never run two elements off a socket

[prodigal2]

I'll second that. You could always go 3phase though

Frothy

Now that would be a totally different can of worms Frothy.

[prolix]

Thanks guys for the advice I was stupidly runing off of one socket using a two socket extention lead.

I will use my 16amp power unit next time it has a variac so can play at adjusting voltages aswell as a wall socket, cannot believe I plugged a 2.2 kw and a 2.4 kw element into the same socket, but very surprised the 10amp fuse didn't go.

tried to take pictures of the melted bits of socket but my camera only focus' at 1.2m so they looked like specks, but the thermo setting plastic has heat cracks and the thermo plastic switch pin melted which caused the circuit to break thankfully

[sparky Paul]

cannot believe I plugged a 2.2 kw and a 2.4 kw element into the same socket, but very surprised the 10amp fuse didn't go.

It'll take a lot more that that to blow a 10A fuse quickly - you need a massive fault current to blow any fuse instantly. Even running at twice the rated current, it may take many hours to blow the fuse.

Fuse and breaker manufacturers provide charts known as 'time-current curves' which help determine the time taken to blow at a given current - the higher the fault current, the less time it will take to blow or trip. Operating within the curve also allows for intermittant spikes in demand, such as motor starting.

The rated current is the current that the fuse will pass continuously without any deterioration.

[Scooby]

I've been following this thread with interest as I use 2750w and 2200w elements in my boiler.

To all you guys using 3kW boilers I would heartly suggest using 16A plugs and sockets.

Are you saying that with safety in mind that when using two elements you should replace a double socket in the kitchen with two of these?


http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro ... 9&id=16192

Can't you just plug into two seperate sockets because I wouldn't want two of those in the kitchen and I know someone else who wouldn't either.

[sparky Paul]

I wouldn't want two of those in the kitchen and I know someone else who wouldn't either.

Your two elements should be perfectly okay on 13A outlets, provided you use two separate outlets - i.e. not both sides of a double socket outlet.

It would even be acceptable to use two 3kW elements like this, but I wouldn't recommend it for any prolonged period, nor leave them unattended. Problems tend to surface when using big loads on old tired sockets - the sprung contacts in the sockets become weak with age, and this can happen quite quickly with the cheap sockets.

The blue sockets are okay in an outhouse or shed, but I know some else who wouldn't have them in the house...

[PieOPah]

All this talk of electrics really scares me. I think I'll stick to my single element in a single socket...

[sparky Paul]

That tickled me

Glad to be of some use!

[prodigal2]

Scooby, I understand your position. I wouldnt want them in my kitchen, and the boss would not even entertain the concept.

I'm affraid I assumed you guys with 3kW elements had been brewing away from the kitchen Oh well we all know where assumption leads to... it makes a ass out of me and you.

To all of you listen to what Sparky Paul has to say, seeing as he is the electrician on the board and obvously has the experience of consumer electrics that I don't have. My experience is coloured by working with larger services in the entertainment world, where factoring in head room is essential because conditions are far from ideal and people have "ideas" not born out of reality

Scooby another option is running your boilers of 2 different rings in your house, if that is a option.

[Scooby]

Scooby, I understand your position. I wouldnt want them in my kitchen, and the boss would not even entertain the concept.

I'm affraid I assumed you guys with 3kW elements had been brewing away from the kitchen Oh well we all know where assumption leads to... it makes a ass out of me and you.

To all of you listen to what Sparky Paul has to say, seeing as he is the electrician on the board and obvously has the experience of consumer electrics that I don't have. My experience is coloured by working with larger services in the entertainment world, where factoring in head room is essential because conditions are far from ideal and people have "ideas" not born out of reality

Scooby another option is running your boilers of 2 different rings in your house, if that is a option.

A shed I could walk into would be nice, but a shed with power that I could brew in

I used to brew in the kitchen but it was an inconvenience so share a leaky old conservatory with my dogs wet towels and welly boots (mine not the dogs) and run a cable with a max load of 3120w from the kitchen and another from a socket in the dinning room.

The forum is a mine of information and it's great that members of various trades share their knoweledge, so a big thanks to you

[prodigal2]

Scooby, being new to brewing its great that I can repay the advice and info I've gained from here.

Its also good to see that you have already given some thought to what you are doing.
All to often people work on the premise of if the plug fits it will be fine. Outside caterers are quite often the worst thinking 10 3kW boilers on a 16A service is fine and then tell you the electrics are rubbish, and the only reason there is a 16A service is because they said they were not bringing any boilers, but you provide one just in case.

Heres hoping for your shed.

Power plan B.
Large hamster wheel
alternater
your dogs

= power for boil, and the dogs get a run! I recon 1 springer is worth 3kW -4kW per hour

[Scooby]

Scooby, being new to brewing its great that I can repay the advice and info I've gained from here.

Its also good to see that you have already given some thought to what you are doing.
All to often people work on the premise of if the plug fits it will be fine. Outside caterers are quite often the worst thinking 10 3kW boilers on a 16A service is fine and then tell you the electrics are rubbish, and the only reason there is a 16A service is because they said they were not bringing any boilers, but you provide one just in case.

Heres hoping for your shed.

Power plan B.
Large hamster wheel
alternater
your dogs

= power for boil, and the dogs get a run! I recon 1 springer is worth 3kW -4kW per hour

Yeah, and you only need one as they go all day.

The thought of a sausage hanging on a string in front of him in the wheel makes me chuckle

[prodigal2]

The thought of a sausage hanging on a string in front of him in the wheel makes me chuckle

the only problem I can see is that a boilover could happen whilst your chortling at your springer running like a lune, ears flapping and all.

Though as a side thought, cleanup after a boil over or cleanup after a long walk with said springers. Hmm I think the boilover may just be that easier to clean up.