Extension lead

W

wilksiee

Well-Known Member
Does anybody recommend a good quality extra safe extension lead?
Ok m planning to run 2 x 600w hps lights, 2 fans, filter on an extension lead but I would like to spend the money and have the confidence in a extra safe good quality lead, if such thing exists, any recommendations in the UK?
 
jondamon

jondamon

Well-Known Member
wilksiee said:
Does anybody recommend a good quality extra safe extension lead?
Ok m planning to run 2 x 600w hps lights, 2 fans, filter on an extension lead but I would like to spend the money and have the confidence in a extra safe good quality lead, if such thing exists, any recommendations in the UK?
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You should run your fans on constant and they should be fine on the extension lead.

your lights should be on a horticultural lighting contactor which should be plugged directly into a double socket.

the contactor will have a plug with MAINS on it and a plug with TIMER on it.

You use a timer in the electrical socket and plug the TIMER plug on the contactor into the timer and the other plug into the other electrical socket.

they should NOT be plugged into an extension lead.


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OldMedUser

OldMedUser

Well-Known Member
You should be able to buy a heavy gauge lead but would still be putting a heavy load on a single line in the wall so I'd probably play safe and do as @jondamon suggests.

I'm in Canada and our standard wall plugs use 120v and 14-2 wire with a 15amp breaker and you guys use 240V don't you? If it's 12-2 or 3 wire on a 20amp breaker you would be OK with a matching lead for over 1500W which is about the most I can run safely on one circuit here. I run 2 - 600s, exhaust fan and oscillating fan off one line no problem. Exhaust is 120w at max and the oscillating fan runs 25 - 60w depending on speed. Haven't flipped a breaker in 18 years.

:peace:
 
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jondamon

jondamon

Well-Known Member
OldMedUser said:
You should be able to buy a heavy gauge lead but would still be putting a heavy load on a single line in the wall so I'd probably play safe and do as @jondamon suggests.

I'm in Canada and our standard wall plugs use 120v and 14-2 wire with a 15amp breaker and you guys use 240V don't you? If it's 12-2 or 3 wire on a 20amp breaker you would be OK with a matching lead for over 1500W which is about the most I can run safely on one circuit here. I run 2 - 600s, exhaust fan and oscillating fan off one line no problem. Exhaust is 120w at max and the oscillating fan runs 25 - 60w depending on speed. Haven't flipped a breaker in 18 years.

:peace:
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In the U.K. extension leads don’t even come with wire gauges detailed on them.

so there’s no way of actually knowing lol.
 
cobshopgrow

cobshopgrow

Well-Known Member
your U.K connectors are quite beefy stuff.
there are extension leads with extra fuses included.
you could opt for this for some extra safety.
i do use one with a 10A fuse to power one setup.
 
OldMedUser

OldMedUser

Well-Known Member
jondamon said:
In the U.K. extension leads don’t even come with wire gauges detailed on them.

so there’s no way of actually knowing lol.
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You gotta be kidding? We call them extension cords here and they have to have the CSA stamp, type of wire, gauge and number of conductors. The green ground wire doesn't count so a 14 - 2 has a white, black and green which is the ground wire.

I like to go buy the gauge I want then wire my own ends on. I used 240V wire that has an extra hot lead to run a line into the grow room then split the hots to two duplex plugs and let them share the neutral wire. I use one side for the lights and the other for fans etc so the lights have their own 15amp circuit instead of all on one. I know just enough electrics to be dangerous. :D Not rocket science and I bought the book 1st year students use to become electricians to make sure I do everything to code. Legally you can wire up your own house if you're building one and just have an inspector sign off on it here in Alberta. Write your own will too but must be completely written in your own hand. No witnesses required. Even get a permit to marry people but can't charge for it. As a minister of the Universal Life Church since 1978 but not allowed to do that I found a loophole. Lots of ways to save money if you're handy. :)

:peace:
 
speedwell68

speedwell68

Well-Known Member
I use the Status brand of extension leads. They are more than good enough, never had an issue. I will happily run welding gear on them. As a rule any extension lead sold by a reputable supplier will be fine.
 
jondamon

jondamon

Well-Known Member
speedwell68 said:
I use the Status brand of extension leads. They are more than good enough, never had an issue. I will happily run welding gear on them. As a rule any extension lead sold by a reputable supplier will be fine.
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So by this you are using an extension lead with let’s say 4 sockets on it and utilising 2 of those sockets for your contactor?
 
jondamon

jondamon

Well-Known Member
speedwell68 said:
I don't use timers. I use Sonoff Smart Switches and Google Assistant.
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Ah right. Tbh I’d never even heard of them until you said. I don’t often replace equipment unless it’s broken or dead.

I’m a bit old school and the contactor I use is around 9 years old.

if it ain’t broke lol.
 
speedwell68

speedwell68

Well-Known Member
jondamon said:
Ah right. Tbh I’d never even heard of them until you said. I don’t often replace equipment unless it’s broken or dead.

I’m a bit old school and the contactor I use is around 9 years old.

if it ain’t broke lol.
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They are a truly awesome device. I can add a Zigbee hub and control fans based on temperature and humidity. I can also be anywhere in the world and as long as I have an internet connection I can control any device in my grow space.
 
Nizza

Nizza

Well-Known Member
speedwell68 said:
They are a truly awesome device. I can add a Zigbee hub and control fans based on temperature and humidity. I can also be anywhere in the world and as long as I have an internet connection I can control any device in my grow space.
Click to expand...
Be careful using temp and humidity to control fans you may overlook co2 . The better option is venting into a controlled area where you can keep temp and humidity constant. Some people call it a lung room . Ever since having a co2 meter alot more has made sense to me with ventilation and environmental controls
 
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