Hi all I am new to the forum and am looking for some advice on the legality and best way to increase the length of a vacuum cleaner power cable without using extension cables.
It is in a nursing home environment.
Can I just replace the cable myself or do I have to have an electrician do it?? Is it legal to add a female to Male plug making a longer fly lead??
Many thanks
There are many things to consider.
Is replacing the existing lead with a longer one worth the cost?
The longer lead will be more prone to damage, simply because there will be more of it.
If the longer lead is damaged, then it will cost more to replace.
The longer lead may require having larger conductors due to volt drop.
What would you do with the longer lead, if the hoover stops working?
An extension lead (even with larger size conductors) may be cheaper than the length of cable you need to replace the hover lead.
If either the hoover lead or the extension become damaged, replacement would be cheaper.
If the hoover needs replacing, you would still have the extension lead.
One drawback with an extension lead, is that it should in most cases be fully unwound when used.
Another draw back, is that there are more plugs and a socket which could be damaged.
Another is someone may borrow or steal the extension lead.
