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Extension Lead

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  • 02-06-2020 12:12pm
    #1
    tombrown
    Registered Users Posts: 462 ✭✭


    I have (had) a 50M extension lead. The lads fitting our gate used it (fully extended) to try & run their welder and it tripped. I have checked it out and the fuse in the plug is fine and I can measure 220V at that end but when I open up the sockets the voltage is only about 48V (I checked both sides of the thermal trip)

    So now I am at a loss - I assume this must mean damage to the wires somewhere along the cable, is that right? To my simple mind it should read either 220V or 0V, not something between.

    Any ideas on how/if I can fix this, or do I just have to splash out on a new one?


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    #2
    coylemj
    Registered Users Posts: 25,461 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    What's the (amps) rating on the extension lead and what fuse is in the plug? Did you ask the lad with the welder what current he was going to draw before you loaned him your extension lead?


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    #3
    tombrown
    Registered Users Posts: 462 ✭✭tombrown


    Extension lead rated for 3000W, 230V (so 13amp) when fully extended. It has a 13A fuse. It was fully extended when it tripped

    No I didn't ask him what current the welder would use, though if it was trying to pull more than 13A I would expect that the fuse would have blown first. Any way, rightly or wrongly, that ship has sailed

    So whats the prognosis?


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    #4
    brightspark
    Registered Users Posts: 2,637 ✭✭✭brightspark


    Most likely a broken connection somewhere. check the continuity of each core.


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    #5
    adrian92
    Registered Users Posts: 566 ✭✭✭adrian92


    Perhaps the voltage you are measuring an induced voltage?


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    #6
    autumnalcore
    Registered Users Posts: 835 ✭✭✭autumnalcore


    Extension lead probably got caught in the door at some stage, gust of wind and a nice sharp door edge look for kink and nick in the cable.


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    #7
    adrian92
    Registered Users Posts: 566 ✭✭✭adrian92


    tombrown wrote: »
    I have (had) a 50M extension lead. The lads fitting our gate used it (fully extended) to try & run their welder and it tripped. I have checked it out and the fuse in the plug is fine and I can measure 220V at that end but when I open up the sockets the voltage is only about 48V (I checked both sides of the thermal trip)

    So now I am at a loss - I assume this must mean damage to the wires somewhere along the cable, is that right? To my simple mind it should read either 220V or 0V, not something between.

    Any ideas on how/if I can fix this, or do I just have to splash out on a new one?

    Looks like a btoken neutral ( the 48 volts was probably induced) Not real. Others better than I could help. Moderator always good.
    A broken neutral


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    #8
    tombrown
    Registered Users Posts: 462 ✭✭tombrown


    Thansk for all the suggestions - I'll check it out with a m/meter tonight


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