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Subject Topic: Electric fire extension lead Post Reply Post New Topic
via mobile 02/12/2022 at 6:32pm
 Location: hartlepool
 Outfit: Sterling Excel 520
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Our heating isn’t working at the moment. We do have an electric fire in our living room but no socket to plug it into. Last time I tried using an extension lead the plug got really hot and the lead started to melt. Luckily i caught it before it burst into flames. Upon googling I have seen quite a few warnings that these fires should only be plugged directly into wall sockets as extension leads get overloaded from them. But as there’s no socket within reach does anyone know if I bought some sort of heavy duty extension lead would that be safe to use. We aren’t in a position to have the heating repaired for quite a while so that fire is really our only source of heat

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Good cakes aren't cheap. Cheap cakes aren't good


via mobile 02/12/2022 at 6:47pm
 Location: Shropshire
 Outfit: Bailey Phoenix GT 75
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You might be better with an electric fire with different heat settings then set it to,a lower setting such as 1 or 2 Kilowatt.
A 3Kw fire is pulling around 12Amps which is close to max for a 13A plug.if it's an old fire it may be best to change it.

Lidl had some ceramic fan heaters at reasonable cost. We have one we used to use in our caravan, they have different heat settings and are safe.

If you need to use an extension lead it should have the current rating marked on it. They must not be used coiled up as they will overheat.
Get one with highest rating.


Post last edited on 02/12/2022 19:05:03

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DS-There's more to life than football!!!


02/12/2022 at 7:33pm
 Location: West country
 Outfit: Mondeo
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I would say don't use 3kW on a 13Amp plug. They will overheat if used for long periods. Trouble is, the heat given off in the plug and cable is proportional to the square of the current so a small increase causes a large increase in heat.

Cheap plugs are the worst.


via mobile 02/12/2022 at 7:59pm
 Location: hartlepool
 Outfit: Sterling Excel 520
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Thanks guys. It’s a new fire and can be turned down. I had it on full just to try and warm the place up

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Good cakes aren't cheap. Cheap cakes aren't good


03/12/2022 at 1:39pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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One other solution would be to get a second heater such as a cheap convector heater if the first one needs to be on full to provide enough heat. You could then use the first one on a lower setting. I have one that I usually keep in the caravan but which we could bring indoors if our central heating packed up. I think our convector heater cost about £15.



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Best Regards,
Colin


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03/12/2022 at 3:58pm
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A 13 amp heavy duty extension lead with a single plug on each end will be fine, avoid the coiled extensions.


via mobile 03/12/2022 at 4:10pm
 Location: high wycombe Bucks
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Could you plug it into a socket in the livingroom, and put something else eg telly or similar on an extension lead..??


via mobile 03/12/2022 at 7:13pm
 Location: hartlepool
 Outfit: Sterling Excel 520
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Quote: Originally posted by ice-pop on 03/12/2022
Could you plug it into a socket in the livingroom, and put something else eg telly or similar on an extension lead..??



No. There are literally no sockets within reach

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Good cakes aren't cheap. Cheap cakes aren't good


03/12/2022 at 11:49pm
 Location: None Entered
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Would it not be worth getting an electrician to quote for installing an appropriate connection? It could save any concern you have.
Of course, I have no idea on the situation you have, but if you own the house it could prove a worthwhile investment.


via mobile 04/12/2022 at 2:18am
 Location: hartlepool
 Outfit: Sterling Excel 520
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Quote: Originally posted by Ancient Uncle on 03/12/2022
Would it not be worth getting an electrician to quote for installing an appropriate connection? It could save any concern you have.
Of course, I have no idea on the situation you have, but if you own the house it could prove a worthwhile investment.



Thanks but just not possible at present. Money is extremely tight hence why I can’t get the heating repaired

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Good cakes aren't cheap. Cheap cakes aren't good


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via mobile 04/12/2022 at 9:18am
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A lot of extension cables have cores of 1.5mm2 when they should be 2.5mm2


04/12/2022 at 9:37am
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!.5mm cable is OK for normal domestic use.
saxo1



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