Do I need to be a qualified electrician to make DIY extension lead?

[HandySparks]

Remember the PAT testing rule that the maximum length of an extension lead before it needs it’s own RCD is dependent on the cable size used Eg. 1mm cable cores can only be 10 meters long, 1.5mm can be a max of 15 meters and 2.5mm can be a max of 25 meters (core size times 10) and many longer leads purchased will fail the PAT test the moment they are purchased.

Are you saying that extension leads longer than a particular length need to have a permanently connected RCD plug? Is this in the IET ISITEE Code of Practice Book?

 

[Davisonp]

Are you saying that extension leads longer than a particular length need to have a permanently connected RCD plug? Is this in the IET ISITEE Code of Practice Book?

The length of a site-manufactured extension lead should not exceed that given in the table on the right, unless it is protected by an RCD.

Maximum lengths of an extension lead

csa of the cores (mm2)
1.25 1.5 2.5
Maximum length (m)
12 15 25
(IET 140)

IET. Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment, 4th Edition. Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET), 11/2012. VitalBook file.

 

[Rpa07]

25 meters is a long lead - it could get up to all sorts of mischief unless RCD protected.

 

[HandySparks]

The length of a site-manufactured extension lead should not exceed that given in the table on the right, unless it is protected by an RCD.

Maximum lengths of an extension lead

csa of the cores (mm2)
1.25 1.5 2.5
Maximum length (m)
12 15 25
(IET 140)

IET. Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment, 4th Edition. Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET), 11/2012. VitalBook file.

OK, thanks, that's a bit of the book that I didn't remember.
However, it doesn't require the RCD protection to be integral with the cable assembly. So if a non-RCD extension lead is being used in a location where all socket outlets are RCD protected, I would say that it complies.

 

[paul291277]

I think this is outside of BS7671 as it is not part of the installation; as long as a suitable flex is protected by a 13a fuse, what's the issue?

 

[paul291277]

To original OP, you can manufacture whatever you want to plug into a socket without needing qualifications, be it a 20m extension lead, a metal fork or your tongue, but as long as a suitable flex is protected by a 13a fuse at the plug, you're okay

 

[Davisonp]

To original OP, you can manufacture whatever you want to plug into a socket without needing qualifications, be it a 20m extension lead, a metal fork or your tongue, but as long as a suitable flex is protected by a 13a fuse at the plug, you're okay

Except that in an office the Electricity at work act (the law) requires the portable appliances must be “Maintained”, usually PAT tested.

 

[PEG]

Unless...this is a cunning variation on the theme of "...how do i wire a supply to my office,it is 40 meters from the house..."

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Except that in an office the Electricity at work act (the law) requires the portable appliances must be “Maintained”, usually PAT tested.

I may stand corrected but I believe above legislation applies to employers. If the 'office' is a one man home office then would the EAW act apply?

 

[richy3333]

Is it just me or do the questions on this forum just get more weird? I thought every question possible had been asked, clearly not!

Is the OP a wet pants?!

 

[Deleted member 72666]

Maybe the op wants a reason to fail a customer's extension lead on the grounds that it's 'diy' and is looking for a specific reg to back it up, I could be wrong but that's how it looks to me.

 

[DPG]

The OP wants to make his own extension cable and wanted to know if he needed to be qualified. He doesn't. I think he's gone anyway.

 

[telectrix]

The OP wants to make his own extension cable and wanted to know if he needed to be qualified. He doesn't. I think he's gone anyway.

he's gone to buy 20m of bell wire.

 

[Taylortwocities]

@Sam0204 could you expand on the use for this lead?

Is this to provide power from the house to the office that is 20metres away down the garden, maybe?

 

[Dave OCD]

Having read all this I'm scared to use my 2.5mm /50m long extension lead now. Will I be arrested ?

 

[Rpa07]

"Spark arrested" I can see the headlines now!

Having read all this I'm scared to use my 2.5mm /50m long extension lead now. Will I be arrested ?

 

[Dave OCD]

And thinking about it the 2.5 flex is very neatly terminated in the 13a rubber plug - so it can be done !

 

[Des 56]

Having read all this I'm scared to use my 2.5mm /50m long extension lead now. Will I be arrested ?

Maybe just a caution if you take care to leave a couple of turns on the drum

 

[Dave OCD]

Can't do that, it'll get hot !

 

[D00DY_T00DY]

25 meters is a long lead - it could get up to all sorts of mischief unless RCD protected.

So I now have an image of a 25m extension loitering around shops and causing trouble.