16 AMP power cord

Forums › Off topic › 16 AMP power cord

kdn

203 posts

Master Geek

#38397 28-Jul-2009 20:02

Hey Guys,

I have a UPS that I want to hook up, it requires a 16 AMP input which i dont have, however before it came into my possesion it was running of a standard 10amp supply.

I bought the cable below, but found out that the grounding plate on the 2 pin connector is much bigger than a normal socket and won't fit into the wall plate. I am planning on cutting off that end and attaching a standard 10AMP plug.

Anywho, question is really, since i am only running the UPS at quarter load I shouldnt blow my fuse by running it off a 10amp circuit should I? and is attaching a standard plug going to cause me any issues with the amount of load getting pulled from the device?

Flamer

Bung

6482 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#239932 28-Jul-2009 21:00

kdn: Hey Guys,

I have a UPS that I want to hook up, it requires a 16 AMP input which i dont have, however before it came into my possesion it was running of a standard 10amp supply.

I bought the cable below, but found out that the grounding plate on the 2 pin connector???? is much bigger than a normal socket and won't fit into the wall plate. I am planning on cutting off that end and attaching a standard 10AMP plug.

Anywho, question is really, since i am only running the UPS at quarter load I shouldnt blow my fuse by running it off a 10amp circuit should I? and is attaching a standard plug going to cause me any issues with the amount of load getting pulled from the device?
Flamer

You should really change the wall plate, flat pin will be 15 amp. The circuit fuse protects the cable and is unlikely to be only 10 amp. The following advice was for a related subject but still valid

"This may require you to change your single phase power point to a 15 amp socket. Most 10 amp sockets have large enough cable wiring so generally just a socket change is all that is required. Consult your electrician for details."

kdn

203 posts

Master Geek

#239947 28-Jul-2009 21:23

Bung:
kdn: Hey Guys,

I have a UPS that I want to hook up, it requires a 16 AMP input which i dont have, however before it came into my possesion it was running of a standard 10amp supply.

I bought the cable below, but found out that the grounding plate on the 2 pin connector???? is much bigger than a normal socket and won't fit into the wall plate. I am planning on cutting off that end and attaching a standard 10AMP plug.

Anywho, question is really, since i am only running the UPS at quarter load I shouldnt blow my fuse by running it off a 10amp circuit should I? and is attaching a standard plug going to cause me any issues with the amount of load getting pulled from the device?
Flamer

You should really change the wall plate, flat pin will be 15 amp. The circuit fuse protects the cable and is unlikely to be only 10 amp. The following advice was for a related subject but still valid

"This may require you to change your single phase power point to a 15 amp socket. Most 10 amp sockets have large enough cable wiring so generally just a socket change is all that is required. Consult your electrician for details."

Hmm interesting, well I guess that is good news if its just a wallplate change, only reason i am not doing a proper job is because im only renting and only have a few months left here anyway.

The only pin that doesnt fit is the earth the +/- will fit into the current socket.

tahnsk for th einfo.

Flamer.

Jarno

270 posts

Ultimate Geek

#239957 28-Jul-2009 21:46

What sort of home-use UPS needs 16 amps of input? Does it charge from empty to full in 10 minutes or something?

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#240035 29-Jul-2009 08:41

Unless you understand what you are doing messing with these sorts of things will lead to trouble.

First off the product is 15A rated because it requires a bigger load than a regular 10A plug. Removing the plug and replacing it is a bad idea because you'll then mix & match it with other 10A products (such as using it from a multiboard).

You should replace the wall socket with a 15A one and be aware of what else is on the citcuit you use within the house. Ensure the MCB or fuse is rated to 15A and be wary of running anything else that uses excessive current such as a microwave or fan heater on the same circuit or you'll end up causing yourself a whole lot of trouble!

kdn

203 posts

Master Geek

#240066 29-Jul-2009 10:06

sbiddle: Unless you understand what you are doing messing with these sorts of things will lead to trouble.

First off the product is 15A rated because it requires a bigger load than a regular 10A plug. Removing the plug and replacing it is a bad idea because you'll then mix & match it with other 10A products (such as using it from a multiboard).

You should replace the wall socket with a 15A one and be aware of what else is on the citcuit you use within the house. Ensure the MCB or fuse is rated to 15A and be wary of running anything else that uses excessive current such as a microwave or fan heater on the same circuit or you'll end up causing yourself a whole lot of trouble!

Thanks for the reply sbiddle, I would of thought plugging a power board into the UPs and powering 10A devices would be fine, the UPS has 8 or so plugs on the back of it for protected power supplies, so I was going to either run a power boards off a couple of them or use jug cords for everything straight into the UPS.

there is a heater (gas) right next to the computer gear which was off the same power wall plate so maybe its not such a good idea without getting an isolated circuit installed.

and jarno, this is a 3 KVA UPS.

Flamer.

richms

28176 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#240542 30-Jul-2009 12:05

Legally you cannot change the wall plate yourself since its a rental.

If you put a 10A plug on it, and run it thru something with a cutout (powerstrips have them) that will make it so you dont overload the wall. If you are lightly loading the UPS then there should be no problems, they only take a few watts for charging which is why they take so damn long to charge up

Richard rich.ms

kdn

203 posts

Master Geek

#240556 30-Jul-2009 12:40

richms: If you put a 10A plug on it, and run it thru something with a cutout (powerstrips have them) that will make it so you dont overload the wall.

that sort of suggestion is exactly why I post on these boards. Excellent idea thankyou.

Flamer.