Tumble dryer melted extension lead

[shaun88]

My tumble dryer broke, an electrician put a new and stronger capacitor in, couple months later I realised that the socket on the extension lead that the tumble dryer was plugged into, had melted a little, does anyone know why this has happened? The only thing I can think of is that because now the capacitor is a stronger one, does the fuse in the plug need to be a higher amp fuse?
Please help
Many thanks

 

[G1ZQC_David]

No. The extension, (which you should not use on such a high power device) will have a bad contact connection, causing heat.
Is it possible to plug the drier in without using any extension.? Or better still get someone to install a dedicated outlet.

 

[Petej999]

My tumble dryer broke, an electrician put a new and stronger capacitor in, couple months later I realised that the socket on the extension lead that the tumble dryer was plugged into, had melted a little, does anyone know why this has happened? The only thing I can think of is that because now the capacitor is a stronger one, does the fuse in the plug need to be a higher amp fuse?
Please help
Many thanks

WaS THE LEAD COILED UP?

 

[DPG]

Probably a poor connection between plug and socket. Possibly made worse by age or quality of the said plugs and sockets.

As above, ideally do not use an extension lead with a high power appliance. I know it's not always a perfect world though.

 

[brianmoooore]

Quick check on ebay sees 2m 4G extension leads being sold for £3.00. I suspect this is the real cause of the problem.
The drier plug that has been plugged into this overheated socket is also suspect, and probably should be replaced.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

There is no such thing as a 'stronger capacitor.' The only thing I can think he meant, was one rated for a higher voltage, which should last longer. If it is of the correct capacitance, which it must be for the motor to work properly, it has no effect on the operation of the dryer or the amount of current it uses.

As above, many extension sockets are of marginal quality. They work just fine with smaller loads but overheat with the heavy, continuous load of a dryer. Indeed, dryer plugs themselves sometimes overheat even when used in good-quality socket outlets. It is unfortunate that many of today's 13A plugs and sockets are not really good enough for 13A.

As @brianmoooore points out, the damage can spread. An overheated socket cooks the plug, which develops high resistance at its fuse contacts, and then cooks the next socket it is plugged into. I agree that it would be sensible to change the plug for a top quality one as a precaution even if it's not actually melted.

 

[brianmoooore]

Had a case a few years ago where the plug of a 3kW heater had damaged a socket, which was subsequentially used to plug in a vacuum cleaner. This had cooked the cleaner plug, which was then used on other sockets around the house, resulting in damage spreading like a virus.

 

[7029 dave]

Had a case a few years ago where the plug of a 3kW heater had damaged a socket, which was subsequentially used to plug in a vacuum cleaner. This had cooked the cleaner plug, which was then used on other sockets around the house, resulting in damage spreading like a virus.

Yup burnt pins on a plug the virus needs to be COR