Urgent electrical question

Ebe_Scrooge

trailingspouse wrote: »

Trouble is, the leads that come with the machines aren't long enough to reach the existing sockets - hence why we had an extension lead in the first place.

This is going to need some thinking about.

If the existing sockets are on a standard ring main, then it's a simple job to spur another couple of sockets off them, in a position of your choosing. This is a simple DIY job if you're familiar with basic electrical work, or if you're not confident it'll be a very simple job for an electrician.

Mr.Generous

Best bet is to get a dedicated socket with remote switching above the worktop and installed as part of the ringmain.



If this is too difficult or expensive get 2 seperate 13a single socket extension leads and plug them into 2 different sockets. This will be safe, extension leads dissapate heat well if unwound / uncovered. Seperate sockets required for the load you are drawing.


Don't try and run just under the max load on a double extension as a routine. It's not a case of not running 2 x 3kw appliances, 2 x 2kw would do the trick, they consume about 16a and your max is 13. Also with overloads an RCD or breaker could trip. If you were out and your fridge freezer went off for example. The fire risk is the ultimate pitfall. No need to explain that hopefully. You've been lucky so far - I really wouldn't go back to what you did previously.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Risteard wrote: »

You must not run two heavy load appliances off a double socket-outlet. They're not designed for that and are only rated at 20A total - tested with a moderate overload of 14A on one outlet and 6A on the other for one hour as specified by BS1363.

Thank you for confirming, so can you simultaneously run the tumble dryer off 1 plug socket and the washing machine off a different plug socket but on the same ring circuit?

Aylesbury_Duck

Mr.Generous wrote: »

Best bet is to get a dedicated socket with remote switching above the worktop and installed as part of the ringmain.

If this is too difficult or expensive get 2 seperate 13a single socket extension leads and plug them into 2 different sockets. This will be safe, extension leads dissapate heat well if unwound / uncovered.

FreeBear suggested that was not a good idea:

No. No. NO. Do not ever run a washing machine or a tumble dryer off an extension lead. It is dangerous, against the advice & guidance contained in most (all?) user manuals for these products. In addition, when a fire starts, your household insurance will not cover you.

trailingspouse

When I said 'this needs some thinking about', I meant how to make sure I only run one or the other until I can get a sparks in to fix the problem. Not ideal, I realise - but I've been running both from an extension for 6 years, and I've got washing that needs to be done.



At the moment the tumble dryer is pulled closer to the socket, so that's plugged in directly. I'm not strong enough to pull the washing machine out (and there would be no point because of access to drainage), so that's plugged in to another extension lead (fully unwound, of course).



Next job - ring the sparks.


Thanks all.

trailingspouse

Update.



Electrician is coming out next week. I spoke to his wife, and explained the problem, and she made a strange squeaking noise...

Aylesbury_Duck

trailingspouse wrote: »

Update.



Electrician is coming out next week. I spoke to his wife, and explained the problem, and she made a strange squeaking noise...

:rotfl:

Must be the electrical equivalent of the mechanic's teeth suck.

Risteard

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head wrote: »

Thank you for confirming, so can you simultaneously run the tumble dryer off 1 plug socket and the washing machine off a different plug socket but on the same ring circuit?

I would always recommend dedicated radial circuits for higher load appliances. You could run them from a ring final circuit but whether it's advisable to run both simultaneously is another matter. You are probably loading the circuit at around 20A at times with that setup.

As I say, dedicated radial circuits are the best solution.

G_M

Belenus

^^^^^^

You could add a toaster and a kettle to the two spare sockets there. :eek: