plug fuse holder melted

[opps]

Hi all.

A friend has a portable oil filled radiator. The other day it removable fuse holder on the moulded plug melted. It left a slight char mark on the two gang socket.

He asked me if I could fit a new plug but I told him that I wanted to get feedback from you guys first.

He can't recall how long the radiator had been running for.

I appreciate that a 13 amp fuse will allow a peak of about 20 amps. I have seen that kind of thing happen with extension leads that have been overloaded. Should I be working on the assumption that the rad is faulty, hence drawing too much current, or should it be sufficient to simply replace the plug.

 

[winston1]

Probably poor contacts on the fuseholder or even a poor internal connection on the moulded plug. Just replace it with a good quality plug.

 

[opps]

Thanks winston1, much appreciated.

 

[bernardgreen]

It left a slight char mark on the two gang socket.

This could indicate that heat from the overheating fuse ( holder ) has penetrated along the pin and into the socket. This can result in softening of the spring contacts in the socket leading to a poor contact and more heating. It may be sensible to replace the socket.

Suggest to your friend that if the socket is not changed then he keeps an eye on the socket for further heating / discolouration