Daisy chaining extension leads - why is it so wrong?

[john999uk]

So it's Friday night and I am sitting here wondering why daisy chaining extension leads is so wrong?

Provided the cable is rated at over the plug fuse, each plug has is appropriately fused to protect cable, and extension cable is not coiled why is it considered dangerous to daisy chain extension leads?

Is it that there are too many extension leads that are not correctly fused to suit their cable?

Any ideas?

 

[rattlehead85]

Blimey mate you need to get out more lol.

 

[telectrix]

it's because numpties can either overload them or trip over them. darwin theory comes into mind here. let the buggers get dead. less strain on the welfare state.

 

[rattlehead85]

Love it telectrix mate haha.

 

[SYKRAPS]

Because it IS lol

 

[john999uk]

But if the extension is appropriately fused how can you overload it, surely the fuse will protect the cable?

Is it just that a cheapy pound shop extension cable may be fused at 3amps (appropriately for the 'bell wire' cable) but when it's overloaded and the fuse blows the Darwin candidate puts a 13 amp fuse in it and it then catches fire?

 

[lamb]

For some reason extension leads normally leak 1.2mA to earth when you PAT them.
So if you have, say, 4 sets of 3 leads (daisy chained or not) in an installation covered by one 30mA RCD, thats 12x1.2=14.4mA, nearly enough to trip.

 

[SYKRAPS]

You are adding to the length of the cable so things like VD etc, also they are fuse rated on the EL being totally unwound which many people do not do at full load

 

[ste mac]

You will increase Zs with every length of cable and every set of socket/plug connections added, which could affect disconnection times.

 

[plugsandsparks]

^^^^ - Anyone that has PAT tested extension leads knows they are poo wrt earth current carrying capability. Thats why really should be used with RCD