Not enough electric sockets, but is an extension lead safe?

happy2bhere

I've got a washing machine and seperate tumble dryer housed in an outbuilding that also contains the boiler, however I only have one socket (heavy duty with power cut out thingy). Would a heavy duty extention lead be safe to use? As its a rented property, having another socket permenatly put in isn't an option and I don't have anywhere else to put the washing machine and tumble option.

Rodney_Trotter

Can you not convert the single to a double?

happy2bhere

I'd still have to use an extension lead, as the boiler requires a socket as well.

Rodney_Trotter

happy2bhere wrote: »

I'd still have to use an extension lead, as the boiler requires a socket as well.

Shouldn't the boiler be hardwired rather than plugged in?

Owain_Moneysaver

You can use a 2- way extension lead for the boiler and either the washing machine or tumble dryer.

This assumes by boiler you mean a gas or oil boiler which only needs electricity for its controls, and not an immersion heater.

You should not run a WM and TD together on an extension lead or from a double socket as it will be overloaded.

davethetaller

If it was me, ( and I am not an electrician ), i would put the washer on for its full cycle, perhaps a couple of hours, followed by the tumble dryer for up to a couple of hours. Rather than running them both at the same time,which could have a load on the system of 6kw.,you would only load the system to 3kw. which it can easily handle. Hope that helps.

andydiysaver

depends on the amperage of the supporting circuit. if there's enough amps there providing the outdoor line is thick/rugged enough there will be no problem running both. you'll quickly find out if I'm wrong if you have a 13 amp fuse in the extension- but that'll be all that happens, the fuse will go and tell you that you need to run two lines


very much doubt it though, I had a 40amp electric shower in old place over one line through a window - cowboy I know , but what can you do, the place was rental

Slowly_does_it..

If you do use an extension lead, just a reminder to unwind it completely!

ian103

Toolstation (available in other sheds) do a socket converter - single to double, treble or quad. Its a fairly neat solution but I'd be warey of overloading the system.

happy2bhere

Thanks for the replies and help

sk240

A washing machine and tumble dryer can not be plugged into one socket (via a multi extension lead) as their combined power usage is more than a single socket can supply (if ther were to heat at the same time).
You may be able to swap the single socket to a double depending on what wiring is feeding it, if its on a ring theres no problem, equily if it is on a spur using 2.5mm2 cable then that is fine too.
Dont use a single to multi converter as sugested above, as stated you will overload the single socket.