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Thread: Question for the sparkies

  1. 21st January 2015, 07:17 PM #1
    towe0609's Avatar
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    Question for the sparkies

    I'm looking at buying a welder. The options seem to open up if I have a 15A socket, which I don't have.

    I did however recently decommission an electric hot water system, and the wiring has been taped and simply poked under the house.

    Could I get an electrician to install an outdoor 15A socket, and then I could just run a 15A extension to the shed when I need to use the welder (I'm willing to trade off the inconvenience of this for the savings of electrical work).

    I've looked in the box and there is a dedicated 25A switch for the Hot Water which was Day and Night on options. It is currently switched to off.

    Thanks in advance.

    btw please don't bother suggesting filing down the 15A plug and plugging it into a 10A socket - I've read all the arguments about that
    Last edited by towe0609; 21st January 2015 at 07:19 PM. Reason: extra info to request
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  2. 21st January 2015, 07:55 PM #2
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    If it is 2.5mm cable or larger and is definitely a dedicated circuit,you will be fine.

    You will need a heavy duty extension lead.

    How long will the lead be?

    A very long lead will cause problems.

    A sparkie would have to bypass the day night unit as well,just run directly to the 15a plug.
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  3. 21st January 2015, 08:07 PM #3
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    Sounds doable with what you describe. As mentioned, if the run is a long way, you may get a bit of voltage drop. What length extension lead would you need?

    EDIT - just done the voltage drop calculation based on a fully loaded 15 amps (which it would rarely/never be) and 21 ish metres is about your limit while keeping your voltage drop below 5%. That's based a a 1.5mm conductor size (common size for a 15 amp extension lead). At 12 amps, using the same sized lead, you can go to 29 metres. That's assuming minimal loss in the hard wired circuit that is already in your house, but if that is a long run, take a bit off or let us know the actual run length and the conductor size.
    If you need to contact me please email homestarrunnerau@gmail.com - thanks - Gav.
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  4. 21st January 2015, 08:28 PM #4
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    Or you could use one of these HD extension leads,if needed.

    http://www.powersafe.net.au
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  5. 21st January 2015, 08:34 PM #5
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    Yep, that's a kick arse lead - 2.5mm for the 15amp jobbie - no issues to be had using that.
    If you need to contact me please email homestarrunnerau@gmail.com - thanks - Gav.
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  6. 21st January 2015, 09:40 PM #6
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    Would this be OK

    30 metre Blue 20amp Lead 15amp Plugs Ordinary Duty 240V Extension Lead Test & Tagged for the Caravan / RV
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  7. 21st January 2015, 10:31 PM #7
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    How far is the end of the old hot water feed from the switch board? (ie cable run length)

    How far is the end of the old hot water feed to the garage? (ie the shortest length a extension lead would need to be?)

    As Scarry said, is it a 2.5mm2 (minimum) dedicated cable?

    If we have this info we can give you a better answer. In short, that lead may be to long.

    Also your sparky will obviously have to changed that 25A MCB to a 16A one.

    We need more info!
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  8. 22nd January 2015, 06:41 AM #8
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    It is a dedicated cable, and while I haven't checked I expect its 4mm2 given its a 25A MCB at the box. The existing wiring to the old HWS would be 15-20m long.

    The run from the HWS (where I plan on putting the 15A outdoor outlet) to the garage would be min 10m and up to 20m depending on where I'm working.
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  9. 22nd January 2015, 08:28 AM #9
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    Tim, the mcb will need to be changed to an rcbo as you will be installing a socket outlet. Sing out if you need a hand, we work in traf a fair bit so only around the corner
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  10. 22nd January 2015, 05:20 PM #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by towe0609 View Post
    Would this be OK

    30 metre Blue 20amp Lead 15amp Plugs Ordinary Duty 240V Extension Lead Test & Tagged for the Caravan / RV
    Looks like 2.5mm,so would be fine
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