overloading plug sockets?

Solution (or maybe not :p) Diy 2nd plug set like mine :D

1st Plug already was cracked which was handy.
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However I don't have any cable clip things you nail to the wall to keep the cable secure. Yes thats 230v of mains right there :o Cable is fine though, never gets warm or anything and radiator is always off.
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Some dodgy 99p plug socket from Focus. Makes a funny sound when swithing it on/off.
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Cut the cable on another 99p cheapy extension lead down and glued it too the wall.
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This is why your not supposed to do DIY electrics :o
 
Then you may well have spured off of a spur. Not the best idea lol. Quality craftsman ship tho... Cable clips will cost you about £1 from B & Q or any hardware store.. get it clipped up :)
 
I have 2 plug sockets with 2 20 socket pdu's that i stole from working coming out of them. They are both half full and i've never had any problems. It's a bit silly have 40 plug sockets in one room though. But i never have to unplug something to hover my carpet.
 
ZG002 said:
Then you may well have spured off of a spur. Not the best idea lol. Quality craftsman ship tho... Cable clips will cost you about £1 from B & Q or any hardware store.. get it clipped up :)
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Yeah keep meaning to pop down focus, one of those things keep forgetting! Want to sort out this room good and propper, strip the wallpaper, replaster carpet and sort out electrics properly but don't have experiance to do it myself and certainly don't have money to pay someone else to do it!

What does "spured off a spur" mean? I'm faaaar from an electrion :o (saying that probably a bit daft of me to start modifing 230v sockets but never mind)
 
iBot said:
I have 2 plug sockets with 2 20 socket pdu's that i stole from working coming out of them. They are both half full and i've never had any problems. It's a bit silly have 40 plug sockets in one room though. But i never have to unplug something to hover my carpet.
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Did you have to cut the 16/32A plugs off and attach 13A plugs to do that, or did you just wire them straight into a ring? Former way is "fine" (but stupid), latter way is asking for trouble...
 
allllec said:
What does "spured off a spur" mean? I'm faaaar from an electrion :o (saying that probably a bit daft of me to start modifing 230v sockets but never mind)
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It depends if that socket you have come from is on a radial circuit or if someone has spured it off of a ring final circuit. Its just one of those things you aint ment to do. I wouldnt worry too much tbh. Just dont take any more sockets from it unless you get it looked at properly and know what you are doing :)
 
DRZ said:
Did you have to cut the 16/32A plugs off and attach 13A plugs to do that, or did you just wire them straight into a ring? Former way is "fine" (but stupid), latter way is asking for trouble...
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Uh...

There just 20 plug extension leads from a company called dataracks, they are like normal ones but with 20 plug sockets and in a metal enclosure. Ive had them for 5 years or so with no ill effects.

Although I once plugged in an coiled up extension lead and electric heater at my friends house (I didnt like him very much).

It's still stuck to his carpet. HAHA.
 
ZG002 said:
It depends if that socket you have come from is on a radial circuit or if someone has spured it off of a ring final circuit. Its just one of those things you aint ment to do. I wouldnt worry too much tbh. Just dont take any more sockets from it unless you get it looked at properly and know what you are doing :)
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Oh okay makes sense now! (so if im understanding correctly) Would the fact that (IIRC) it was just a single cable coming in and not going back out again suggest its a spur then?
 
Ah okay.

Ironicly was just in the "cupboard under the stairs" (aha such a british thing) and my god is the fusebox etc such a mess. Wiring in this house is SO old. You know we only got waterpipes/radiators etc grounded a few weeks ago when the people doing our bathroom nearly had a heart attack at seeing our fusebox/wiring up of the house!

Also our washing machine gets obscene amounts of static behind it (plastic front). Probably something to do with poor grounding? (again im not sparkie)
 
Yeah a lot of older homes have little or no bonding. (grounding)

Could well be.. may also help to check out the socket behind the washer. But id imagine its about time for a re-wire lol. Pain in the backside.. I am a spakie by the way :)
 
Was about to ask ;)

Just out of interest, Don't suppose you know - or anyone.

If I wanted to learn about electrics like this sort of thing what would be best place to start. some kind of city & guilds or what? Not looking to start a career in it or anything just yet but a simple part time course or something to get started?
 
Admin's bitch said:
As long as the cable of the extension lead is thick and well insulated and rated for 13A you should be ok. however check the power rating i.e. how many Watts the extension lead can take. Personally I'd suggest getting yourself a small UPS for your computer and distribute the load more evenly. Once the UPS is charged it'll draw a lot less.
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to add to this, if you DO get a UPS and have a power outage, make sure the UPS finishes charging before you turn anything else on, because it will eat anything it can while it's charging.

I have my speakers, VoIP phone, PDA, bobile phone, 2pcs, 2 24" monitors and a switch plugged into a double socket without any issues. As long as the cable can handle the 13 amps as said, and that ring main isn't already under strain you should be fine.
 
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The amount of domestic fires we now attend that are caused by overloaded sockets are on the increase.

"Tea lights" are fast becoming the new "Chip pans" as far as fire causes go, but overloaded electrical sockets as a cause of fire in the home are rising fast.

You can call your local fire station and ask for an HFRA ( Home Fire Risk Assesment ).

A local crew will visit your home and advise you on what you could be at risk of in your own home as far as fires go, and also give advice on all aspects of fire safety in the home.

Just pick up the phone, its free and if you are lacking in smoke detectors or Carbon Monoxide detectors, they are also given out andfitted free. :)
 
I have PC, TFT, CD Player|Mixer / floorstanders, Mixer, House Phone, modem, router, occasionally with laptop oil heater and phone charger. Things charging through USB as well.

Thats up to 10 plugs from a surge protected extension. All in about 1.5m/sq cupboard/room :p
 
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Draeger said:
You can call your local fire station and ask for an HFRA ( Home Fire Risk Assesment ).

A local crew will visit your home and advise you on what you could be at risk of in your own home as far as fires go, and also give advice on all aspects of fire safety in the home.

Just pick up the phone, its free and if you are lacking in smoke detectors or Carbon Monoxide detectors, they are also given out andfitted free. :)
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Recommend this. Already had one, but they stuck a second one up anyway. Really nice guys. :)
 
allllec said:
Was about to ask ;)

Just out of interest, Don't suppose you know - or anyone.

If I wanted to learn about electrics like this sort of thing what would be best place to start. some kind of city & guilds or what? Not looking to start a career in it or anything just yet but a simple part time course or something to get started?
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There will be a few little courses you could do id imagine.. if you are a complete beginner. Then id call your closest technical college and ask to speak to someone there :) They will b-able to point you in the right direction.
 
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