Electrical Q: making extension lead from old cable?

waterwatereverywhere

Hi,

We've just bought a new vacuum cleaner which has a really annoyingly short cable and we've been having to use an extension cable we have but this is on a reel and too cumbersome to move around the house with.

We found some old lengths of cable and want to make an extension lead for the vacuum.

We have two long lengths, one is three core (live, neutral and earth) but the other length only has two core (there is no earth).

Would it be possible to join these two, using a junction box or similar and then put a plug one end and a socket the other into which we'd plug the hoover?

If it is dangerous to mix the two different cables are we okay to use one and presumably better to use the one with the earth?

Is there anything else we should be thinking/worrying about...

Many thx in advance!

mart.vader

From the sound of things, you are not at all used to working with electricity.

Do yourself a favour - don't try to join the cables together - go to a DIY shop and buy an appropriate length extension cable not on a reel.

SailorSam

When i'm throwing things away such as old vacuum cleaners which have a long lead on, i'll cut it off and make an extension but i don't use it for anything heavy, such as i fire and i don't think i'd use two extra leads. Whether it's the right thing to do or not, i've never had any trouble.

penrhyn

Since to appear to know little about this could I tactfully suggest buying a pre-made extension cable.

Inner_Zone

Don't do it. If the made up lead ends up getting used with a device which needs an earth which it will not have it could be very dangerous. Follow the advice above go to Argos, B&Q, your local supermarket etc. and get a ready made lead.

waterwatereverywhere

Thanks for the replies. I know how to wire a plug and have wired junction boxes etc., before. This lead will be purely for the vacuum cleaner as we use the reel for everything else e.g. DIY and lawnmowers/outside stuff.

If someone is just able to say whether it's okay to join the two different cables (one earth, one not earthed) I would greatly appreciate it as I don't know whether this is safe to do or not. Alternatively, whether the one without the earth (which is longer) would be okay to use on its own.

I know I can go out an buy a ready made one but we already have this cable and in the spirit of moneysaving, would like to use it if we can! Thx again.

Barneysmom

With respect to you OP if you don't know the answer to that question you shouldn't go near electrical work.

phill99

But there is money saving and then there is being stupid. I think you are erring towards the latter.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

no, I wouldn't join the 2 core with the 3 core, nor would I bother with an extension.

Get one of these,



and join a length of the proper 3 core cable to existing cable.

fluffpot

Your cleaner will almost certainly require an earth, so no you can't use the cable without one. The problem of joining them is that inevitably the cable will get tugged as you clean and you can't just rely on the screws in the connection to hold the two parts together. Some form of strain relief - eg cable clamp is required.

waterwatereverywhere

Many thanks Andrew-B for your detailed reply, that was just the level of understanding I was did not have and was hoping to gain. Now I understand what is appropriate I will definitely not use the non-earthed cable and will check the other cable to see whether it is appropriately rated or not (13 amp).

Agree with you re vacuum manufacturers - the cable is so short it can barely reach across one room properly - the last one we had would do the whole ground floor of the house!

Thx once again for the explanation.