15amp Power Socket

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Boeingflyer

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#208625 20-Feb-2017 16:07

Can i assume i can swap out a 10 amp power socket in my garage to a 15amp one with the following conditions which i currently have set up.

1.) The wire is TPS 2.5mm
2.) The circuit breaker at the switchboard for the socket is 20amp
3.) The socket is under 10 meters in wire length away from the switch board
4.) There is one other 10amp power socket on the same circuit breaker.

Any help would be great.

richms

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#1723145 20-Feb-2017 16:48

I've been told both yes and no by sparkies so I wouldn't risk it. If it's for a welder and you're not maxing it out then Jaycar have boxes with a 15a socket and a 10 breaker and plug which should be fine in the lower end of a welders current range.

Richard rich.ms

Boeingflyer

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#1723146 20-Feb-2017 16:52

Yeah i've seen those 15 - 10 amp boxes.

It's for a laser cutter that could spike every now and then. The salesman said most of his customers use the box and it's fine but i would rather have something done right and never worry about it tripping during a job. Will most likely get a sparkie in but just wanted to hear people's thoughts or expertise.

sparkz25

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#1723424 21-Feb-2017 06:53

personally i would run a new feed and put it on a 16a mcb so then you def know that it has its own supply, but might pay to check the feed to the shed, and the breaker supplying it, it could be on a 20a mcb with a 2.5 feeding it? i know this was the case when i moved in to my new property, so that got quickly upgraded to a 4mm and a 32a RCBO

pipe60

127 posts

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#1725383 23-Feb-2017 20:15

Apart from considering volt drop i don't see a problem with adding the 15 amp socket.

Would be interested to know why some sparkies said no.

richms

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#1725404 23-Feb-2017 21:17

pipe60:

Apart from considering volt drop i don't see a problem with adding the 15 amp socket.

Would be interested to know why some sparkies said no.

Had to do max demand calcs rather than a straight swap out, and it was already over what should have been on the submain to the building with just the number of 10a and lights in it. Need to dig and put in some 6mm or bigger so it can be upgraded as its on 4mm at the moment.

Shed is fine so that had the 15A put on it - since the weldings done outside didnt matter which it went on anyway.

Richard rich.ms