Choosing the correct fuse rating for various appliances

elsmandino

Hello,

I have a number of various appliances that use kettle leads and until now it never occurred to me to actually check the fuse rating for each one.

I have a big box of various cables and whenever I needed a kettle lead I would just plug one of them.

I checked all the kettle leads I have and there are 3 amp, 5 amp, 10 amp and 13 amp fuses in use.

I did a quick bit of research and (apparently), the general advice in the UK seems to be that 5 and 10 amp fuses are being phased out and that you should use 3 amp fuses for anything below 700W and 13 amp for 700W and above.

I also read that the kettle leads themselves are rated for a certain fuse amperage, so if you need a kettle lead for a kettle for example - not only do you need a 13 amp fuse but also a kettle lead that is rated to take 13 amps.

A bit confusing - could anybody offer any advice?

At the moment, I am using kettle leads in the following devices:

22" PC Monitor
40" LCD TV
2 x PCs - one with a 400W PSU and one with a 380W one.

Fightsback

Here you go, Isn't Google great

http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guides-and-advice/electrical-items/plugs/

bsod

the only thing you'll need a 13a fuse for is a kettle probably. As they tend to come with pre-wired bases/leads/plugs it shouldn't be an issue anymore.

the rest, a 3a will suffice, watts/volts = amps will give you an accurate answer

400/240 = 1.66 amps which is clearly won't melt a 3a fuse

macman

The PC's draw 1.6A and 1,58A respectively at full load, so they need a 3A fuse.
The monitor and TV will depend on the load, which will be shown on the rating plate of the device. Watts/Voltage=Amps.

alderpoint

Be aware that the "kettle" leads vary too.

Proper kettle leads which take up to 13A have notch in the kettle-end plug, below the earth pin. General appliance leads which are rated lower don't have this notch.

Appliances which require a 13A lead have a moudling which fits into the notch and stops you plugging in a non-notch (i.e. lower rate) lead.

esuhl

elsmandino wrote: »

A bit confusing - could anybody offer any advice?

It's actually very straightforward if you know the maximum power rating for the appliance.

I = P / V

Where I is the current in Amps, P is the power in Watts, and V the voltage (which is a nominal 230V in the UK).

So, a PC with a 400W PSU could draw a maximum current of 400W / 230V = 1.74A. So a 3A fuse would be appropriate.

Fightsback

esuhl wrote: »

It's actually very straightforward if you know the maximum power rating for the appliance.

I = P / V

Where I is the current in Amps, P is the power in Watts, and V the voltage (which is a nominal 230V in the UK).

So, a PC with a 400W PSU could draw a maximum current of 400W / 230V = 1.74A. So a 3A fuse would be appropriate.

Just use kitchen foil wrapped around the fuse.

NB Kids don't try this at home as it could result in death, serious injury or your house being burnt down.