Fuse blown

[Devon]

So I'm just on the test stage of running my still. I have two 2.5kw elements and trying to heat up about 80l of wash. I'm running 240v here in the uk through a 13amp socket and the fuse has blown and the kettle cable has got really hot. Any suggestions to why? And how to get round it?

[pfshine]

Yes. You are pulling almost 21 amps. What size is your cable. Either way stop. Don't run it again until you gain more knowledge and fix it. Lucky you didn't set your house on fire.

[skow69]

Yeah. Unplug one of the elements. They are drawing 10 amps each.

And get some help from an electrician.

[Devon]

It's odd because this is exactly the same set up that's alright to be used on my brewery side and have had the electrician in my family tell me that it was ok. The supplier of the elements said what it would draw. But thanks guys and don't worry I'm not one of those people who has a problem with something and just keeps going without figuring out what's wrong and fixing it. I will go back and see what needs adjusting as I'm renting so I'm rather limited in what I can do I think

[pfshine]

5000watts ÷ 240 volts= 20.833 amps. If they were each on their own line and their own breaker it would be fine. Each element pulls 10.42 amps which is in the upper limit of the breakers rating. How do you have it set up now? Do you have one on a controller?

[pfshine]

There are ways and tools to find what sockets go to which breaker. Or just make or buy a heavy duty rated for 30 amps extension cord to go to your dryer or stove if they are electric. You should have some rated outlets somewhere.

[Devon]

I have it set up where there's one feed that gets split to two controllers and then onwards to their own element. I only really need two just to get to temp and then was going to shut one off. Annoying the cooker socket is in the kitchen and I was trying to run to the conservatory at the back of the house. I will have to have a think and see if I can get the cabling upgraded on the sly.

[rad14701]

Run controller from two different circuits and you should be fine... You have two controllers so just make sure each on is powered by a separate breaker/fuse...

[Devon]

So I have an idea to tap into the cooker power socket. My cooker is set up using an isolator switch and then a socket on the end that it plugs into.

I'm thinking that if i get a plug and then a small length of appropriate cable and then fit one of the blue sockets (not sure what it's name is) and then from there have a 32amp extension cable to the boiler.

[Swedish Pride]

thats what I did, get in to the cooker supply and you should have 30A, I've done several runs like that.
The lead and plug stays hidden behind the kickboard on the kitchen unit when not in use.