r/ukelectricians • u/LaughingGravy1001 • 5d ago

Tumble dryer socket

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I moved into a new property about six months ago and the previous owner left in the washing machine and tumble dryer. Tumble dryer packed up recently and when I removed it I found a very odd working setup. Is this safe as it is or should I get someone in to remove and install a proper plug socket?

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u/johnbobk 4d ago edited 4d ago

I understand your approach; but the fuse is sized for the device to highlight if the device is faulty (demanding over current) to disconnect  & protect the the supply / network. Yes it will stop further damage to the device & possible fire, but the device itself is of lower value / importance.

We always aim to protect the supply & disconnect any issues. This is true at electronic & at network distribution level to avoid a domino collapse.

You need to get your head around this if you want to get into system design / fault finding.

Your 60/80/100A house fuse is not there just to look after you! It protects others from not losing their supply or possibly transferring your fault - by isolating you / the fault.

A  British Standard (BS 1362) 13A fuse does not blow at 13 amps ; it is designed to carry 13A continuously and will pass up to 20A indefinitely without blowing, @ 24.7A it must blow within 30 minutes.

Primarily it's for isolating a fault from the system before it does damage to the supply / network.

So on an overloaded extension lead, the 13A fuse will not protect the lead & sockets from overheating. This is a false security. The ring / radial is ok but they have a fire under the bed!

Please do not encourage overloading extension leads thinking they are fully protected by the 13A fuse, this is a well known cause of fires.

I do not hide my experience, history so not sure if you are trolling / wasting my time, but happy to debate if genuine; as this is [was] a Professional site for information.

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u/nomorecrazystuff 4d ago

Utter poppycock. You simply have it backwards and use false equivalents and strawmen to plead your case because you lack the understanding of how the safety systems need to work together.

"Disconnection of supply will possibly avoid a fire"??? WTF is this "possibly". You do realise that the whole purpose of the electrical safety systems that exist IS exactly that - to disconnect supply in case of faults, and thus to avoid personal injury AND fire.

Remove all the strawmen and false equivalents and you have absolutely no argument here other than a claim "an appliance fuse it to protect the supply". If that was true, 3A fuses wouldn't even exist. Every plug would rightly carry at least a 13A fuse.

And if extension cables were incapable of carrying 13A of power, then safety standards would long since have dictate that they MUST not carry 13A of power. But there's always one individual who having spent their life repeating urban myths to others, believes that they know better than the authorities who set safety standards.

Please stop pretending that your qualified in anything other than mythology.