Would this be a fire risk?

[CountryFan]

I have visited a property today and noticed the boiler cable just coiled up, rather than shorten it. I thought along the lines of an extension cable not fully unwound, but have I overthought it? I have shortened it myself on today's visit, but just wondered for future reference.

Additional Info: fed from CU to fcu with mcb/RCD protection. Fuse rating 3A.

Thanks

 

[mikehammer69]

Probably nothing to worry about based on the limited info

 

[ericmark]

At the current a boiler uses, unlikely to be a problem.

 

[CountryFan]

Probably nothing to worry about based on the limited info

What else would you like to know in order for assistance? Thanks

 

[mikehammer69]

What else would you like to know in order for assistance? Thanks

Not much .As said currents are small .

 

[jj4091]

I remember that you are interested in electical theory. Read up about current transdformers and how a long extension reel might be a cause for concern. That will set your mind at rest.

 

[Ragnar_AT]

The heat generation is pretty much entirely resistive and the big problem with extension leads is lack of heat dissipation.

 

[JohnW2]

The heat generation is pretty much entirely resistive and the big problem with extension leads is lack of heat dissipation.

True- but, as has ben said, if it's just supplying a boiler then there is going to be very little heat to dissipate - and, in any event, all we're told is that 'the boiler cable is coiled up;, and I strongly suspect that that means an awful lot less 'coiling' than one gets in a 'drum' or 'cassette' type of extension reel!

 

[securespark]

Yes, there's not going to be metres and metres of flex and it won't be enclosed on a reel.

And even if it was, the amount of current drawn is not going to generate a excessive amount of heat. The heat that is, will dissipate easily, even if the flex is coiled.

 

[securespark]

My Father's second wife once plugged a fan heater into a coiled up extension lead.
It melted the flex together, but it was a 3kW heater on a 15m 5A lead. The lead was rated at 1200W fully unwound and 480w fully wound.

 

[CountryFan]

True- but, as has ben said, if it's just supplying a boiler then there is going to be very little heat to dissipate - and, in any event, all we're told is that 'the boiler cable is coiled up;, and I strongly suspect that that means an awful lot less 'coiling' than one gets in a 'drum' or 'cassette' type of extension reel!

Yes, apologies, I thought I wrote the length. Supplied pre-wired to boiler approx 1m of 0.75mm sq 3 core flex. "Coiled up" is approx 500mm.

 

[JohnW2]

Yes, apologies, I thought I wrote the length. Supplied pre-wired to boiler approx 1m of 0.75mm sq 3 core flex. "Coiled up" is approx 500mm.

That's what I suspected. In that case, as has been implied, you're worrying about nothing- 'many metres', coiled up inside an enclosure of some sort, might possibly be be a problem (but only with loads very much greater than your boiler), but 0.5m is, really, 'absolutely nothing'

 

[pete01]

You done the right thing in shortening it even if just so it looks better.