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10amp plug for 2.5mm cable

PostPosted: Sat Mar 12, 2016 8:13 pm
by Rumking
Hi guys
So I'm about to get my FSD 2400w weldless elements wired up, I'm gathering every together to take to the sparky.
Got 6m of 2.5mm 2core plus earth orange electrical cable but I can't find any 10amp plugs that will fit the 2.5mm cable largest Bunnings have are for 1.5mm cable.
Anyone know of brands or places that sell the 10amp 2.5mm plugs???

Re: 10amp plug for 2.5mm cable

PostPosted: Sat Mar 12, 2016 8:23 pm
by Professor Green
Electrician Supplies sell 10A plugs that fit that gauge cable.

Cheers,
Prof. Green.

Re: 10amp plug for 2.5mm cable

PostPosted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 12:08 pm
by Undertaker
I would put a 15amp plug on there as a minimum. A 2400 w element will be running at 10amps and you might find the plug and or outlet getting hot after a few hours use. Plus the 15amp plug will be more suited to the cable size.

cheers Phil

Re: 10amp plug for 2.5mm cable

PostPosted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 12:33 pm
by Rumking
Thanks prof green, I'll check it out

Undertaker, I agree with what your saying but my issue is I only have 10amp GPO at the moment so I'm assuming a 15amp plug won't work there, is that right?

Re: 10amp plug for 2.5mm cable

PostPosted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 2:05 pm
by rumsponge
yes, a 15 amp plug wont fit a 10 A outlet and the safest solution would be to install a 15A outlet.
However, having said that, I have been running oil heaters/heating fans with combined >3200W on a single 10A rated outlet (the circuit can handle 20A) without noticing any heat build up at the the plug/cable/outlet.
Check with your sparky - you dont want to burn down your shed.

Re: 10amp plug for 2.5mm cable

PostPosted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 3:23 pm
by _TK_
Some Bunnings carry 10amp plug that will fit 2.5 cable (i thing it is called heavy duty there), if no luck any sparky supply shop will have it, IMO don't mock around with 15amp plug or outlet, not needed for 2400 element .. and if you are getting sparky to wire it up for you, he will have all plugs and stuff, keep it simple and safe

Re: 10amp plug for 2.5mm cable

PostPosted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 6:06 pm
by Professor Green
Undertaker is quite right to suggest upgrading to 15A plugs and outlets as it gives you a very good amount of headroom since you will be continuously running at the limit of the 10A outlets and they may get hot when doing that. Having said that, I run my 2400W elements through 2 separately wired 10A outlets in my shed using 10A Extra Heavy Duty plugs from the place I linked to and they don't get warm.

Cheers,
Prof. Green.

Re: 10amp plug for 2.5mm cable

PostPosted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 10:29 pm
by warramungas
rumsponge wrote:yes, a 15 amp plug wont fit a 10 A outlet and the safest solution would be to install a 15A outlet.


My nan and pop can get a 15 amp plug to fit a 10 amp outlet. They're serious caravanners and always carry an adapter cable so they can plug in their 15 amp caravan into any 10 amp caravan park. Just file off a little of the earth plug. They're in their 80's and the laws of physics no longer apply to them. :))
NOT CONDONING IT but I know lots of caravanners that do it. They're safe as they only run a microwave and tv with a gas oven. Guess the caravans wired up in case of an electric stove installation. Definitely WOULDN'T try to run a 15 amp element on a 10 amp outlet like that. Playing with fire, literally, doing that.
Don't know if you could do something similar with a 15 amp plug so you could get it to work on a 10 amp socket (if it can take the 2.5mm wires). Personally I'd just get the sparkie to sort out if you want to use that cable. I've only ever used 1.5 on 10 amps and never had a problem even on 7+ hour spirit runs (yeah, my stills kinda small).

Re: 10amp plug for 2.5mm cable

PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2016 11:27 am
by WTDist
Didnt read the other posts but i got a 10 amp heavy duty socket/plug from Haymens electrical, seen in this pic. cost about 20 bucks for them both. I used 2.5mm cable also with my controller below. Takes some thinking to get the 2.5mm cable in without it being to snug a fit but its doable, im sure you will work it out, after all i did :))
Image

Re: 10amp plug for 2.5mm cable

PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2016 1:48 am
by sparkydan
hi all .
a 15 a socket outlet must be on its own circuit
dont manipulate 15 a 3 pin plug to fit a 10 a socket outlet
if you need 15 a best to do the right thing get a new circuit installed
if your not sure how many amps you need try this
watts divided by voltage
1000w element divided by base voltage 240v equals 4.1 amps

watts/voltage=amps

by the way a 10a 3 pin plug is ok with 2.5 mm cable its the same as most extension leads . but if you need 15a have to call a elec

Re: 10amp plug for 2.5mm cable

PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2016 8:42 am
by WTDist
I believe he is running on a 10 Amp circuit with max 2400W but running on 2.5mm^2 cable like a 15A circuit although standard 10A plugs have a narrow cable entry. A heavy duty 10A plug is required

Re: 10amp plug for 2.5mm cable

PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2016 12:45 pm
by jacobraven
use to run my pure reflux 2400w on a jug cord never got hot and often it would run for a solid day

Re: 10amp plug for 2.5mm cable

PostPosted: Tue May 10, 2016 4:35 pm
by sparkydan
Sounds like bugger all current think your 10 will work use the calc put up to check if your worried id normally charge 250 to 300 bucks for a new 15 A circut