Electric elements

[tommillski]

Hi Guys,

I've seen loads of threads and how-to's about putting elements in pots, however there isn't much said about using them safely with your sockets. I'm very keen to add elements to my 50l pot, however as i'll need to add two elements i'm a bit unsure as to the safest way to use them. Is it fine to plug them into the normal kitchen sockets and get going? Or should i be putting one in one duo of sockets and put the other with another duo? Should i add circuit breakers?

As i'm living in rented accommodation i'm limited as to what i can do/i don't want to break anything!

Any advice greatly received.

 

[winelight]

You should be fine. After all, you can plug a washing machine and tumble dryer into adjacent sockets, and they have similar current consumption (at least when heating the water, in the case of the washing machine).

 

[31bb3]

dont plug both elements into one socket you will trip the circuit or worse set fire to the wiring what you will need to do is run one from one ring main and the other from another i used to run a lwad out of the kitchen on the downstairs ring and a lead out of the bedroom for the other ring

 

[jonnymorris]

After all, you can plug a washing machine and tumble dryer into adjacent sockets...

Or a toaster and kettle. Not many kitchen fires there. I plug my two boiler elements into the same ring (albeit using separate sockets) with no issues. I do try not to also switch the kettle on at the same time though (just to be sure).

 

[tommillski]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I guess vigilance and common sense will prevail. I'll just make sure I'm extra cautious and maybe start with a small brew to begin!

 

[keith1664]

How many of you have the toaster and the kettle running for 60-90 minutes though?

It's my understanding that you're better off running each element from a different ring.

 

[rpt]

dont plug both elements into one socket you will trip the circuit or worse set fire to the wiring what you will need to do is run one from one ring main and the other from another i used to run a lwad out of the kitchen on the downstairs ring and a lead out of the bedroom for the other ring

The trouble is, you won't trip the circuit. But you will overload the socket. Two elements will take about 22A (or up to 26A) which is fine if they are the only things on a single ring main which is rated at 30A, but each individual socket is rated at 13A or a double is (I'm told) rated at 20A.

 

[Steve]

How many of you have the toaster and the kettle running for 60-90 minutes though?

It's my understanding that you're better off running each element from a different ring.

Not sure about holding a 50L rolling boil but I'm sure most people use both elements to reach a boil quickly and then turn one off leaving one to hold the boil.

 

[greenhouseuk]

How many of you have the toaster and the kettle running for 60-90 minutes though?

It's my understanding that you're better off running each element from a different ring.

Not sure about holding a 50L rolling boil but I'm sure most people use both elements to reach a boil quickly and then turn one off leaving one to hold the boil.

I'm no sparky but I use the basic rule of thumb that I can't run more than 1300 watts off a double power socket so...
1300w / 240v = 5.4A maximum

 

[rpt]

I'm no sparky but I use the basic rule of thumb that I can't run more than 1300 watts off a double power socket so...
1300w / 240v = 5.4A maximum

I don't understand where that comes from. They are called 13A sockets!

 

[StevieDS]

I'm no sparky but I use the basic rule of thumb that I can't run more than 1300 watts off a double power socket so...
1300w / 240v = 5.4A maximum

I don't understand where that comes from. They are called 13A sockets!

I think he's getting mixed up between amps and watts.
13 amps = 3120 watts, so as long you plug the two elements into two different outlets it will be completely fine.
A kettle element is usually about 2200 watts so even if they are both on the same circuit that totals 4.4kw or 18.3A which is well below the 30A which a ring main circuit is rated at.

 

[greenhouseuk]

I'm no sparky but I use the basic rule of thumb that I can't run more than 1300 watts off a double power socket so...
1300w / 240v = 5.4A maximum

I don't understand where that comes from. They are called 13A sockets!

I think he's getting mixed up between amps and watts.
13 amps = 3120 watts, so as long you plug the two elements into two different outlets it will be completely fine.
A kettle element is usually about 2200 watts so even if they are both on the same circuit that totals 4.4kw or 18.3A which is well below the 30A which a ring main circuit is rated at.

Sorry got myself royally confused.
Should have been 1500 watts per element - 2 elements

 

[jonnymorris]

Sorry got myself royally confused.
Should have been 1500 watts per element - 2 elements

Err... my elements are 2.4kW each.

sdsratm's numbers above look about right.