Gripe of the day - What is yours?

[R1ffR4ff]

Originally Posted by Seeker

Thanks for the info but I bought one because everybody else seemed to have one (I know, I know... sheep). Then I realised that the food it excels in cooking I rarely eat anyway, I did try and bake a sweet potato (I wanted the crispy skin) which is when it blew the thermal fuse. I knew I shouldn't support the CCP but bought it anyway.

I know what you mean. I've resisted the fashion. I've used my Microwave for years and find it fast and efficient for loads of stuff. I use it to do my frozen mixed veg and canned potatoes ( slice them up first otherwise they pop/explode ).

I keep the Microwave trays from single Micro meals and use them as they are the exact size. I place my frozen veg in one tray with a bit some water and the potatoes in another the same on top. Around 9 mins and both are done. If I'm having meat or chicken strips I cook them/it for around 3 mins from the freezer and then fry in the pan for the rest and proper cook. Saves loads on my gas bill.

I stopped using my Gas wall hot water heater years ago after fitting one of these in my Kitchen sink,

Electric Water heater

You need a 30 amp cooker supply to be safe. I worked out the pilot light on the Wall heater was costing around £50 a year just to be left on and of course used a lot of water before the hot water came through to the sink so it's also knocked down my Water bills.

It wasn't hard to fit but you need the flexy pipes like this,

https://www.screwfix.com/search?sear...ble+water+pipe

You just need to match up the correct one/s.

Various ones around and help on YT

https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...t+water+heater

[redtrummy]

just over 9 amps drain - would have thought it should be ok in a 13A socket on a ring main or am I missing something

[R1ffR4ff]

Originally Posted by redtrummy

just over 9 amps drain - would have thought it should be ok in a 13A socket on a ring main or am I missing something

Of course you are correct but as this was an open post I wanted err on the side of caution. Even though it wasn't part of my job before I retired from the Aircraft industry I took and passed an NVQ Level 3 17th edition certificate in domestic electrics so have had it drilled into to me about safety with electrics.

As I own my own house and have no intention of selling it I don't mind doing this kind of work myself

[Ruffy]

Originally Posted by Seeker

I had checked its resistance (58 ohms) and it isn't shorted to earth.

If you're only testing resistance with a regular multimeter then it's possible you're getting a false positive: Sometimes, when insulation is beginning to break down it takes the higher potential of the mains voltage to drive the short circuit.

This could explain why it seems OK on the bench but then trips when operated with mains.

Proper insulation test standards demand minimum 2x rated voltage for this reason. ("Megger it!" is the ubiquitous call from electricians - though other brands of insulation tester are available )

(Apologies if you know all this and are testing with rated equipment.)

[Ruffy]

Originally Posted by redtrummy

just over 9 amps drain - would have thought it should be ok in a 13A socket on a ring main or am I missing something

What did I miss? How did you calculate 9A? 3000W at 230V is approx. 13A. You'd probably get away with that on a 13A 'plug' fuse but inrush current can be much higher on heater elements so things can sometimes be a bit unpredictable.

Originally Posted by R1ffR4ff

Of course you are correct but as this was an open post I wanted err on the side of caution. Even though it wasn't part of my job before I retired from the Aircraft industry I took and passed an NVQ Level 3 17th edition certificate in domestic electrics so have had it drilled into to me about safety with electrics.

You're right to be careful, and I agree a dedicated circuit is better for this type of application - it's likely to be fairly frequent use so sharing with other typical kitchen loads could lead to nuisance trips due to natural overload occurring. All depends on the specific circumstances of course, but IMHO a full 30/32A cooker rated circult is probably overkill for this. And using a higher rated breaker than it needs is not necessarily safer.

Personally*, if it's on a dedicated spur circuit from consumer unit, I'd recommend a 16A MCB for better overload protection - being closer to the load's rated use current it will trip sooner when a fault occurs. (Choice of cable size is relevant too.) A 'normal' Type B MCB is probably OK but if nuisance trips are an issue (sometimes happens when switching on heaters/motors/welders due to high inrush current) then fitting a Type C rather than a higher rated MCB could better resolve that issue. (Such circuits should really have RCD protection too.)

*Disclaimer: Having said all that I'm a bit out of date about latest regulations, so nothing I write should be taken as professional advice - seek expert guidance if you have any doubts about [electrical] safety.

[Grant66]

Originally Posted by Ruffy

If you're only testing resistance with a regular multimeter then it's possible you're getting a false positive: Sometimes, when insulation is beginning to break down it takes the higher potential of the mains voltage to drive the short circuit.

This could explain why it seems OK on the bench but then trips when operated with mains.

Proper insulation test standards demand minimum 2x rated voltage for this reason. ("Megger it!" is the ubiquitous call from electricians - though other brands of insulation tester are available )

I was going to type out something similar but not many people have a mega lying around at home.

Only way to "prove" it's ok is to stick a known good one in and see if you get the same result.



Sent from my SM-S918B using Tapatalk

[redtrummy]

I appear to have had a bit (large)brain block!

[Ruffy]

Originally Posted by redtrummy

I appear to have had a bit (large)brain block!

It wouldn't have been the first time I've been wrong! So i had to check for my own sanity's sake, sorry.

(In your defence, 2000W would have given the current you suggested - and that's an easy misread or typo into calculator )

[redtrummy]

Thinking about it I just stuffed the numbers into Google - as they say rubbish in rubbish out! Bit of an embarrassment considering my job entailed an element of IT especially in my working later years. I blame the stroke , it has affected my vision - hence no driving license.

[garynortheast]

GotD. Brutish Gasbags. Useless bunch of inept tosspots. I'd get a more efficient service from a pile of parrot cack.