extension lead

[pandaman]

I know this is going to sound like a silly question to you electrical experts. I have a single socket extension lead with 2 metres of cable, it is rated as 5 amps, if I wanted to plug in an appliance with a 13 amp rating why can't I just put a 13 amp fuse in the extension lead plug? What sort of risk would that cause?

 

[bernardgreen]

The more current flowing in the wire the hotter it gets.

Extreme case is the nice cherry red hot element in a toaster. or the wite hot wire in a lamp....

Some 5 amp cable might carry 13 amps with out getting too warm. Other 5amp cable may really be on the limit and get very hot at 13 amps.

But the big risk is the terminals and the connections in the socket. If they are overloaded then they can get very hot, hot enough to burn.

If you are always there to turn it off when it starts to burn then the risks are small. Leave it un-attended and the risks are very high.

That's the risk. Pop down to the shops and buy a good quality 13 amp extension lead. Or a fire extinguisher.

 

[chalkmycue]

Hello

The fuse is in place mainly to protect the cable from over heating, upgrading the fuse could cause the cable to overheat if the appliances draw to much current.

Unusual to find an extension with a 5 amp fuse though?

Be best to buy a extension rated with a 13amp fuse to be on the safe side.

 

[hobbsie]

weird iv never seen a 5amp extension lead before, before you put a 13amp fuse in check at the cable size on the extension lead first it may not be big enough to take 13amp max.

 

[Johnmelad502]

I know this is going to sound like a silly question to you electrical experts. I have a single socket extension lead with 2 metres of cable, it is rated as 5 amps, if I wanted to plug in an appliance with a 13 amp rating why can't I just put a 13 amp fuse in the extension lead plug? What sort of risk would that cause?

Homemade?

 

[timtheenchanter]

possibly not, I have a 5A extension reel, made by a known brand only rated at 5A unwound, gets used in the caravan as a lighing exetension for the awning, otherwise cant see the point.

I also have a 10A reel, 3A unwound

 

[empip]

...

I also have a 10A reel, 3A unwound

That must be a wind-up !

 

[timtheenchanter]

oops, 3A wound, thatll teach me to type after drinking....

 

[gman76]

I have a 5 amp JoJo extension reel, one of the sockets is very intermittent & the flex is very stiff at the plug end - I suspect a higher current appliance was responsible for this.

 

[Steve]

5 amp extension leads exist for one reason. Cheapskate homeowners.