Hi.

I've a need to run a 3KW boiler in my shed (possibly with a light as
well). I think 3kW is cutting it a bit close for a standard extension
lead. I'm also unable (rented house) to install a proper electical
connection to the shed.

I'll only need it for a few hours a month. I was wondering if I could
convert a 2 gang house socket to supply the ~14/15A needed and run this
to the shed (albeit temporarily) with IEC308 connectors - via an RCD of
course? I'm also not happy about taking it off a spur. I do have an
upstairs ring which is hardly used.

I'm also not going to take any suggestions of using two mains plugs to a
junction box.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

--
James

"JamesB" wrote in message ...
Hi.

I've a need to run a 3KW boiler in my shed (possibly with a light as
well). I think 3kW is cutting it a bit close for a standard extension
lead. I'm also unable (rented house) to install a proper electical
connection to the shed.

I'll only need it for a few hours a month. I was wondering if I could
convert a 2 gang house socket to supply the ~14/15A needed and run this to
the shed (albeit temporarily) with IEC308 connectors - via an RCD of
course? I'm also not happy about taking it off a spur. I do have an
upstairs ring which is hardly used.

I'm also not going to take any suggestions of using two mains plugs to a
junction box.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

--
James

3kw is approx 12.5 amps at 240 volts therefore a good quality extension lead
(that is one which will carry 13 amps load when fully unwound would be
adequate) If you want to give a bit of a load margin get a 16 amp caravan
lead from any caravan or camping shop and buy an adapter lead with a 13 amp
plug on one end and a 16 amp blue socket on the other and plug into a 13 amp
socket

here is an example

http://www.spares2you.co.uk/Caravan+...ADS+-+10M.html

How you terminate in the shed is another matter

If it was just the boiler I would connect a 16 amp plug to it

I have however connected a socket bar to a 16 amp cable and then used
correctly fused plugs for different appliances but I would not do this with
the boiler load being so high

As it is all temporary I would run a second standard lead for other use

Tony

TMC wrote:
I've a need to run a 3KW boiler in my shed (possibly with a light as
well). I think 3kW is cutting it a bit close for a standard extension
lead. I'm also unable (rented house) to install a proper electical
connection to the shed.
3kw is approx 12.5 amps at 240 volts therefore a good quality extension lead
(that is one which will carry 13 amps load when fully unwound would be
adequate) If you want to give a bit of a load margin get a 16 amp caravan
[cut..]

But we're on ~230V which is 13.05 amps.

If I'm trying to run a light as well, that's about another few mA.

I ask, because I know someone with the same boiler. Every month she's
got to replace the mains plugs because of heat damage to them - the
sockets occasionally need replacing too.

--
James

Have you got an unused 16A MCB in your consumer unit? Or a 16A radial
that isn't needed that you could disconnect e.g. immersion heater?

Then fit a commando socket to that dedicated radial.

(assuming you're disregarding part P, and your tenancy agreement)

In an earlier contribution to this discussion,
TMC wrote:

"JamesB" wrote in message
...
Hi.

I've a need to run a 3KW boiler in my shed (possibly with a light as
well). I think 3kW is cutting it a bit close for a standard extension
lead. I'm also unable (rented house) to install a proper electical
connection to the shed.

I'll only need it for a few hours a month. I was wondering if I could
convert a 2 gang house socket to supply the ~14/15A needed and run
this to the shed (albeit temporarily) with IEC308 connectors - via
an RCD of course? I'm also not happy about taking it off a spur. I
do have an upstairs ring which is hardly used.

I'm also not going to take any suggestions of using two mains plugs
to a junction box.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

--
James

3kw is approx 12.5 amps at 240 volts therefore a good quality
extension lead (that is one which will carry 13 amps load when fully
unwound would be adequate) If you want to give a bit of a load margin
get a 16 amp caravan lead from any caravan or camping shop and buy an
adapter lead with a 13 amp plug on one end and a 16 amp blue socket
on the other and plug into a 13 amp socket

here is an example

http://www.spares2you.co.uk/Caravan+...ADS+-+10M.html

How you terminate in the shed is another matter

If it was just the boiler I would connect a 16 amp plug to it

I have however connected a socket bar to a 16 amp cable and then used
correctly fused plugs for different appliances but I would not do
this with the boiler load being so high

As it is all temporary I would run a second standard lead for other
use
Tony

Something like
http://www.towsure.com/product/15300...ile_Mains_Unit or
http://www.towsure.com/product/533-A...Kit_-_3_Outlet would
almost do - except that they both have 10A circuit breakers.

I wonder whether either has an industry standard circuit breaker which could
be replaced by one with a higher current rating? The whole thing would still
be protected by the 13A fuse at the house end, of course.
--
Cheers,
Roger
______
Email address maintained for newsgroup use only, and not regularly
monitored.. Messages sent to it may not be read for several weeks.
PLEASE REPLY TO NEWSGROUP!

wrote:
Have you got an unused 16A MCB in your consumer unit? Or a 16A radial
that isn't needed that you could disconnect e.g. immersion heater?
Then fit a commando socket to that dedicated radial.

There is an 3kW immersion heater that isn't being used, however I'm not
entirely convinced that it's wired correctly - it doesn't look hefty
enough for it.

No unused circuits in the consumer unit unfortunately - I'm also not
allowed to play with that.

(assuming you're disregarding part P, and your tenancy agreement)

Landlord is fine with me changing sockets, etc as needed. I'm not going
to play with anything part P covers.

--
James

There is an 3kW immersion heater that isn't being used, however I'm not
entirely convinced that it's wired correctly - it doesn't look hefty
enough for it.

You mean the flex (from the switch to the cylinder) or the fixed
wiring from the CU?

If the fixed wiring is good, change to a commando socket here. If not,
unhooking it from the CU would be wise anyway - then fit the commando
socket there.

"JamesB" wrote in message ...
TMC wrote:
I've a need to run a 3KW boiler in my shed (possibly with a light as
well). I think 3kW is cutting it a bit close for a standard extension
lead. I'm also unable (rented house) to install a proper electical
connection to the shed.
3kw is approx 12.5 amps at 240 volts therefore a good quality extension
lead (that is one which will carry 13 amps load when fully unwound would
be adequate) If you want to give a bit of a load margin get a 16 amp
caravan
[cut..]

But we're on ~230V which is 13.05 amps.

If I'm trying to run a light as well, that's about another few mA.

I ask, because I know someone with the same boiler. Every month she's got
to replace the mains plugs because of heat damage to them - the sockets
occasionally need replacing too.

--
James

It appears then that you real problem is how to supply at the house end

I have had over the years many appliances that use 3kw (Kettles fat fryers
compressors twin tub washing machines electric fires etc)
With good quality plugs and sockets although they get a bit warm I have
never had to replace any

As others have said anything other than plugging in to an existing socket
will contravene your tenancy agreement

However if the boiler came fitted with a 13 amp plug it is rated to work
from a 13 amp socket and should cause no problems

Tony

wrote:
There is an 3kW immersion heater that isn't being used, however I'm not
entirely convinced that it's wired correctly - it doesn't look hefty
enough for it.
You mean the flex (from the switch to the cylinder) or the fixed
wiring from the CU?

Both. It's just standard round cable coming from somewhere in the loft,
via a switch to the cylinder. Not sure where it's wired into.

I think I'll try a normal 13A plug to a 16A commando for the time being.
If I have trouble with heat, etc I'll think again and maybe pay to get a
new circuit in the CU.

Thanks for the advice people.

--
James

JamesB wrote:
TMC wrote:
I've a need to run a 3KW boiler in my shed (possibly with a light as
well). I think 3kW is cutting it a bit close for a standard extension
lead. I'm also unable (rented house) to install a proper electical
connection to the shed.
3kw is approx 12.5 amps at 240 volts therefore a good quality
extension lead (that is one which will carry 13 amps load when fully
unwound would be adequate) If you want to give a bit of a load margin
get a 16 amp caravan
[cut..]

But we're on ~230V which is 13.05 amps.

You will probably find that the actual rating is 3kW at 240V, and so it
will only draw about 12A at 230V.

If I'm trying to run a light as well, that's about another few mA.

I ask, because I know someone with the same boiler. Every month she's
got to replace the mains plugs because of heat damage to them - the
sockets occasionally need replacing too.

A case of needing good quality accessories.

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

wrote:
Have you got an unused 16A MCB in your consumer unit? Or a 16A radial
that isn't needed that you could disconnect e.g. immersion heater?

Then fit a commando socket to that dedicated radial.

(assuming you're disregarding part P, and your tenancy agreement)

Remember part P encourages temporary lash ups in preference to safe
permanent wiring!

--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 30 Apr, 09:08, JamesB wrote:

I've a need to run a 3KW boiler in my shed

Lidl are currently selling extension cables, of excellent quality. Big
conductors, nice robust rubber insulation. 25m for 15 quid

A case of needing good quality accessories.

Yes, I've seen on test how MK hardware offers *consistently* very low
contact resistance, and others may or may not.

"JamesB" wrote in message ...
Hi.

I've a need to run a 3KW boiler in my shed (possibly with a light as
well). I think 3kW is cutting it a bit close for a standard extension
lead. I'm also unable (rented house) to install a proper electical
connection to the shed.

I'll only need it for a few hours a month. I was wondering if I could
convert a 2 gang house socket to supply the ~14/15A needed and run this
to the shed (albeit temporarily) with IEC308 connectors - via an RCD of
course? I'm also not happy about taking it off a spur. I do have an
upstairs ring which is hardly used.

I'm also not going to take any suggestions of using two mains plugs to a
junction box.

Any ideas?

Some 2.5 mm2 arctic flex should do fine.
Its no more than a kettle.
If you are still worried run another cheap one for the lights.

"John Rumm" wrote in message
news:XcadnZPG-MLV-4XVnZ2dnUVZ8t7inZ2d@plusnet...
wrote:
Have you got an unused 16A MCB in your consumer unit? Or a 16A radial
that isn't needed that you could disconnect e.g. immersion heater?

Then fit a commando socket to that dedicated radial.

(assuming you're disregarding part P, and your tenancy agreement)

Remember part P encourages temporary lash ups in preference to safe
permanent wiring!

My temporary lash up is in 2.5 mm T&E and would pass the regs if it wasn't a
temporary lash up.

In article ,
"dennis@home" writes:

Some 2.5 mm2 arctic flex should do fine.
Its no more than a kettle.
If you are still worried run another cheap one for the lights.

Guideline for 13A extension lead cable size...

Use 1.25mm^2 for up to 12m
Use 1.5mm^2 for up to 15m
Use 2.5mm^2 for up to 25m
[notice the pattern?]

(You probably won't fit 2.5mm^2 into a standard 13A plug.)

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]

what is MK hardware?

Milton Keynes?

--

[george]