Karcher pressure washer mains lead ?

[CompoSimmonite]

To save me having to dismantle my Karcher K series pressure washer to check, can anyone tell me if the mains lead is two or three core ? Plug is moulded on so can't check at that end !
Thanks.

 

[carbon]

I have a K4 in for a repair but it’s all assembled. Cable is marked 3G1.0mm2 so should be three core.

Also id plate doesn’t indicate double insulated

 

[hotponyshoes]

All the pressure washers I have ever messed around with have been 3 core.

I've got some 2.5mm h07bqf which is good for stuff like that if you don't mind Orange!

 

[Mark 5]

All the pressure washers I have ever messed around with have been 3 core.

I've got some 2.5mm h07bqf which is good for stuff like that if you don't mind Orange!

Yes, 3 core H07 will be ok but is 2.5 to large for a Karcher?

 

[hotponyshoes]

Yes, 3 core H07 will be ok but is 2.5 to large for a Karcher?

Possibly. Might be too small. Depends on the size of the karcher!

It's about 9.5mm/10mm O/D so will physically fit into a 13a toughplug

 

[carbon]

All the pressure washers I have ever messed around with have been 3 core

Some of the domestic ones were double insulated and used a brushed motor with an epicyclic gearbox. If they were used too long the gearbox overheated and melted the plastic gears inside the gearbox.

but is 2.5 to large for a Karcher?

I only use 2.5mm2 even if the machine original was fitted with 1.5mm2. Possibly a bit overkill for a domestic machine but the increased conductor size seems to allow for longer cable length when tested with a pat tester. Never a safe ideal to use an industrial pressure washer from an extension cable.

 

[Mark 5]

Possibly. Might be too small. Depends on the size of the karcher!

It's about 9.5mm/10mm O/D so will physically fit into a 13a toughplug

I actually hadn't thought about that, more about the washer but as you have mentioned it, while 2.5 will fit inside a domestic 13a plug top, it's very tight.

 

[Mark 5]

I only use 2.5mm2 even if the machine original was fitted with 1.5mm2. Possibly a bit overkill for a domestic machine but the increased conductor size seems to allow for longer cable length when tested with a pat tester. Never a safe ideal to use an industrial pressure washer from an extension cable.

That all makes sense.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

3 core.

 

[carbon]

Possibly. Might be too small. Depends on the size of the karcher

I would hope for use with a 240v supply 2.5mm 3 core is plenty large enough as it’s rated at approx 25a.

 

[hotponyshoes]

I don't know what a K series karcher is though!

I guess it's a normal 13a plug because the op says it's 'moulded on'

I actually hadn't thought about that, more about the washer but as you have mentioned it, while 2.5 will fit inside a domestic 13a plug top, it's very tight.

The H07BQF is a bit smaller o/d than an H07RFN so goes in ok

 

[Turbo]

You will probably struggle to get 2.5 rubber 3 core through the original cable glands on the karcher. It will be a lot bigger than 10mm!

 

[hotponyshoes]

You will probably struggle to get 2.5 rubber 3 core through the original cable glands on the karcher. It will be a lot bigger than 10mm!

 

[carbon]

It wont have a standard cable gland, its a karcher. On the domestic k series its a moulded strain relief that fits into the casing when the two halves are joined together

I don't know what a K series karcher is though!

Small domestic pressure washer from the ones Ive seen.

 

[brightspark]

wouldnt use any bigger than 1.5mm and use 3 core it will take 16 amps just cuit the earth out if its double insulated. 2.5 overkill

 

[MetalMonkey]

You'll struggle to get 2.5 H07 in a plug. Possible but not easy. 1.5 is likely fine - check the power rating of the machine. H05 will be a little thinner and is often a good compromise.

 

[brightspark]

You'll struggle to get 2.5 H07 in a plug. Possible but not easy. 1.5 is likely fine - check the power rating of the machine. H05 will be a little thinner and is often a good compromise.

my 3hp 2.5kw power washer runs on 1.5mm flex so a karcher is a lot sm,ller than that

 

[aesmith]

If it runs off a 13A plug then it doesn't need anything bigger the 1.5 sq.mm from a current carrying point of view. Do you want a really long lead, so that voltage drop is a concern?

 

[hotponyshoes]

The only reason I mentioned 2.5mm in the first place is I have a load of it, in orange, suitable for pressure washers and it will fit into a 13a plug.

I was basically thinking that the op could have some of that cheaper than buying new 1.5mm cable..

 

[Erie Fred]

Is there not a electrical nameplate on this that specifies max current draw ?