Hot plug

[cattery]

Hey yo

I have recently completed my first test heat up of my still.
I have a 50lt keg running off 2 x 2400w macstill elements.
It only came to the boil for 10 mins (took 20 mins to get there) on a 30lt charge.
But i noticed when i turned off the power and unplugged it the two "hot" terminals on the plug were, well, actually hot to the touch and the wall socket's were warm as well.

Is this something i should worry about?

I have a volt controller so will this be an issue when i do a real run and only use one element on a lower voltage for the majority of the run?

Cheers :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[punchy21]

Do you have 2 x 2400W elements running off 1 outlet??

[the Doctor]

Yes Cattery this is something to be concerned about...in short while many electrical fittings are rated for the amperage you are using. The continuous long term use of them can lead to failure...For instance I recently had a failure of two plugs and relays which were rated at 20 amps...I was only pulling 15 amps through them, however as my Electrician kindly explained that, as I was doing that 8 hours a day 5 days a week. The continuous usage and constant heavy load caused a melt down... The result could have easily caused a fire or an explosion given the quantity of azeotrope nearby. We are now upgrading the whole system. Please consult an electrician, and do not dismiss hot plugs. The resulting fire can really ruin your day. Cheers.
Doc

[cattery]

I'll get the sparky out again to have another check of the system.
They are running off two seperate outlets on different circuits.

[punchy21]

I'll get the sparky out again to have another check of the system.
They are running off two seperate outlets on different circuits.

Ahh phew, good to hear :handgestures-thumbupleft:
Getting a sparky to have a look is the best way to go...

[cattery]

Well the sparky came around and checked all the element connections.
All good with the connections and the plugs.
The fault was with the cheap chinese outlet, he said that it wasnt connecting to the pins properly so he replaced it.

He said it will get warm but should not get hot. And that the plug may deteriorate over time and too keep an eye out for signs of wear.

I told him it was a water boiler on the phone but when he turned up he took one look at it and says "is that a still" "um yeah" :? so he pulls out his phone and said he has one too and showed me some pics.

It has surprised me that there are so many people doing this he is the third random distiller i've come across in my journey so far.

Cheers

[Smbjk]

Well the sparky came around and checked all the element connections.
All good with the connections and the plugs.
The fault was with the cheap chinese outlet, he said that it wasnt connecting to the pins properly so he replaced it.

He said it will get warm but should not get hot. And that the plug may deteriorate over time and too keep an eye out for signs of wear.

I told him it was a water boiler on the phone but when he turned up he took one look at it and says "is that a still" "um yeah" :? so he pulls out his phone and said he has one too and showed me some pics.

It has surprised me that there are so many people doing this he is the third random distiller i've come across in my journey so far.

Cheers

Wow I wish I could have someone to talk to my apprentices just roll their eyes and say " when do we get some chef" ahhh never :D

[cattery]

Yeah whenever i meet some one it's always interesting.