Tumble Dryer Through Extension? Or Cut & Extend Wire?
Hello,
Ive read a few things about Tumble Dryers on extension cables then talking about dedicated shed power supplies.
So I do have dedicated shed power (i.e. a nice double socket wired professionally in the shed). But the cable on the tumble dryer is about a metre. Its tiny.
Can I run a short extension cable (set to the right power load) to the socket?
Or can I cut the wire of the tumble dryer and simply extend it with the right type of wire?
Ive read a few things about Tumble Dryers on extension cables then talking about dedicated shed power supplies.
So I do have dedicated shed power (i.e. a nice double socket wired professionally in the shed). But the cable on the tumble dryer is about a metre. Its tiny.
Can I run a short extension cable (set to the right power load) to the socket?
Or can I cut the wire of the tumble dryer and simply extend it with the right type of wire?
This. Don't both attempting to "set to the right power load" of a cable. Just use a 13amp extension with appropriate fuse.
Original Poster
What would this sort of cable be called to google/screwfix etc?
Cable connecter? Then check the details for the kite mark? Is there a particular 'load' I need to buy. Someone on an old thread mentioned to get 3 and not 2. But I have no clue what unit of measurement they are referring to in the 3.
Original Poster
Some forums with similar threads have stated the socket/plug get hot - and that this is dangerous due the power of the unit being extended.
A 13A extension cable is more than capable of safely powering a domestic drier that is shipped with a 13A plug and only involves one variable: 13A extension quality (where quality = rating & regualtory spec). But consider the option of cut-and-extend, there are four variables: the quality of the electro/mechanical inserted joint, the quality of the additional cable, the quality of the new plug, the skill of the person cutting / joining / wiring plug.
2mtr - £3.28
5mtr - £5.98
10mtr - £10.98 (@ Toolstation, see above link)
All rated at 13amps, which is what you require.
Original Poster
theiet.org/for…cfm?catid=205&threadid=7332
cableforum.co.uk/boa…php?t=33633897
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=3595135
Also, why does it have to be unwound fully? That seems strange. Can electricity not handle corners?
Do I need an "RCD Adapter"? Is that something that measure the heat of the plug or the power or something?
I need to be 100% super safe - as I wont live it down if I burn down the shed!
Original Poster
amazon.co.uk/Mas…AKY
Original Poster
The extension lead us just a standard roll one like you'd use for a lawn mower. This I paid about £5 in wilkinsons for it.
If extension is not unwound fully it will melt the cable
Long extension reels, like this ;
available from Toolstation £7.98 seen here
This, in simple terms, detects a fault, and switches the power off, ensure this is plugged into the supply socket, not the extension lead.
But, you have stated that the shed has been professionally wired, so 'should' have RCD protection anyway.
An unwound extension reel can create undesirable magnetic and heating effects. Your original post mentioned "short extension cable" which presumably would not involve a wound extension.
Original Poster
Ive put a lot of the scare mongering down to the fact they are super old posts and that modern day dryers with modern day wiring etc is a lot safer. A number of reviews for the heavy duty extensions have people stating they are using them with tumble dryers.
Sounds like im onto a winner.
Thanks all again.
If you look at any extension reel you will see they have two ampage and watt ratings on the label, one for wound, one for fully unwound.
You should only ever use a reel wound if the item is very low ampage and watts, and then only for very short periods. However ALWAYS best to unwind.
As a general guide, the unwound will take about 3x the amps/watts of a wound cable.
Another safety point .... these days extension reels and leads should be restricted to 25 metres maximum length.
Just check how many kilowatts your drier is rated at, and check that the lead you buy is also rated at least the same. Normally 13a.
Another point..... always remove the card diagram from any plugs. Obvious I know, but you would be amazed how many people leave them on.
Unless your shed is wired to a modern fuse board, I would also suggest the use of an rcd.
An extension cable needs to be unwound fully so the cable does not generate heat. You must always fully extend any extension cable when its plugged in.
Also condenser tumble dryers, the ones where you have to empty a container don't work too well in the cold. In fact neither dies the other type.
As you seem bit bewildered by all this, I would suggest contacting an Electrician and buying and installing a shed smoke alarm and fire extinguisher suitable for electrical fires.
Good luck.
The OP, in the opening post said 'Can I run a short extension cable (set to the right power load) to the socket?'
Speaking of thermal cut-outs, amps/watts/kw is just confusing the OP IMHO.
The OP has this (or similar) ;
plugged in to ;
plugged in to ;
ensuring each plug has a ;
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It's just bad practice not to calculate circuit load. OP should do the revelant training on electrics. This socket could a spur off a spur. Only with the right training will he know it's safe to do so.
I would just plug it and give it a test run and see if anything gets warm besides the dryer
Relevant training on electrics, really?, to use a socket in a shed which, as the OP states, was professionally installed?
Yes You should always go that extra mile
So you would suggest what?
Going to college to 'train on electrics' as opposed to asking on a public forum about an electrical question your not sure of..?
Yes, finish the course and then run another line closer to the tumble dryer. Check all wiring and bring it all to code
So you advise against asking a very simple electrical (sorry OP) question on an online forum, and instead advise the OP to take a college course, to enable them to have a better understanding of the task in hand?
Yes, OP will have a good understanding of electrics and electrical installation. What's not to love.
Strange that you would say the OP in this case 'should do the revelant training on electrics' and not ask on an online forum for advice, when all it involves is a short extension lead, no wiring required whatsoever?
And yet, in your own thread seen here, you are asking for advice on an electrical installation which involves installing an exterior light, which involves adding to an existing fixed wiring circuit, undoubtably more technical than the OP here is asking advice on...?
Yeah that got scrapped due to time constraints, it didn't even get past the theory part and still not checked if I could run a spur off that double socket Would of worked fine though with some chasing, running a steel channel, replastering and is probably something I will get round to when we come to extend the home.
So have you done this sort of job yourself and do you have any hints ?
Probably know as much as you then :P lol
Exactly - that's why I don't post nonsense. Every thread that you are involved in is devalued by your ridiculous comments.
The thread is daft on it's own.
1) The average tumble dryer uses 11amps so it's under 13amps so it won't blow the fuse but high current drain could cause the extension the to get warm depending on age/damage even if it's unwound.
2) The mains socket should be connected to a RCD if it's outside the home anyway so an additional one isn't needed. If the shed is connected to the main consumer box without a RCD then the consumer box needs updating as a short before a socketed RCD probably won't trip it.
3) OP could have the cable replaced by a service engineer to achieve the correct length for a small price.
I myself would replace the cable with a longer cable more suitable for a shed and not create protential problem later on.
P.S. I am certified to replace both the cable and wire a mains plug
As it involves an exterior light, and may fall under Part P, then I'd suggest you take advice from a fully qualified electrician
1/ the OP isn't looking for a long extension that would require being unwound, a short 2 or 5mtr single extension lead is all that is required.
2/ The shed was professionally wired according to the OP, so we can assume it was up to standard at time of installation, if this was before RCD protection was required then it is not a requirement to upgrade, a recommendation but not a requirement, thus the use of an RCD adaptor is advised, and perfectly safe.
3/ That small price could well be in the region of £100 - as opposed to a short extension lead and an RCD adaptor, materials requiring no wiring knowledge whatsoever, and be perfectly safe, done at the OP's convenience for around £10-15?
It's not a good idea to run high load white goods off a power extention lead in a humid environment. You wouldn't run a cooker, kettle, vacuum cleaner off one. It's in a shed where it's not monitored and could be a fire hazard. OP is better off moving the socket or lengthing the cable.
I wouldn't feel comforable running an external cable without an RCD on the consumer box but that's up to the individual.
'It's not a good idea to run high load white goods off a power extention lead' - agree in principle, but there are safety precautions which the user can install to eradicate potential problems.
'humid environment' - a factor I've neglected, OP please ensure tumble dryer is adequately vented from the shed.
'You wouldn't run a cooker, kettle, vacuum cleaner off one' - Disagree, (the cooker aside, which is a ludicrous point really IMHO) as stated above there are precautions which can be put in place to make the use of an extension lead perfectly safe, whilst it wouldn't be advisable to supply a kettle on an extension lead, it 'could' be safe, same for the vacuum cleaner, I've yet to see anyone vacuum a vehicle without using an extension lead..
'not monitored ' - Again I've neglected this area - OP pleas ensure the appliance is monitored whilst in use.
'and could be a fire hazard' - Agree, it 'could' be, but the use of an RCD would lower the risk.
'OP is better off moving the socket' - Agree, it is an option, spur off the socket, IF its been wired as a ring main, or if its a radial circuit, the supply cable can cope with the extra socket...
'or lengthing the cable' - Again, yes thats an option, BUT a costly one, I'd guess £100 for a service engineer to install a longer cable on the appliance, but you seem against long extensions and yet it would be okay to lengthen the cable..
'I wouldn't feel comforable running an external cable without an RCD on the consumer box but that's up to the individual.' - Thats your choice, the OP's shed was wired professionally, we can assume it was to the relevant standard at that time, we are unsure if that included provision of RCD protection, so the recommendation of an RCD adaptor has been made.