Hot plug on fan heater.

[nick_j007]

Just been in the garage for an hour messing with the car and listening to music (as you do on a Saturday night).

Felt a bit nippy, so I plugged an old (20yrs) electric fan heater in. When I took the plug out from what was an extension lead cable, the plug from the fan heater was bloody hot!

The heater is a 3000W unit.

What do you think? Is this safe?

Thanks.

[Eggman]

nick_j007 said:

What do you think? Is this safe?

Not overly. The heat is being generated because the wiring in the plug has more electical resistance than it should. Open the plug up and see if the wires look frayed or poorly connected to the terminals. If that looks OK, the next suspect is the extension lead - check that it is rated at 13A - some cheapo ones aren't. If it's not that, chances are the pins of the plug weren't making a good connection inside the extension lead. If either of these prove to be the case, don't use the extension lead with the fan heater.

[Laurel Green]

Just to add; if you have to use an extension lead, make sure it is unwound or it will melt.

[nick_j007]

Thanks guys. Will look at the plug. The extension lead should be ok. Decent quality B&Q fully unwound.

Will still check the points you make however.

Thank you

[Deva Link]

Obviously check the plug wiring as already suggested, but it could also be dirty mating surfaces between the plug and the socket. Have a look at the pins on the plug - the socket it a bit harder to check but just plugging something in and out a few times might help. Make sure the extension is disconnected before you mess about with it!
Ideally you should check the wiring to the extension's socket too, but that's probably sealed? Extensions are often rated at 10A and you're pulling 12-13A through it.

[nick_j007]

Thank you. Now I think about it the wiring in my garage is a bit messy and I need some new wall sockets here and there.

The extension lead was set in a 4 block extender, which was then into the main wall socket. I feel guilty admitting it!

Anyone know of a decent electrician in Worcestershire area that would look at this for me...not exactly a big job for someone that knows what they're doing.

Nick