Heavy Duty Extension cable idea for garden and pool use

[alitech]

I have recently bought a 10ft pool with an electric filter and heater. Its an intex brand. I have a garden power reel that I use for the lawn bower and strimmer etc which works fine, but its not performing too well on this heater and filter pump situation. The whole reel heats up a lot and the thermal switch cuts off every 30 mins or so. I am using an RCD with this as well.

The pool heater is 3Kw and comes with its own RCD attached. I have read that the heater doesnt need to be hard wired because its 3Kw, hence the use of the extension. Obviously, the extension reel is not cutting it.

Are there any idea on what sort of extension cable I should be using to power these 2 devices near my pool? the other thing I was thinking was that it would be good if there can be a waterproof plastic housing for the sockets as its going to be in the garden and is prone to some water now and then.

Any ideas much appreciated.

 

[ImpededLoop]

The best way would be to get an electrician to install some proper external socket outlets where you need them.

Water and electricity can be a dangerous mix which is why there are parts of the electrical regulations dedicated to swimming pools.

 

[alitech]

Thanks noted. Although I do think that my kit doesn't need hard wiring. Are there no extension leads that may do the job?

 

[tazz]

Sounds basic.....but are you uncoiling the whole of the extension lead, or only uncoiling half the reel.....?

 

[alitech]

Half the reel

 

[tazz]

Then there is an inductance in the reel..........you must uncoil the whole extension reel to feed 3kw or it will just melt

 

[alitech]

Ok sure. I will give that a try. Should I be considering a better heavy duty extension though?

 

[tazz]

You should be following basic rules.......any extension reel must be fully unwound on supplying any load

 

[alitech]

Ok fully unwound. Hope it works throughout the night. Will report back.

 

[tazz]

You hope it works....I`m shocked you still have an extension lead left, most would be molten plastic under 3kw load

 

[Richard Burns]

You should also check the rating of your extension lead many of them are only designed to take 10A and have a thinner cable, but the fuses are often replaced with 13A.
At the very least your extension should be rated to 13A and have a 1.5mm² cross sectional area of the wires in the cable.
A dedicated outside socket more than 2.5m away from the pool would be a better idea.

 

[tazz]

Richard what about unwinding the extension lead fully....???

 

[Richard Burns]

Richard what about unwinding the extension lead fully....???

I believe you may have mentioned that earlier!
Obviously that is a requirement and the extension is probably already damaged, but if it is only 0.75mm² flex unwinding it will not help in the long term only the short term.

 

[alitech]

Thanks for helping out guys. Can you guys recommended an extension lead for me please? Hard to find them. Tried most of the keywords on Google

 

[davesparks]

I am familiar with these pool setups having had to repair the aftermath of having them plugged in to a 13A socket.
What it comes down to is that a 3kW load with this load profile is too much for a 13A socket. Plus one was rated 3kW at 230V so actually pulled more than 3kW at our actual voltage of ~250V

 

[overskilled]

Commando / ceeform plug and socket ala caravan? Get a spark out, 2.5mm2 Swa to a 16 a blue IP67 commando socket with plug to match

 

[Richard Burns]

If you are insistent on using a system that is not really suitable for purpose then just buy an extension lead that is rated to 13A and is the right length to easily run from your socket to the pool plug.
Protect the joint in an outside socket box but do not use any other connections /sockets on the run and you may get away with it.
However it would be better to have a suitable dedicated supply for the pool and comply with the wiring regulations as well.

 

[Midwest]

Echo what everyone is telling you here alitech. When you use your extension lead for your lawnmower, it's used under your supervision. What you are contemplating is having a swimming pool wired up via a extension lead, and probably used when you won't be there. With the inherent dangers of water, bare skin, ground earth & electricity. I thing the advice be given here is to disconnect your pool set up from electricity and get in an electrician who has a good working knowledge of swimming pool set ups. Just Google 'electricity in swimming pools' to see that it is not just a simple matter. Its not worth someone getting hurt for the sake of a small amount of money.

 

[marconi]

I have recently bought a 10ft pool with an electric filter and heater. Its an intex brand. I have a garden power reel that I use for the lawn bower and strimmer etc which works fine, but its not performing too well on this heater and filter pump situation. The whole reel heats up a lot and the thermal switch cuts off every 30 mins or so. I am using an RCD with this as well.

The pool heater is 3Kw and comes with its own RCD attached. I have read that the heater doesnt need to be hard wired because its 3Kw, hence the use of the extension. Obviously, the extension reel is not cutting it.

Are there any idea on what sort of extension cable I should be using to power these 2 devices near my pool? the other thing I was thinking was that it would be good if there can be a waterproof plastic housing for the sockets as its going to be in the garden and is prone to some water now and then.

Any ideas much appreciated.

By Marconi Dear Alitech, You do not seem to understand the very good, safe advice you are being given.

I have looked up and read the Intex pool heater manual and the warnings in it - Warnings - Intex HT30220 User Manual [Page 3].

This manual clearly states in the WARNINGS:

1. Have a qualified electrician install a property(sic) grounded receptacle outlet - (this is non-UK terminology by the way)
2. Do not use extension cords.

So, you are behaving recklessly with electricity on two counts ; in seeking to power the pump and filter via a 'heavy duty extension lead' and undertaking, what seems to you simple electrical work without understanding one jot the dangerous consequences - electric shock, electrocution and fire.
You are being foolish. Call in an electrician to do the proper installation of a power supply.

 

[amlu]

use 2.5mm H07 cable, SWA for extension leads is proper rough.
H07RN-F H07 3 Core Rubber Sheathed Mains Cable, Various Sizes, Sold By The Metre | eBay

 

[overskilled]

I was talking a fixed supply (properly cleated and made off) to a commando socket to protect from mechanical damage etc, I was reading it in terms that the pool kit already had supply leads fitted from factory. if not then yes suitable H07RN-F cables

 

[NDG Elecs]

Get some 1mm h07 pond cable and coil it in the water...the water will be hot in no time!!

Actually, dont do the above. It was a joke. 3kW running for long periods on a plug top will get pretty damn warm. A dedicated 16/20 amp supply would be a much better solution.

 

[NDG Elecs]

Plus one was rated 3kW at 230V so actually pulled more than 3kW at our actual voltage of ~250V

Dave, you come across on here as a knowledgeable sort. Got a question re the above.

You are basically saying at 250V it would be pulling 3.25kW. That is 13A × 250V = 3.25.

I was taught to work this out as 3kW ÷ 250V = 12A. 3kW ÷ 240V = 12.5A etc etc.

So you are using the current (13A) as a constant whereas I have used the load (3kW). Just wandering why? And was my teacher siht!!

Thanks

 

[davesparks]

Dave, you come across on here as a knowledgeable sort. Got a question re the above.

You are basically saying at 250V it would be pulling 3.25kW. That is 13A × 250V = 3.25.

I was taught to work this out as 3kW ÷ 250V = 12A. 3kW ÷ 240V = 12.5A etc etc.

So you are using the current (13A) as a constant whereas I have used the load (3kW). Just wandering why? And was my teacher siht!!

Thanks

You'll notice I didn't actually put any value to it, just said that it would draw more than 3kW at 250V. The actual current at 250V will be around 14A if the load is 3kW at 230V

Neither the current nor the power is a constant. The resistance of the load is the constant (for the purpose of this it can be considered constant but in reality it changes with temperature)
So if the power is 3kW at 230V you get a current of 13.04A (P/V) and a resistance of 17.64ohm (V/I)
Therefore at 250V you get a current of 14.17A (V/R) and a power of 3.54kW (I*V)

The confusion comes in when people think that a conventional load has a constant power when it is actually a constant resistance. If you look at the power ratings on things like electric showers you will find the have different rated power at different voltages.

 

[NDG Elecs]

Cheers Dave,

I forgot about resistance being a theoretical constant. I should brush up on the basics occasionally!

 

[wymondhamcables]

I believe I would be breaking the forum rules to direct to a specific company or product but there are people out there who could make exactly want you want.