What amp fuse should be in an extension lead?

The guidance is as follows: 3A fuse – 0.5 sq mm flex (for use with max rating of appliance or extension lead etc. up to 3A rating). A 5A fuse may be used for 0.5 sq mm flex if the inrush would blow a 3A.

What is the purpose of fuse in the 13A plug?

The fuse in a plug is a safety device designed to protect the lead rather than the appliance. It is a deliberate weak link in a circuit which will ‘blow’ if an electrical appliance or extension lead draws too much current due to either an overload or a fault.

What happens if you put a 13amp fuse in a 10 amp plug?

Fitting a 13 Amp fuse in a 10 Amp rated circuit may cause an overload or a fire. Fit the correct size fuse. You risk burning your house down. You can put a smaller fuse in with the same “speed” rating.

Are extension leads 13 amp?

Buckingham Fire and Rescue Service recommends that extension leads and sockets should never have more than 3,000 watts of energy or 13 amps plugged into them.

What does 13 amp supply mean?

It is important to never overload a plug socket, which is 3000 watts = 13 Amps. Overloading electrical sockets can cause plugs to overheat and result in fire.

Do plug sockets have fuses?

There is no fuses in a normal plug sockets.

How many amps can a 13A fuse take?

20A
BS 1362 Fuse Operation Characteristics In fact a 13A fuse will allow a current of 20A to pass indefinitely without blowing.

What happens if you plug something in without a fuse?

While most of us know that without a fuse, a household plug, and whichever appliance it’s attached to, won’t work. Upon overload, the wire fuse element heats up and melts, or blows with a resounding bang, interrupting and cutting off the current flow.

What are 10A fuses used for?

A 10 amp fuse will be used to power and protect a circuit that requires a maximum input current of 10 amps. If due to an electrical fault or overload, a current that is significantly over that rating of 10 amps, the fuse will blow – cut off power by destroying itself.

Can I use Armoured cable as an extension lead?

Yep, steel armoured cable, pref 2.5mm. Don’t forget an RCD (30ma) or an rcbo rated at 16 amps! Ask a qualified electrician to fit one of these if you’re not sure how to fit this. Basically the steel armoured cable will offer better protection against electric shocks being that it is running outside.

How many watts can a 13 amp extension cord handle?

It can handle 13 amps. That is about 3 kW. The exact rate depends on the voltage and the voltage the equipment is rated for.

Does an extension lead have a fuse?

Whilst an extension lead does have a fuse often 13amps– built to a British Standard , most people would believe that a 13amp fuse will blow/breakdown if the total loading exceeded 13amps. However, this is simply not the case.

What is the difference between a 5A and 13A fuse?

A 5A fuse may be used for 0.5 sq mm flex if the inrush would blow a 3A. 13A fuse – 0.75 sq mm flex upwards (max rating of appliance or extension lead etc then dependent on flex size, from 6A max at 0.75 sq mm, up to 13 A at 1.25 or 1.5 sq mm).

What is the maximum size of a fuse?

13A fuse – 0.75 sq mm flex upwards (max rating of appliance or extension lead etc then dependent on flex size, from 6A max at 0.75 sq mm, up to 13 A at 1.25 or 1.5 sq mm). Note that there is no lower limit on the ratings – so most appliances/leads etc. these days have 0.75 sq mm flex or greater, and a 13 A fuse – meets all requirements.

How long can a 13 amp fuse run?

This means that for a 13amp fuse it could operate for 30 minutes at 24.7amps before blowing. So that is the maximum conversely the standard also states that the fuse will not operate at 1.6 times its rated current. It is therefore possible for a 13amp fuse to operate continuously whilst carrying a current of 20.8amps.