Extending a Cables Length

leeegglestone

I have just bought myself one of these -
http://www.movingpictureshop.com/index.asp?function=DISPLAYPRODUCT&productid=22
. I had a discussion with the guy about my concerns regarding how long the Cable would be as it has to be plugged into the Mains. They are Pictures for Walls etc so I assumed they would be a fairly decent size. He said it was over a Meter and said I could get an electrician to Extend the Cable. Anyway I didnt get the one I wanted but have the option to take the one back I am trying out for a Full Refund.

How easy is it to extend the Cable without removing the Cable from inside the Picture and refitting a entirely new one.

The Cable Runs from the Picture, it then has a Switch surrounding the Cable and then runs again before we get to the Plug. I wondered if you could remove the Plug and somehow add some more Cable and attach the Plug lol.

Can I do something myself?

Hope Ive made some sense

Wayne3765

Can you take the switch apart and change the plug side cable for a longer one from there ?

leeegglestone

I did actually open it up earlier just to check that. I found that one wire looped all around and wasnt broken up so it was still connected on the other side. the two other wires looked like they were soldered or connected to parts of the switch, maybe on and off.

I was gonna take a pic but the cameras batteries died, gonna charge em up.

Wayne3765

How about one of these ? cut it in after the switch if your unsure about the switch wiring.

baldelectrician

the safest route would be to use an extension, if it wasn't insightly.

you can get small flex connectors.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=13144&criteria=flex%20connector&doy=9m1

cheers

leeegglestone

Heres couple of pics I took this morning v quickly of the switch and cable

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/1726/01zy5.jpg

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/7955/02aj4.jpg


Is the Flex Connector & Cable Connector - links provided above, the same device?

If I had an existing not being used Power Cable, could I get my Dad to slice the end off and have one of these connectors Tie connect both cable ends up. or do they have to be specific amps or???

Think what you guys are suggesting is what was hoping would be the answer.

NastyMatt

how about you just get a new switch which does break the cable? That way you can have a new length with it looking like you have made any changes.

That or use the flex connector as suggested.

leeegglestone

Ive got an electrician from work coming 2morrow about putting some extra sockets in my House for a Freezer, I am gonna ask his advice

Mikeyorks

As post #5 - the safest thing for you to do is plug it into an extension lead. As one assumes you're only going to put this on after dark?

You could replace the switch with one that 'breaks' all the cables and has screw connectors. But it's unlikely you can use the plug again - as it should be moulded on - and with a 3 / 5 amp fuse?

And no - you can't just extend it with any old bit of 'power cable'. You need a 3 core cable that's a sympathetic rating to the existing cable.