Brew builder 3Kw LWD is 13amp plug ok

[Fastline]

Does anyone here use the Brewbuilder 3Kw LWD element powered from a domestic 13amp plug

Done a bit of ohms law and sounds very close to the mark

3000watts / 240Volts comes out at 12.5Amps. The theory sounds good but has anyone here got any actual experience of using them like this

[BrannigansLove]

Isn't UK voltage 230V these days? Which would push it just over the 13A threshold.

[UpTheToon]

I've used one through a normal plug for a while.

The plug itself got fairly warm / hot.

I also set fire to my home build controller.

I now have it housed in a metal box on the wall with a 16amp plug. Better safe than burnt to a crisp.

[Kyle_T]

I use one of these on my new kit and they draw between 14.2 and 14.6 amps on full chat, you will need the proper kit to run it from a 13 amp plug like I do.

[Fastline]

Interesting point, which is really why I need to see if anyone has used them like this

I think where I am its typically 243volts measured on a multi meter

Thanks UpTheToon, I had thought they might get a little toasty but was more wondering if they would pop the fuses

Out of curiosity did you have a Amp meter on you control box, do you remember what sort of amps you was pulling

I had planned to use the round 16amp sockets in the future but just want to get a boiler rigged up so I can do some all grain 5gallon batches on the go sooner rather than later

[Kyle_T]

Here is my control box:

[Fil]

16a commando sockets and plugs are not very expensive, just ensure you anchor the socket box well they can take a hefty tug to extract

[Wonkydonkey]

Here I get 240vac and when I use a 3kw pigtail element it draws 12.5a, so it works for me. I also do use 16a mains cable with a 13a plug
If you set fire to somthing upthetoon then you did somthing wrong in your box

[Fastline]

That's an interesting one as your actually showing the voltage too if my calcs are correct that 3456watts your pulling there, a fair bit higher than the 3Kw rating of the elements.

What have you got feeding the control box, looks like a 13amp wall socket next to it in the pic or is that something else

Interesting control see you have there pid and I take it that one of those variable solid state relays

[Kyle_T]

That is indeed a 13 amp plug.

The PID does have a variable solid state relay and a power adjuster, it draws 12 amps at 80% power.

[Hogarth]

Even if the element's drawing less than 13A, running it from a 13A socket for an hour is far from ideal.

[Fastline]

I'm surprised it doesn't pop the the fuse but hey you cant argue with that

Is it PID on your HLT and variable solid state on boil kettle

Seems like a neat solution, have you got a thread on jims on this control, I like a nice control box

[Kyle_T]

Nope, only use 2 vessels, a mash tun and a combination HLT/Boiler.

No thread on here about the build.

[UpTheToon]

Here I get 240vac and when I use a 3kw pigtail element it draws 12.5a, so it works for me. I also do use 16a mains cable with a 13a plug
If you set fire to somthing upthetoon then you did somthing wrong in your box

Yes, I have no doubt it was my wiring I was just emphasising how careful you have to be and to do things properly.

I've done loads of brews on my rail mounted 16a wall setup without issue.

I didn't have an amp meter on it.

[Kev888]

The nominal UK voltage of 230v quoted these days is within the allowable deviation of our supply voltage, but in reality it is still usually around 240v - sometimes more, sometimes less.

A 3kw element @240v is within the spec of UK domestic plug and socket ratings, and so you can run them together. However, it is almost at the max recommended limit and durability is therefore an additional issue; only the better brands (like MK) can actually withstand that regularly for long periods of time without heating up and wearing out quite quickly. Having run 3kw immersion elements on 13A plugs and sockets myself, I can attest to this. Industrial 16A plugs or fused spurs would be even better, but these aren't always possible in the home.

The brew builder elements don't specify if they are 3kw at 240v or at 230v, but without tolerances (which most don't quote anyway) thats perhaps a meaningless distinction in any case.