Extension Cable Plug Melted

Madmumof4girls

Hi,

I am looking for some advise/reassurance?
A couple of months ago, our electrics tripped and we found the cause to be the plug of an extension cable which had melted (including pins), the extension cable was used for a tumble dryer and a chest freezer.
My husband bought a new extension cable and we used a different socket in the house - but the same thing happened again yesterday, although the plug and socket was 'only' scorched and the pins had not melted.
Is it because there is too many high powered appliances plugged into one extension cable?
I am asking as the tumble dryer is one of the 'faulty' hotpoint models, but we had engineers come out to 'repair' it some time ago.
I am worried it may be the tumble dryer but surely the problem would be with the plug on the tumble dryer - not the extension cable?
Or could it be a fault with the electrics?
Needless to say we are not using the tumble dryer or the chest freezer for a while until we get someone to come out and have a look - but as I know absolutely nothing about these things - I wondered if someone could point me in the right direction?
Many Thanks for your time

Browntoa

Are we talking poundland quality extension leads ?

I would have my doubts about using 2 heavy duty appliances on them

Look at changing single sockets to doubles etc rather than using leads

coffeehound

You need to check the current rating of extension cables, too — they aren't all 13 amps, some are only 10. But yes it's best to avoid extensions where you can.

Also are the house electrics very old? The spring contacts in wall sockets get slack and tarnished over the years which can lead to poor electrical contact and heat being generated.

Madmumof4girls

Hi Thank you

To be fair the first extension cable probably wasn't the best quality, we are going to move items around so they will have their own plug sockets in future.

The kitchen/utility had an update on the electrics about 5 years ago when the kitchen was installed.

DominicH

Tumble dryers can use 3kW, i.e. about 12 amps, and as coffeehound says, that is above the rating of some extension leads. So while a 13A fuse in the appliance's plug will not will blow, the wires in the extension will overheat.

Some cheap extension units aren't even good enough for the current rating that they claim. Best to plug high current devices like tumble dryers directly into a socket, and ideally don't have multiple high current devices near each other on the ring, assuming you have a ring circuit, which were dreamt up in the days before people had things like tumble dryers and dishwashers.

Basically, avoid cheap extension leads or ones rated at less than 13A.

EachPenny

DominicH wrote: »

Tumble dryers can use 3kW, i.e. about 12 amps, and as coffeehound says, that is above the rating of some extension leads. So while a 13A fuse in the appliance's plug will not will blow, the wires in the extension will overheat.

But if the extension lead (including cable) isn't a suitable specification for a total load of 13A then it shouldn't be supplied with a 13A fuse in the plug - the extension lead's fuse should be specified to protect the cable and other parts of the lead.

If anyone purchases a lead with a lower rated cable and a fitted 13A fuse they should contact their local trading standards department asap. Similarly, fitting a higher-rated replacement fuse to a low-rated lead is asking for trouble.

unforeseen

Itt sounds more like a problem with the plug/socket construction or the physical connections within them.

If the cable to socket, cable to pin or pin to socket connection is not a good mechanical and electrical connection then heat is generated causing parts to melt.

another_casualty

Great advice as above . My take is to ditch the extension leads .
You should check all of your wall sockets and connections while youre at it . Go to maplins or equivalent and buy new ones .
I would not use extensions for fridges or washing machines tho
Just directly into walls as mentioned .

A few years ago, my mum had great grandchildren running all over the shop. We found a plug melting in an extension lead also .
Also, one time when we had to get to the back of her sky box, it was impossible to fix without callling out the repairman ( thankfully a friendly neighbour ). This was because the wires were too short and stuck behind cabinets etc. It's always best to give electrics breathing space.

Niv

General advise is to not plug heaters into extension leads. I consider a tumble dryer a heater and therefore would not recommend plugging them into extension leads.

Risteard

Extension leads are for temporary use - they are never to be used permanently. Their use in this fashion indicates a lack of socket outlets.

Also, an extension lead should always be fully unwound. If it is not then it's current-carrying capacity is greatly reduced.

no1catman

Interesting read - but soon as I saw two big appliances on one extension lead I thought 'oh no'.

When our current fridge/freezer was delivered, the (Curry's) delivery guy said I can't install it there - you'll need an electrician. Problem - the cable from the machine was so short - socket is about 5' off the floor. Hence, have an extension lead bridging the gap.

Now (with the recent problems with Hotpoint thinking of changing) noticed that the new machine we're interested in - don't like connections to extension leads, but one of their approved retailers doesn't see a problem as it's just for single use.