Good morning peoples, friends romans & citizens.....
Just to add one more point of caution to this thread..
When plugging in higher power rating appliances... e.g. 2.5kW .. 3.0kW using a standard 13a plug top.
Even if all of the fuse ratings, volt drop, current capacities are all spot on with the correct cable terminated securely throughout...
There can be overheating problems when using an old socket outlet / plug top. and/or extension lead
Typical real world scenario....
After doing a bit of redecorating in the house new socket tops fitted.
Joe public thinks I will put one of the left over second hand sockets in my garage/shed..
Extension lead may have been kept hanging up in the garage...
The garage/shed is susceptible to more damp and dust than in the house..
All of the electrical contacts on plug pins and internal bits of the socket can get a little bit more oxidisation &
general grime on them than in a house environment... 'external influences ?'..
Also socket used less frequently so cleaning action on contacts from plugging items in and out is less than in other areas of the property.
So when using a higher power appliance, overheating can occur at the plug top to socket outlet joint,
due to poor electrical connection with older dirty contacts!.
A second hand socket in a garage.. on a ring main..
working a second-hand tumble drier..
looked like this from the front
But opened up
Close up
back of socket
It can be seen that the live pin-to socket joint, has at some point got 'very hot!':O:O
melted the insulated part of the live pin on plug,
AND melted the socket outlet...!!! :_| Not good!!! :|
this was just purely a 'bad joint' problem...
no circuit overload..
within 15m of the CU..
ring main..
moulded plug top...
Additional note re: Extension Leads:....
These sort of appliance can be used through a correctly rated fully unwound extension lead. (correct size flex, e.g. 16a rated flex.)
Often the guidance not to use an extension lead is because many people have a nice long drum type lead from the local DIY store...
which would need to be fully unwound to prevent overheating of the lead with a 2.8+kW load.
(and most people only unwind partially to the length needed).