Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[pauls]

I need a extension lead for a new tumble dryer, only need about 1 metre would a standard 13amp one do or will i need a heavy duty one.

Asking due to the fact i came home tonight to find the old extension socket end had melted itself to the dryer plug. I had to pry them apart with a screwdriver. Its been working fine for the last 3 years.
 Wife refuses to use the dryer again. Hense going to have to buy a new one.

[Doctor Gollum]

Ours used to do that. Uprated it to cooker wire and no further issues, although we no longer use the washer and dryer simultaneously...

[pauls]

I ve just cut the plug off the dryer and put a new one on. It still works so just need a new lead so i can put the dryer back in place

[dave the builder]

It;s down to a high resistance "hot spot" due to a poor connection in the plug or socket ,some cheap fuses also get hot for this reason .

buy a decent Branded (eg ,MK or Crabtree) plug and socket ,
 and ensure the wires are well terminated ,terminals are tight 

it's a very common problem

quite often see a wall socket with scorch marks round the positive hole

Avoid MK "essentials range" made in China and garbage 

[Entwood]

I need a extension lead for a new tumble dryer, only need about 1 metre would a standard 13amp one do or will i need a heavy duty one.

Asking due to the fact i came home tonight to find the old extension socket end had melted itself to the dryer plug. I had to pry them apart with a screwdriver. Its been working fine for the last 3 years.
 Wife refuses to use the dryer again. Hense going to have to buy a new one.

Nowt wrong with the drier ....  lots wrong with the plug/extension socket ....

[Viral_Jim]

A regular one should suffice if it's in good condition. I charge the milk float using a regular old Wickes extension cable (fused and with overload protection). That draws 2.5kw for 8-10 hours at a time without issue.

Nothing with a standard 3pin plug should be drawing more than 13a.

[cam.in.head]

as dave says above.  some cheap crappy extension leads have very poor contact to the plug when it goes in .good ones may well have a good guage sprung metal on either side of the pin ,cheap ones tent to just have a single bit of bent metal which eventually loses tension and contact.
didnt know that about MK dave ,thanks for that they used to be quality stuff.

[dave the builder]

MK logic plus second fix is still good quality  I've used MK for years ,I keep stock of Logic plus ,
Crabtree I order in for jobs to match what's fitted ,
pet hate of mine is miss-matched brands of second fix   

It's just the China made "essentials" range is substandard ,surprised it was not rejected by MK quality control 

John Ward Youtube compares MK

[Kevin Wood]

Also worth mentioning that extension leads with cable reels need to be fully extended in order to safely use the maximum current rating.

Best thing to do here is to get a quality lead that's rated at 13 A and preferably no longer than needed, or buy a decent quality plug and socket (as said, proper MK stuff  perhaps) and some 1.25 or 1.5 mm² flex and make a lead up yourself that's the right length.

[Lizzie Zoom]

I am surprised no one has mentioned it, but why not  instal a fixed spur; 2.5 cable to a wall mounted socket connected to the rear of the existing outlet.  But personally I would extend the ring mains to instal a full double socket.

Extensions, due to the high risk of fire or contact with water if laying on a kitchen floor especially, should always be avoided if possible.

Now I understand not everyone for sure possesses the essential skills and knowledge to do the correct installation to regs., so if you have not, engage an electrician to do a proper job

No more worries then about burning down the house!

[dave the builder]

No more worries then about burning down the house!

Depends on the make of the dryer     

as for altering the fixed wiring , to include a fused connection unit ,it depends on many location specific factors

plus ,this is OOF , it might be connected to an old wylex re-wirable fuse box from 50 years ago ,so bigger problems to be had 

[Lizzie Zoom]

No more worries then about burning down the house!

Depends on the make of the dryer     

as for altering the fixed wiring , to include a fused connection unit ,it depends on many location specific factors

plus ,this is OOF , it might be connected to an old wylex re-wirable fuse box from 50 years ago ,so bigger problems to be had 

Oh yes Dave, I have encountered a lot of prehistoric fuse boxes in my time, and I know some still exist!!

Tight buggers some people!!

Still, it used to be fun re-wiring the old fuses after searching for the card with it wrapped around it!  Too easy now,!

[Andy B]

....
Still, it used to be fun re-wiring the old fuses after searching for the card with it wrapped around it!   ....

.. in the dark! 

[Doctor Gollum]

No more worries then about burning down the house!

Depends on the make of the dryer     

as for altering the fixed wiring , to include a fused connection unit ,it depends on many location specific factors

plus ,this is OOF , it might be connected to an old wylex re-wirable fuse box from 50 years ago and mounted on an asbestos board ,so bigger problems to be had 

Fixed... 

[Lizzie Zoom]

....
Still, it used to be fun re-wiring the old fuses after searching for the card with it wrapped around it!   ....

.. in the dark! 

Yeah, but in those days under the stairs I could feel my way around a box with maybe just 4 fuses!!