Electrical Q: making extension lead from old cable?

Owain_Moneysaver

By the time you have bought a plug, socket, and coupler, you'll have spent more than you would on an extension lead.

Owain_Moneysaver

andrew-b wrote: »

But why can't vacuum cleaner manufacturer's provide longer cable in the first place?!

Costs more. If you're making a million cleaners then a penny a cleaner is serious money.

Also the longer the lead, the thicker wire it has to be. Cost again.

moonrakerz

waterwatereverywhere wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. I know how to wire a plug and have wired junction boxes etc., before.

A little knowledge is a VERY dangerous thing !

Do you honestly expect someone to tell you that this is safe ? If they do - they are aiding an abetting a very silly/dangerous evolution.
You say two bits of cable - what is the rating of this cable, for a start ? Your Vac could be about 1500 Watts drawing 6 Amps; you say one piece of you "cable" is 2 core - that could well be old cable for a table lamp, or similar, rated at 2 or 3 amps and will over heat and possibly catch fire.

Use your common sense - listen to those who are saying NO !

macman

If you don't know the difference between cable and flex, that's another reason why you should not be doing this.

fred7777

waterwatereverywhere wrote: »

If someone is just able to say whether it's okay to join the two different cables (one earth, one not earthed)

If the vacuum cleaner has an earth (and it almost certainly does) then it's not OK.
Even it the vacuum only has two cores I would never make an extension cable using two core in case I forgot it was only two core and used it on a device which required an earth in future :eek:.

waterwatereverywhere wrote: »

Alternatively, whether the one without the earth (which is longer) would be okay to use on its own.

See the answer above.

waterwatereverywhere wrote: »

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.

Because more people want ready made ones than the parts to make them, if you shop around you can find a ready made one for less than the cost of the parts to make one.

keystone

waterwatereverywhere wrote: »

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.

OK then - definitively - no it isn't OK.

Alternatively, whether the one without the earth (which is longer) would be okay to use on its own.

Absolutely not.

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!

Presumably you'll be able to put the money you've saved towards funeral costs then.

Cheers

27col

Which part of "don't do it" did you not understand?

optimus_primera

If you really want a longer lead, then take it to someone who can completely re-cable the vac for you.
They will use an appropriate rated length of cable, and electrically test it for you.

Otherwise buy a good extention lead...

madjay

First of all if have to asked that question then I would say people who do not fully understand electrics should not play about with it.
It seem that waterwatereverywhere only has one socket outlet in their house. Leads on vacuum cleaners are short to limitate trip hazards and make you plug electrical equipment locally to where you are and not half way across the house Limitate.

so DO NOT DO IT!!!