Powerboards for the kitchen

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timmmay

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#2429984 2-Mar-2020 11:04

mclean:

timmmay:In practice we sometimes run a washing machine and drier on a double outlet, which probably consumes 15A at times, but we try not to.

I wouldn't do that, especially if I'm out of the house or sleeping.

We did it for about 10 years before we learned that sockets were rated for 10A total rather than 10A per socket. We still do it since it hasn't caused any problems yet, and I doubt I could convince my wife.

Next time we have an electrician in I'll have them check the wiring is sufficient to handle it.

Dugimodo

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#2429985 2-Mar-2020 11:04

I have one connected to my microwave as a makeshift extension lead and it's been there working fine for about 5-6 years now. 1200W microwave. I think the kettle might be your issue, although it technically isn't overloading the boards it's running them close to max when you use it.

Most multiboards are used in relatively low load situations and the manufacturers likely don't design for the heavy use you are subjecting yours to. A more industrial type board meant for power tools might last better,but might look odd in a kitchen.

Can you not plug the kettle in to it's own point? I use the stove for mine.

mclean

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#2430008 2-Mar-2020 11:27

timmmay: We did it for about 10 years before we learned that sockets were rated for 10A total rather than 10A per socket. We still do it since it hasn't caused any problems yet, and I doubt I could convince my wife.

Next time we have an electrician in I'll have them check the wiring is sufficient to handle it.

The circuit is probably OK. Its the outlet itself that might object to being overloaded as it get older. A couple of new singles on the existing circuit and I'd be relaxed. Having said that, I still won't let my wife run the dryer while were out, as a result of first hand experience (of the dryer failing, not the socket outlet).

Technofreak

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#2430009 2-Mar-2020 11:28

Dugimodo:

Can you not plug the kettle in to it's own point? I use the stove for mine.

If the OP's house is like ours used to be, probably not. The stove wasn't conveniently located to regularly use the hot points on it.

Before we installed a new kitchen we had the grand total of one double hotpoint in the kitchen, not counting the one used by the fridge.

If I remember correctly we added 17 hotpoints in the upgrade. Sure we don't use them all at once but at least we have hotpoints where we need them with no need for any multi plugs.

Edit. Our house was built in the mid 70's, so it wasn't because the house was very old.

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richms

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#2430457 2-Mar-2020 21:06

On the weekend I have the washer and dryer running almost all day on a bunnings finest deta double outlet. The washer doesnt heat for that long, and the dryer backs down its power use once its hot inside. No dramas at all with that. On a 20A 2.5mm circuit dedicated to that outlet because it was the bathroom one before I chopped the wall out to make the room beside the bathroom the laundry.

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SomeoneSomewhere

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#2431522 3-Mar-2020 02:07

Under current rules, a 10A socket has to be on a minimum of a 13A circuit if you follow the recommendations in the book. It's highly highly unusual for sockets to be on anything less than a 16A circuit. "Socket size must equal circuit size" is US rules and simply isn't relevant here.

I do agree that it's daft that sockets aren't required to be tested with every point fully loaded or marked otherwise, especially given double adapters have to have 'Max load 2400W' plastered everywhere.

It's not even in the documentation - I had to call Schneider to double check once.

Tracer

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#2432657 4-Mar-2020 18:03

SomeoneSomewhere:

Under current rules, a 10A socket has to be on a minimum of a 13A circuit if you follow the recommendations in the book.

Do you know where there is specified? I've never read that before.

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SomeoneSomewhere

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#2432753 4-Mar-2020 19:41

Table C8 of AS/NZS3000.

It's informative only, though. It's not mandatory to comply with Appendix C.

mclean

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#2432966 5-Mar-2020 10:05

Table C9 in the latest edition (2018).

SomeoneSomewhere

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#2432977 5-Mar-2020 10:23

Which isn't cited by legislation and so is currently only so much paper.

mdooher

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#2432980 5-Mar-2020 10:33

chevrolux:

For a standard GPO in a house... yep 10A. It could be a 30-way plug, and still only do 10A. Maybe a 15A breaker if you are lucky, but extremely unlikely.

But yea, OP, you have probably the three most power hungry devices connected in the same place. If you got the outlet swapped to a quad, probably the internals won't burn-out like they would in a multi-board. But you will pop breakers.

except I see the PDL 641/15 is rated at "250V, 3 x 10A, 1xA15" I know what it is probably supposed to mean, but that is what is on the certificate of conformity

Matthew

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