running lanters off the mains

[dfinn]

Hi,

 

ok 2nd attempt of posting this after my mum turned off the server %$£"^&*()(*&^%$£

 

Anyway I basically need to run a general wash off the mains with no dimmers or desk. So I have a 2 way 15a grelco (I think its called that) and a 3 way 15 amp extension lead. I intend to plug the grelco into the 3 way splitterand then put a 13 amp plug on the 3 way splitter to fit it to the mains.

 

This will give me 4 15 amp plugs from a 13 amp socket. I can then patch these into 4 sockets p on the rig and attach 4x 500w profiles.

 

Now if these are 500w jobbies I need 2000w.

 

Now if P=IV and 230 X 13 = 2990 then is it too risky to run these lanters off 1 13 amp plug through a grelco splitter combination?

 

Thanks,

 

Daniel

[J Pearce]

Nope, 13A sockets are good for 3kW, if you look at your kettle or toaster you will probably find it has a 2 or 3kW element.

 

[edit]

 

A lot of lighting cable is rated at 10A, so make sure the 3 way 15A extension has suitably rated cable.

[dfinn]

So its ok do do this and leave it running for a school day of about 6 ro 7 hours?

 

Thanks,

 

Daniel

[J Pearce]

As long as your cables are suitably rated and no prying hands can get to the lights which will be very hot after that amount of time, then yep it should be fine.

We have just done a similar thing for an art exhibition at college.

[Andrew C]

Would you plug a 3kW fan heater into the socket? So why ever not the lights?

 

Check that no one has plugged a fan heater or kettle into the same ring and you'll be OK!

[dfinn]

Yep the cable is all rated to take these lanterns. 15 amp stuff.

 

Thanks,

 

Daniel

[david.elsbury]

The only possible problem you may run into is popping lamps becos they are not preheated, so start from cold. So long as you're careful, and don't knock them when they're on, etc, etc... should be fine.

[dfinn]

theyre way out of rach about 5m up so no worries about people knocking them.

 

Thanks,

 

Daniel

[mac.calder]

You have mentioned that you have a 13A socket - have you checked that there is 13A available on that circuit? It's the kettle & toaster principal (You plug the kettle and the toaster into the same circuit and there goes the breaker - may be an AU thing as our standard is 10A (or in old houses, 8A)).

[dfinn]

Hi,

 

The MCB in there is 10a. I had 4x 500w fresnels on that at first with nothing else and it tripped. So went down t 2 to play it safe and its fine. It gives a great little colour wash by just switching on a plug.

 

Thanks,

 

Daniel

[david.elsbury]

Well, the maths for that doesn't make sense.

10A x 240v = 2400W.

or, 10Ax 220v = 2200w depending on voltage.

Since 4x 500w fresnels = 2000 watt there shouldn't have been a problem.

Unless it tripped on switch on? Because the startup surge was higher than 10A. Which you can combat by switching two on at a time.

Are you sure nothing else was on that circuit??

 

:unsure: David

[Just Some Bloke]

If you can find another socket fed from a different MCB and run the other two lanterns off that then you'll be back to your 4 - lamp wash.

[P. Funk]

Unless you were using 230V lamps and mains voltage was up high.. in which case you're getting nearer the limit.