any electricians in the house?

[pneumothorax]

being a muppet with all things electrical..i've got one of those infrared patio heaters today to get my balcony warm enough on new years eve for some outdoor partying. except it doesnt come with a lead of any sort. i suppose its hoped that anyone wiring it up has a modicum of know how. so i've had a look at the connections and given the colour coding i'm not sure what i'm looking at. the thing has a green and yellow earth wire and then two white wires covered in red plastic.. cant see how one works out which ones live/neutral?
or am i'm being a muppet?

[Murdoc]

It shouldn't matter which way you connect it up as it will just be a bit of nichrome wire as the element. That's why they are the same colour. So pick one to connect the live to and the other neutral.

[Zad]

Go back to the place you bought it and get some instructions?

[Deva Link]

It makes no difference which way round it's connected.

What rating (KW) is it?

[mik.ross]

What is the full load current of this heater? (Amps?) If it is more than 3KW (3000 Watts) you can't just plug it in

[DrTre]

thought things HAD to be sold with plugs now?

[pneumothorax]

thanks all. lamp type 1300w ir tungsten halogen. 230v/240v 50hz 1300w 5.5a.
all greek to me but sounds like it can just be fixed up to a normal plug then?

[Deva Link]

DrTre said:

thought things HAD to be sold with plugs now?

Not if it's intended to be permanently installed and hard wired in, but I (and others) are a little concerned that it might exceed the rating that can be plugged in.

[mik.ross]

pneumothorax said:

thanks all. lamp type 1300w ir tungsten halogen. 230v/240v 50hz 1300w 5.5a.
all greek to me but sounds like it can just be fixed up to a normal plug then?

yep just wire it up to a plug, no probs.

HTH

[RobDickinson]

pneumothorax said:

thanks all. lamp type 1300w ir tungsten halogen. 230v/240v 50hz 1300w 5.5a.
all greek to me but sounds like it can just be fixed up to a normal plug then?

Yep a normal socket will be good for 13a/3000w

If its outside I'd be tempted with an RCD tho.

[Ganglandboss]

Does it have a switch or fuse built into the actual unit?

[Deva Link]

mik.ross said:

pneumothorax said:

thanks all. lamp type 1300w ir tungsten halogen. 230v/240v 50hz 1300w 5.5a.
all greek to me but sounds like it can just be fixed up to a normal plug then?

yep just wire it up to a plug, no probs.

HTH

As you're using it on a balcony (ie a restricted space) then be aware that, at least close up, it will be feriously hot - so, apart from people touching or falling against it etc, make sure the cable supplying it is well out of the way or it'll melt.

[fflyingdog]

Heat resistant 1.5mm 3 core flex should do it,and a RCD would be good idea the type you plug into a 13amp socket for lawn mowers etc.

[pneumothorax]

no the unit doesnt have a switch or a fuse built in to it. just the connecting terminal at the back. thanks for the advice all and for treating me with kid gloves. i'll give the unit a trial run tomorrow night.ps. what fuse will this thing need? i'm going to visit the supplier in the morning anyway for a bit of product support...aka "supply me with a suitable means of powering the electrical device you supplied me with sir".ps i did ask if it came with a lead/plug. and thanks again.

[RobDickinson]

pneumothorax said:

no the unit doesnt have a switch or a fuse built in to it. just the connecting terminal at the back. thanks for the advice all and for treating me with kid gloves. i'll give the unit a trial run tomorrow night.ps. what fuse will this thing need? i'm going to visit the supplier in the morning anyway for a bit of product support...aka "supply me with a suitable means of powering the electrical device you supplied me with sir".ps i did ask if it came with a lead/plug. and thanks again.

Well considering it draws 5.5amps something bigger than 5.5 but less than 13? prolly be ok with a 13.

[Ganglandboss]

pneumothorax said:

no the unit doesnt have a switch or a fuse built in to it. just the connecting terminal at the back. thanks for the advice all and for treating me with kid gloves. i'll give the unit a trial run tomorrow night.ps. what fuse will this thing need? i'm going to visit the supplier in the morning anyway for a bit of product support...aka "supply me with a suitable means of powering the electrical device you supplied me with sir".ps i did ask if it came with a lead/plug. and thanks again.

You'll be ok then whichever way you connect it if that's the case (fuses will do bugger all if connected to the neutral). You will need a 7 amp fuse. Also, as said earlier, if you are using it outdoors, make sure it's fed from an RCD.

Dave - qualified spark.

[Deva Link]

pneumothorax said:

no the unit doesnt have a switch or a fuse built in to it. just the connecting terminal at the back. thanks for the advice all and for treating me with kid gloves. i'll give the unit a trial run tomorrow night.ps. what fuse will this thing need? i'm going to visit the supplier in the morning anyway for a bit of product support...aka "supply me with a suitable means of powering the electrical device you supplied me with sir".ps i did ask if it came with a lead/plug. and thanks again.

Use 1.5sq mm 3 core cable with, ideally, a 10A fuse but 13A would be OK.

You can commonly only get 3, 5, 10, 13Amp fuses for plugs.

Rating wise for the heater, 1sqmm cable would be OK but a 10A fuse is the same rating as 1sqmm cable so that's not a good solution.

Edited by Deva Link on Monday 29th December 22:40

[DrTre]

Deva Link said:

Not if it's intended to be permanently installed and hard wired in, but I (and others) are a little concerned that it might exceed the rating that can be plugged in.

D'oh, of course.

Maketh senseth.

cheers