Can you use an extension lead off another from a single plug?

Hi folks

As a grown man, I should know the answer....

Can you use an extension lead off another from a single plug?

I have a desk set up on the side of room temporarily but no plugs, I have laptop, speakers, tv/monitor, small lamp plugged in.

I want to put my Xbox beside it and use another plug for phone / usb charging.

The extension chord is a big heavy duty one that has a handle to wind it.

As it only has 4 plugs, can I plug in another small extension cord on one of those plugs and then use it to power xbox and usb plug?

Its not a long term solution as I'll be moving places this year, but want to be sure its safe, not a fire hazard etc.

Timfy

It would not really be classed as best practice, but as long as the combined maximum current draw from all the attached devices is less than 13A then it should be fine.

You can buy extension leads with 6, 8 or even 10 sockets quite readily.

Great, thanks. I'll go out and have a look, rather spend a few quid instead of taking the risk.

Bruthal

You should be fine doing what you ask, just dont leave either extension wound at all, completely unwind them. Or plug one of them 4 socket short leads into the fully extended lead.

Risteard81

As well as the risk of overloading a socket with multiple extensions, you will also have an increase in the volt drop.

More importantly it will effect the earth fault loop impedance at the end and therefore might prevent disconnection in the required time in the event of a fault.

It's very poor practice to be honest.

Bruthal

Risteard81 wrote: »

As well as the risk of overloading a socket with multiple extensions, you will also have an increase in the volt drop.

If a plug has a 13 amp fuse, that should protect against too much overloading. Some sockets are not great at the same time though.

More importantly it will effect the earth fault loop impedance at the end and therefore might prevent disconnection in the required time in the event of a fault.

That would apply to any extension lead, lawnmower in garden plugged into one etc. RCDs are for protecting people from electric shocks. As such, will trip with even tiny earth faults.

It's very poor practice to be honest.

Poor practice if becoming the practice instead of proper sockets, fine for a temporary setup plugging in low load devices.

Just ensure the lead is fully uncoiled. Obviously extra sockets is a lot better.

Cheers for the info guys

What about if I use one of those multi plugs and plug just one more device in ?

When you say fully uncoiled, what about one of those bigger round extension leads that you can wind up? Should that be fully wound out ?

Bruthal

Deleted User wrote: »

Cheers for the info guys

What about if I use one of those multi plugs and plug just one more device in ?

When you say fully uncoiled, what about one of those bigger round extension leads that you can wind up? Should that be fully wound out ?

Any extension lead used for anything for extended periods should be wound out fully.

Getting extra sockets installed would be recommended of course, with the extension lead a temporary measure.

Bruthal

Bruthal wrote: »

Any extension lead used for anything for extended periods should be wound out fully.

Getting extra sockets installed would be recommended of course, with the extension lead a temporary measure.

Cool. Thanks. How expensive is it to get sockets installed? It would be at a wall that's between bedrooms...the kind in an apartment, wafer thin stud type walls

Risteard81

Bruthal wrote: »

If a plug has a 13 amp fuse, that should protect against too much overloading. Some sockets are not great at the same time though.

Many multipoint adaptors do not contain a fuse, and are often used in conjunction with extension leads etc.!

And I still maintain that it is poor practice to plug an extension lead into another extension lead. This is not the intended use for which they are designed.

Bruthal

Risteard81 wrote: »

Many multipoint adaptors do not contain a fuse, and are often used in conjunction with extension leads etc.!

The extension lead will have a plug on it. That will have a fuse. It is an extension lead here.

And I still maintain that it is poor practice to plug an extension lead into another extension lead.

No one claimed it was good practice. I'd do it myself no problem though if stuck. In fact I have 2 short 4 way leads plugged into each other behind the TV, for a couple of years now.

This is not the intended use for which they are designed.

I dried out 2 phones last year with a hair dryer. Couldn't find a phone drier.

Risteard81

We also do not know if there is an RCD installed on the socket outlets to help with disconnection times (although it would not help with regards to voltage drop since it will not have any effect on the phase/neutral loop impedance).

Bruthal

Haha only one man I knew had such interest in disconnect times.

Risteard81

Bruthal wrote: »

Haha only one man I knew had such interest in disconnect times.

Unfortunately I have no idea who you are referring to so cannot share in the joke!

Although disconnection times are fundamental to the safety of an electrical installation!

Bruthal

Risteard81 wrote: »

Although disconnection times are fundamental to the safety of an electrical installation!

Perhaps I should do an installation test on the ones behind my TV. But I think I'll be fine.

Timfy

Something like this perhaps

Risteard81

Electrical Safety First website states "Only use one socket extension lead per socket and never plug an extension lead into another extension lead".

As I said, it is very poor practice indeed, and not how an extension lead is intended to be used.

Extension leads are not intended to be used in place of a sufficient number of socket outlets either. So if this is a permanent setup then additional socket outlet(s) are the only answer.

Bruthal

Yea, it says cut the grass with your lawn mower, not the cable.

Endless info there:pac:

Cerco

Risteard81 wrote: »

Extension leads are not intended to be used in place of a sufficient number of socket outlets either. So if this is a permanent setup then additional socket outlet(s) are the only answer.

This is obviously not true. An extension lead has one plug feeding a number of sockets. It may not be an ideal set up or indeed best practice but they can be safely used when uncoiled within their current limit. In the Op's case the stup is intended as temporary and his intended load is well within limit.
Many people use extensions, daisy chained pairs, for convenience feeding TVs, stereos, set top boxes etc. Cables can easily be shortened to reduce voltage drop.
They are also very common in older office environments for PCs,printers faxes etc.

Obviously fixed sockets are preferable but not always available.

Risteard81

Cerco wrote: »

This is obviously not true.

It is true. An electrical installation should be provided with sufficient socket outlets. An extension lead is not intended to negate the need for adequate provision of socket outlets.

myshirt

I would never daisy-loop extension leads... sounds dangerous.

Can I ask, does anyone know if you can plug an extension lead into a RCD adaptor and still use the extension lead safely out in the garden?

Akrasia

Risteard81 wrote: »

Many multipoint adaptors do not contain a fuse, and are often used in conjunction with extension leads etc.!

And I still maintain that it is poor practice to plug an extension lead into another extension lead. This is not the intended use for which they are designed.

everything with a standard plug should have a fuse. Where do you buy your adapters, the 2 euro shop?

Risteard81

Akrasia wrote: »

everything with a standard plug should have a fuse. Where do you buy your adapters, the 2 euro shop?

Multipoint adaptors are unfused.

I think you might find many plugs are unfused, e.g. if they are connected to a switched-mode power supply.

Akrasia

Cerco wrote: »

This is obviously not true. An extension lead has one plug feeding a number of sockets. It may not be an ideal set up or indeed best practice but they can be safely used when uncoiled within their current limit. In the Op's case the stup is intended as temporary and his intended load is well within limit.
Many people use extensions, daisy chained pairs, for convenience feeding TVs, stereos, set top boxes etc. Cables can easily be shortened to reduce voltage drop.
They are also very common in older office environments for PCs,printers faxes etc.

Obviously fixed sockets are preferable but not always available.

You must be the only house in ireland with 8 plug sockets wired beside the tv stand in your living room.

Everyone uses extension leads in busy parts of the house. I don't see the issue in 99.999% of cases. Unless you're using them with damaged leads or around water, then having the wires attached to extension leads or behind a bit of drywall makes no difference.

Akrasia

Risteard81 wrote: »

Multipoint adaptors are unfused.

I think you might find many plugs are unfused, e.g. if they are connected to a switched-mode power supply.

I've just checked 4 different extension leads in my house and all of them have had fuses in their plugs.

Risteard81

Akrasia wrote: »

I've just checked 4 different extension leads in my house and all of them have had fuses in their plugs.

I didn't say that extension leads were unfused.

Bruthal

Risteard81 wrote: »

I didn't say that extension leads were unfused.

OK then tell us what the function of the fuse in the extension lead plug top is?

Bruthal

myshirt wrote: »

I would never daisy-loop extension leads... sounds dangerous.

Does it?

Can I ask, does anyone know if you can plug an extension lead into a RCD adaptor and still use the extension lead safely out in the garden?

There should be an rcd in the mcb board. Another plug in one is pointless if the board has one.

Bruthal

Akrasia wrote: »

You must be the only house in ireland with 8 plug sockets wired beside the tv stand in your living room.

Everyone uses extension leads in busy parts of the house. I don't see the issue in 99.999% of cases. Unless you're using them with damaged leads or around water, then having the wires attached to extension leads or behind a bit of drywall makes no difference.

The poster you quoted is agreeing with your point really. Quoted wrong one?

Cerco

Akrasia wrote: »

You must be the only house in ireland with 8 plug sockets wired beside the tv stand in your living room.

Everyone uses extension leads in busy parts of the house. I don't see the issue in 99.999% of cases. Unless you're using them with damaged leads or around water, then having the wires attached to extension leads or behind a bit of drywall makes no difference.

I think you quoted the wrong post or misread it.;)

Cerco

Risteard81 wrote: »

It is true. An electrical installation should be provided with sufficient socket outlets. An extension lead is not intended to negate the need for adequate provision of socket outlets.

If it is true then please explain the design purpose of multi socket extension leads.

Bruthal

Cerco wrote: »

If it is true then please explain the design purpose of multi socket extension leads.

And the function of the fuse in the extension lead plug.

dolittle

lads, how has this subject gone on for 3 pages?
calm done i think the original poster has had his question answered by now

Risteard81

Cerco wrote: »

If it is true then please explain the design purpose of multi socket extension leads.

They are designed as a means of extending the reach of appliances as a temporary measure. They are not designed as a means of extending the reach of an appliance permanently, nor are they intended to be used in conjunction with other extension leads. Instead the correct length of extension lead should be used or connected to a more suitable socket outlet.

Risteard81

Bruthal wrote: »

And the function of the fuse in the extension lead plug.

The fuse obviously is to limit the current which can be drawn through the connected sockets. This does not mean that it is permissible to connect an extension lead into another extension lead. Nor does it mean that they should be used with multiway adaptors.

Incidentally, do you know what current a double 13A socket is designed to take safely? (To help you on your way I will tell you that it is NOT 26A.)

Bruthal

Risteard81 wrote: »

The fuse obviously is to limit the current which can be drawn through the connected sockets. This does not mean that it is permissible to connect an extension lead into another extension lead. Nor does it mean that they should be used with multiway adaptors.

So the leads are protected from overload at their plug. That's handy, isn't it?

Incidentally, do you know what current a double 13A socket is designed to take safely? (To help you on your way I will tell you that it is NOT 26A.)

Any general knowledge ones?

Bruthal

dolittle wrote: »

lads, how has this subject gone on for 3 pages?
calm done i think the original poster has had his question answered by now

Amusement.

Cerco

dolittle wrote: »

lads, how has this subject gone on for 3 pages?
calm done i think the original poster has had his question answered by now

This is an extended thread because it is all about extensions!

You are right, the Op's query has already been answered. It is now becoming a quiz.

Risteard81

Bruthal wrote: »

So the leads are protected from overload at their plug. That's handy, isn't it?

But the socket may be overloaded if multiple extensions are connected to it. There is also a potential issue RE earth fault loop impedance with multiple extension leads connected together (we do not know whether there is RCD protection on the sockets, or whether the test button has been operated regularly to prevent "stiction"). And even if earth fault loop impedance is not an issue there is a potential voltage drop issue.

So you have spectacularly failed to understand the potential issues.

2011

Now back to the OP:

Deleted User wrote: »

Can you use an extension lead off another from a single plug?

On the basis that the wiring in your installation is up to scratch and on the basis that the loads you have described below are small I would not be concerned if it were my office.

I have a desk set up on the side of room temporarily but no plugs, I have laptop, speakers, tv/monitor, small lamp plugged in.

I want to put my Xbox beside it and use another plug for phone / usb charging.

Yup, even the total load here is very small.

The extension chord is a big heavy duty one that has a handle to wind it.

Even better, as already advised uncoil the lead completely.

As it only has 4 plugs, can I plug in another small extension cord on one of those plugs and then use it to power xbox and usb plug?

This is such a tiny load it will not be an issue.

Its not a long term solution as I'll be moving places this year, but want to be sure its safe, not a fire hazard etc.

Extension leads are ideal for short term solutions.

Risteard81 wrote: »

But the socket may be overloaded if multiple extensions are connected to it.

Highly unlikely with the tiny loads described above.

There is also a potential issue RE earth fault loop impedance with multiple extension leads connected together (we do not know whether there is RCD protection on the sockets, or whether the test button has been operated regularly to prevent "stiction").

If earth fault loop impedance was a concern a smaller fuse size could be installed in the plug although this is very unlikely. Extension leads will not contribute to stiction.

And even if earth fault loop impedance is not an issue there is a potential voltage drop issue.

Volt drop is a function of the current drawn. In this case the current is very small so the chances of excessive volt drop is very remote.

So you have spectacularly failed to understand the potential issues.

Nothing wrong with disagreeing / good debate but please do not let it get personal as it detracts from a good discussion. Thanks.

Bruthal

Risteard81 wrote: »

But the socket may be overloaded if multiple extensions are connected to it. There is also a potential issue RE earth fault loop impedance with multiple extension leads connected together (we do not know whether there is RCD protection on the sockets, or whether the test button has been operated regularly to prevent "stiction"). And even if earth fault loop impedance is not an issue there is a potential voltage drop issue.

So you have spectacularly failed to understand the potential issues.

Another read of the original post might help eliminate the multiple imaginary scenarios you have grasped at.


Have a nice day.

2011

Please stay on topic, and be nice

Thank you

Risteard81

2011 wrote: »

Extension leads will not contribute to stiction.

I wasn't suggesting that they would. My point is that an RCD without the test button operated at regular intervals can suffer from stiction, and therefore be unfit for purpose of providing additional (or supplementary) protection.

2011

Risteard81 wrote: »

I wasn't suggesting that they would. My point is that an RCD without the test button operated at regular intervals can suffer from stiction, and therefore be unfit for purpose of providing additional (or supplementary) protection.

Agreed, but that is nothing to do with the OP's question and can lead to confusion the issue for someone non-technical.

monseiur

Firstly I'm not an electrician but I'm following this discussion with interest.
Generally (not always) when an electrician is asked to fit extra sockets in a room just like the OP's situation, the normal practice is to loop the cable from the existing socket.
So, apart from the obvious dangers i.e. tripping over the extension lead etc. etc., provided the extension lead has the required size twin & earth cable etc. with good quality plug top etc. ....from the point of view of providing power for computers, phone chargers etc. what's the big deal re. overloading etc., in getting power supply from an extension lead or from an extra socket which is supplied by the existing socket apart from the fact that with the extra socket the cable is running perhaps across the attic and down in conduit with both obviously out of sight ?
Surely appliances that would overload the extension lead socket would / could overload the extra socket if looped from original socket ?
Just wondering !!

M.