JP Coetzee
wibbled on Wednesday 03 February 2010 09:33

We have a new kiln rated at 3.6kW. It requires a single-phase supply.
3600/230=15.7A. It has 16A 2P+E plug on it like this one:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:16A-plug.jpg

In the shed I have a 30A ring with standard 13A dual-gang switched
sockets. Can I use one of these:
http://www.toolstation.com/images/li...bbig/47166.jpg ?

If not, what are those connectors for? And what is the best way to
power the kiln?

There is a consumer unit in the shed with space for another breaker.

Many thanks.

I wouldn't. Your kiln is presenting a *sustained* (I assume, during the
warmup phase) 3.6kW load which is going to cook a 13A plug/socket. Those
adaptors are OK for short high loads, eg 110V transformer supplying some
intermittent use kit.

If you have space in the CU, add a 16A commando socket on a radial to a
16A/20A breaker in the spare way. Job done, properly

--
Tim Watts

Managers, politicians and environmentalists: Nature's carbon buffer.