Question re leaving extension reel plugged in

whitesatin

I have just discovered two outdoor sockets in an outdoor cupboard (under the kitchen extension). There is little headroom so I crawled in and plugged in the extension lead reel my husband uses for the lawnmower. tI has an RCD adaptor that it says you should reset every time the mains is switched off. I tried out an appliance and it works. It would make life easier if we could just leave this permanently plugged in so that all he has to do is unravel the reel and plug in his lawnmower each time instead of crawling in to keep plugging and unplugging. When not in use, the reel would be wound up but have nothing plugged into it.


My question, really, is, is it safe to leave this extension reel and RCD adaptor plugged in? The cupboard is dry and the socket is off the ground though the reel would probably sit on the floor inside the cupboard (but could be raised if necessary).

Le_Kirk

It is safe to leave plugged in provided nothing is plugged in and switched at the socket end of the extension. Coiled extension leads with current running through them will act like heaters. Remember filaments on old style electric fires? Always unroll an extension fully when in use.

whitesatin

Thanks for your prompt reply, Le_Kirk. Nothing will be plugged into it except when it is fully unrolled. I know that but not sure my husband actually does as he looks like it is news to him as I am telling him. I've read out your post to him which gives a great explanation, thanks.

googler

Why not get an electrician to relocate the sockets to make them easier to reach, or fit an external socket?

whitesatin

googler wrote: »

Why not get an electrician to relocate the sockets to make them easier to reach, or fit an external socket?

That is certainly something to consider. We will be having some work done soon so should include that really. It was a crazy place to put external sockets, a three year old would just about be able to stand up in that cupboard. One of the many issues resulting from that extension (not done by us), the worst being how easy it has been for mice to get into the house and cause damage.


Thanks for your suggestion, googler.

restless6

I have had my extension reel plugged into an outdoor socket and the main part is stored in my garden shed. The socket is not switched so is permanently on.
Been like this 7yrs

cyclonebri1

Le_Kirk wrote: »

It is safe to leave plugged in provided nothing is plugged in and switched at the socket end of the extension. Coiled extension leads with current running through them will act like heaters. Remember filaments on old style electric fires? Always unroll an extension fully when in use.

Yes I was going to say thay myself. I used to run the electrical and mechanics for a large factory unit. Someone on the factory floor had taken out a 30 mtr extension cable, extended it by a few feet and used a powerful steam clear through it.
The entire reel was welded solid, the insulation had melted and formed a solid PVC mass with the conductor wires running through it:eek::eek:.
We sectioned it and hung it on the wall to remind everyone.

whitesatin

restless6 wrote: »

I have had my extension reel plugged into an outdoor socket and the main part is stored in my garden shed. The socket is not switched so is permanently on.
Been like this 7yrs

Thanks for that. As far as I can see, there is no on/off switch on the outdoor sockets so the extension lead (which has a RCD adaptor attached) would be ready for action as soon as something gets plugged into it. I know nothing about electricity so not sure if electricity would be going through it when not in use.

TheCyclingProgrammer

whitesatin wrote: »

Thanks for that. As far as I can see, there is no on/off switch on the outdoor sockets so the extension lead (which has a RCD adaptor attached) would be ready for action as soon as something gets plugged into it. I know nothing about electricity so not sure if electricity would be going through it when not in use.

It's ok, the electricity just stops at the socket and waits for you to plug something in before travelling down the reel to power your appliance.

I am of course being sarcastic, obviously with out a switch the reel would be live the moment it's plugged in.

whitesatin

TheCyclingProgrammer wrote: »

It's ok, the electricity just stops at the socket and waits for you to plug something in before travelling down the reel to power your appliance.

I am of course being sarcastic, obviously with out a switch the reel would be live the moment it's plugged in.

I'm glad you clarified that, lol, as I actually believed your first sentence. Now I feel like an idiot but, then again, why would I/should I know these things? I am just a user of electricity, not an electrician, that's why I was asking for advice.


I realise now that (whether or not I feel it should be necessary given that the work would, presumably, have been signed off by some authority or another at the time (maybe 6 years ago?), I need to get an electrician in.

keith969

TheCyclingProgrammer wrote: »

It's ok, the electricity just stops at the socket and waits for you to plug something in before travelling down the reel to power your appliance.

I once had a neighbour who would not leave a light without a bulb in it as they thought the electricity would leak out! :rotfl: