Electrical advice please

System

How stupid am I? I have been considering shortening either an 8 or 10 mtr cable at the gang end, why?, when surely it would be more sensible to shorten the other end and replace the plug?

I can't believe how thick I am. Does anyone know if plugs are moulded to cables and were I to find the one I'd bought was moulded, would it be good practice/safe to try to shorten it?

Jamie_Carter

bod1467 wrote: »

Extending an extension is not usually a good idea ... but only because people might end up overloading the source socket (where the first extension is plugged in) by having too many devices connected. For your situation (where the devices connected are low power - the computer and/or monitor is likely the highest rated device) it's nothing to be worried about.

In this situation, extending the extension is no different fitting a 6-gang socket onto the existing extension.

It is ok to extend the extension as long as a basic rule is followed: What you need to remember is that the plug that plugs into the wall socket has a 13amp fuse. So as long as the total amps for any equipment plugged into the extensions doesn't exceed 13 amps, then there won't be a problem.

If in doubt check the fuses in all the plugs.

Another alternative is to move your phone. If you have multiple cordless phones, only the main base unit is plugged into the phone socket. So maybe you could get the BT engineer to install a phone socket near a phone in another room.

Naf

I'm terrible for using lots of devices and so not having enough available wall sockets. 'Daisy Chaining' is not a problem at all, so long as you consider the total Amperage, 13A (or wattage, 3kW) of the connected devices.
In the case of electronic equipment (i.e. computers, phones, chargers etc. as opposed to electrical - heaters, tools etc.) it takes quite a lot to reach a concern of overloading, and makes no difference if they're all connected at one end of the lead, or if they're plugged in at various locations along a daisy chain of extensions.
The cheapest solution is to get an additional 2/4/6 gang to plug into the existing extension that you're currently using.
Alternatively get one with more sockets and switch out the lead for the length you need.
The best solution, though, would be to get a socket (or a pair) professionally installed where you actually need them, then you can use shorter socket multipliers instead.

sillygoose

islandman wrote: »

How stupid am I? I have been considering shortening either an 8 or 10 mtr cable at the gang end, why?, when surely it would be more sensible to shorten the other end and replace the plug?

I can't believe how thick I am. Does anyone know if plugs are moulded to cables and were I to find the one I'd bought was moulded, would it be good practice/safe to try to shorten it?

If the extra length bothers you too much (you never know you might need the extra 2m one day), then yes of course you can chop off the plug (it will be moulded on) and fit a normal 13a plug to the cable, its a bit of a 'lost skill' these days but many people should be able to put a plug on a cable if you need help.

Here.. get one at the same time to match with the extension for all of 86p

http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-elec/9518-13a-black/uk-mains-plug-black-13a-fuse-fitted/dp/PL10201

isofa

Jamie_Carter wrote: »

It is ok to extend the extension as long as a basic rule is followed: What you need to remember is that the plug that plugs into the wall socket has a 13amp fuse. So as long as the total amps for any equipment plugged into the extensions doesn't exceed 13 amps, then there won't be a problem.

If in doubt check the fuses in all the plugs.

Another alternative is to move your phone. If you have multiple cordless phones, only the main base unit is plugged into the phone socket. So maybe you could get the BT engineer to install a phone socket near a phone in another room.

A bit like I said in my post #2...

Naf

sillygoose wrote: »

If the extra length bothers you too much (you never know you might need the extra 2m one day), then yes of course you can chop off the plug (it will be moulded on) and fit a normal 13a plug to the cable, its a bit of a 'lost skill' these days but many people should be able to put a plug on a cable if you need help.

Here.. get one at the same time to match with the extension for all of 86p

http://cpc.farnell.com/pro-elec/9518-13a-black/uk-mains-plug-black-13a-fuse-fitted/dp/PL10201

I used to have an irrational concern about removing/refitting plugs. Then I just got on, did it & realised just how simple it is.

yangptangkipperbang

securityguy wrote: »

Why? The plug that goes into the wall will be fused. If you put too much load onto the extension, the fuse will blow. There is no magical difference between (say) a 10-way extension lead, such as I have my computer stuff on, and a daisy-chain of 4-ways.

It'll be a 13A fuse, but as you're connecting low power computer equipment you could put a 5A or 10A fuse in there to be doubly sure. You could further down-rate the the fuses in the extension board itself, assuming it is fused.

There IS a BIG "magical difference" ! VERY poor and potentially dangerous advice !!

If you have a "daisy chain" of extensions it is very easy for the plug on one of these extension to work loose from the socket on another extension. If it works loose you will get a poor electrical contact and this will overheat.

If you wish to take the risk - carry on !

Fifer

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

There IS a BIG "magical difference" ! VERY poor and potentially dangerous advice !!

If you have a "daisy chain" of extensions it is very easy for the plug on one of these extension to work loose from the socket on another extension. If it works loose you will get a poor electrical contact and this will overheat.

If you wish to take the risk - carry on !

Whilst I accept that it's best practice to keep the number of interconnects to a minimum, I'm not convinced that the risk of a 13A plug becoming loose from a 13A socket in a run which is carefully placed and never disturbed is particularly high.

vaio

if you only need one extra socket how about......

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GOOD-QUALITY-FUSED-3-WAY-UK-PLUG-MAINS-ADAPTOR-HOUSE-PLUG-SOCKET-13-AMP-/350791601853?pt=UK_TravelTickets_Accessories_RL&hash=item51accf0ebd

Owain_Moneysaver

The problem with daisychaining leads is nothing to do with current capacity - as all the leads should be protected by the fuse in the first plug.

The problem is the electrical resistance of the long lead (and multiple contacts) affects the speed at which the circuit protective device (circuit breaker) can operate in the event of a fault. This can increase the risk of electric shock or fire.

The reason many appliances have tiddly short leads these days is to ensure the resistance is low enough the circuit protective device operates quickly enough.

Guidelines for in-service inspection and testing of extension leads are:

0.75mm2 cable size: up to 7.5 metres total length
1.25mm2 " " 12.5 metres "
2.5mm2 " " 25 metres " (you will not get 2.5mm flex into a 13A plug; that's for industrial 16A 'ceeform' connectors)