not be extented thats why they are fitted with a max 2mtr length. Have an additional power installed in the location where you want the heater.

Why not? Why 2m?

zax47

madjay wrote: »

The cable for this heater or any other electrical equipment should not be extented thats why they are fitted with a max 2mtr length.

Oh really, and just how have you come to this conclusion pray tell?

Dare I say, as a long qualified electrician, it's cobblers!

However, I do think it would be better to have an additional socket installed - as I believe I said in my first reply, it would be much more useful.

zax47

Greenr wrote: »

Ok, I'm confused now... two people are saying you can extend the lead and one person is saying you cant... :rolleyes:

Of course you can - there is no physical, electrical or "legal" reason (unless madjay is going to enlighten us) that you can't, Take it from me, he's talking boll0x! It's not best solution, but there's nothing to stop you doing it provided you use the correct size and type of flex.

27col

I would suggest that if the nearest socket is 15ft away then your electrical installation is woefully lacking in the number of sockets. As a retired electrician my philosophy was always as follows. If you have a socket then you do not have to use it, but if you have not got a socket then you cannot use it. Hence, I always went for more than might initially be thought necessary. When this was explained to people and they thought a bit about it, they nearly always agreed with my philosophy. I can clearly remember people saying to me "just put a socket in the middle of the bedroom wall". When I asked them if they wanted to crawl under the bed to plug something in, they would say " Oh, I never thought of that" and then ask me to put sockets either side of the bed.
As all electricians will know the other special that we used to get was, "Can you do the rewire without disturbing my newly redecorated rooms". Forethought, what's that! I imagine that this still occurs regularly.