electricity.

[jef88]

okay this is probably a daft question, and I certainly think it's off-topic to this part of the forum, but I can't see where else I might post this.

I'm no electrician, so please be gentle

in my garage i've only got 13amp sockets, now I think these will be sampled off the ringmain, but I'm not sure (and I'm not sure wether that will matter anyway).

I'm looking to change 1 of the 13amp sockets for a 16amp socket, is this a straight swap of sorts, or will I need to see what the breakers are rated at and stick a 16amp breaker in? I have lots of other 240/16amp stuff atm, but I'm just running them off a genny, and as I'm hoping to buy an arc welder in the near future, I think it's probably time I got this sorted.

Anyway, Thanks alot.

James

 

[Drains]

James, ideally, fit a 20A C or D breaker and a 16A socket. As long as your ring main can take it (I should hope so!), it'll be fine. Might not be legal to do it yourself though. So don't tell anyone.

 

[DingleZilla]

13A or 16Amp

Hi James,

I have a 220 mig and to supply enough power I fitted a 40amp (D40) breaker. If you were qualified? You would take all the details of your consumer unit and breaker information to your City Electrical Factors or similar outlet and get a D40 breaker. Why D40? You may as well have a lot of power as a little and not have the issue of any trip out's! Of course they will supply you with suitable cable and fixing's. And you would use the blue type IP44 rated plugs and wall mounted socket's. You would then be set for any future upgrades! Regards, DZ.

 

[jef88]

Thanks for your answers lads.

Cheers.
James

 

[jugs]

James, ideally, fit a 20A C or D breaker and a 16A socket. As long as your ring main can take it (I should hope so!), it'll be fine. Might not be legal to do it yourself though. So don't tell anyone.

Sorry drains, I dont think thats good advice.
The fuse / breaker should be the weak link in the circuit. A 16A socket is rated @ 16A NOT 20A

James I suggest you wait for madkayaker who is a NICEIC approved sparks to come along, or PM him.

PS just seen your last post, SIP units dont rate very high on here, DONT buy anything yet. Look through old theads then tell us what you want to weld, lots of good expereance on here to help you get the right unit.
Then we can sort the power.

 

[Drains]

Sorry drains, I dont think thats good advice.
The fuse / breaker should be the weak link in the circuit. A 16A socket is rated @ 16A NOT 20A

James I suggest you wait for madkayaker who is a NICEIC approved sparks to come along, or PM him.

Jugs, I can't argue with your theory. So I won't.


What I meant was a 32A socket and a 20A breaker.



Yeah... right

 

[jugs]

Jugs, I can't argue with your theory. So I won't.

 

[drivewasher]

If your sockets are part of or spured off the ring main, then your ring main should be protected by a 30 amp fuse or a 32 Amp circuit breaker B rated in the consumer unit

 

[jef88]

If your sockets are part of or spured off the ring main, then your ring main should be protected by a 30 amp fuse or a 32 Amp circuit breaker B rated in the consumer unit

so then I just need to change the breaker and plug?

also, assuming the breaker should be the weakest points, does this mean i'll have to run another 13amp mains cable for the 13amp stuff? (theres only a fridge, but that contains the all-important beer)

 

[madkayaker]

If you are wanting a 16A socket it must be on its own breaker (16A). What type of CU unit is in the garage? how big is the feed to the garage from the house i presume? What kind of stuff have you currently got that's 16A sockets as the loads might not be that big they could just have 16A plugs as there a more hard wearing industrial system?

 

[jef88]

how big is the feed to the garage from the house i presume?

wha? :s

i'll see if I can find out tonight for you, as I might get home from work a bit earlier than last nights time of 11:50

anywho, thanks for these answers.