Has anyone used electric heaters ?

tux900

wittynamegoeshere said:

tux900 said:

wittynamegoeshere said:

[...] a heater is inductive so has a very high inrush current.

An electric convector heater would be purely resistive. 

Apologies and thanks, you're correct.  I got misled by them being coiled, but of course they use resistance wire so the inductance is far less signficant than the resistance.

I still wouldn't plug one into a plug-in timer though.  I wouldn't want a freestanding heater to be on unattended and wouldn't trust the typical cost-reduced timer to be capable of withstanding this sort of current for a sustained time.

I had a rented flat once, when I tried to unplug the kettle it had welded itself into the socket.  This was a BS-marked socket and kettle, and was only ever on for as long as it took to make a single cup of tea.  High current can do a lot of damage and can easily make things catch fire.

No problem, and apologies from me too as the essence of your post was about being cautious with remote switching plugs and I do happen to agree.

jvjack

Probly i should be doing the apoligizing.
Seemed like easy fix.  Swiitch on free standing convector heater shortly before getting home.
Thought it through now and there are lots of reasons as to why not. They would maybe be rare events but.
Dont know if the remote wifi switching plugs are an issue and convector heaters are seemingly regarded as safe when problems arise.
But there is the unknown.
As it's all legal to do would like to see govt or some investigation etc as as to how safe or not it is.

wittynamegoeshere

In theory everything should be fine - the timer switch thing is rated at 13A, the heater is below 13A, but it just doesn't seem sensible to me.  I know that reality is often different to theory.

The fire service advise against even having a tumble dryer on unattended.  I'd have thought that a freestanding electric heater would be more of a risk.

It's probably just me that's over-cautious.  Loads of things are on while people are out - gas boilers for starters, they're all a potential bomb really but have lots of safety features.

jvjack

Not over cautious at all.
Just thinking if we all had these heaters going on when nobody there.
And the cat knocks it over.
Or a spider carries some paper into heated element.
The unknown

Cardew

wittynamegoeshere said:

In theory everything should be fine - the timer switch thing is rated at 13A, the heater is below 13A, but it just doesn't seem sensible to me.  I know that reality is often different to theory.

The fire service advise against even having a tumble dryer on unattended.  I'd have thought that a freestanding electric heater would be more of a risk.

It's probably just me that's over-cautious.  Loads of things are on while people are out - gas boilers for starters, they're all a potential bomb really but have lots of safety features.

There were problems with specific models of tumble dryers. My understanding is that the main reason for tumble dryer fires is not electrical but the contents catching fire - lint etc. If exaust air is blocked clothes can overheat.

https://uniquefireandsecurity.co.uk/5-common-causes-of-electrical-fires/

The above link gives the commonest reasons for electrical fires.

This point I found interesting and impractical in modern houses.

Extension Leads
Appliances should be plugged directly into outlet and not plugged into an extension lead for any length of time. Only use extension cords as a temporary measure. If you do not have the appropriate type of plug sockets for your appliances, get an electrician in to your home to install new ones – a much safer alternative.

I just checked behind my TV and there are six cables plugged into an extension lead for the various devices. All low wattage and I doubt if it ever takes more than a couple of amps - but! I expect similar in many homes.