Re: smart plugs???

On 2025-01-18, Lars Poulsen <lars@cleo.beagle-ears.com> wrote:

On Fri, 17 Jan 2025 16:48:03 +0000, Mike Scott wrote:

... I'm looking at probably 3kW at 240V to run a heater.
 
The power level is just a bit outside my comfort zone for home
construction ...

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On 2025-01-18, Lawrence D'Oliveiro <ldo@nz.invalid> wrote:

I should say it is. It’s well beyond the rating for a typical household
outlet. Whatever it is, I imagine you’re going to need professional
electrician help to set it up.

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If I remember correctly,
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US home outlets are 120V 15A. So 1800W max.
EU home outlets are 230V 10A, so 2300W max.
UK home outlets are 230V 27A, so 6.2kW max.

Arrgh ... I did NOT remember correctly. While the fuse on the panel in
UK is 27A, the plugs are fused for max 13A, i.e. 3.0kW.

This is why electric tea kettles work so well in the UK.
And if I remember, there is a fuse in the PLUG, so an appliance can
have a cord with a smaller fuse if it doesn't need the full power.

Yet, 3kW is a great tea kettle.

This is why the UK plugs are so massively huge.

Actually, this correction makes it make less sense.

But even in the US, a 20A outlet is not unusual. It does require a
heavier wire gauge in the walls. And 240V with amperages from 10A
to 50A is common for washing machines, laundry dryers, electric
stoves and EV chargers. Unfortunately, the plugs allowed for them
are a motley collection of incompatible versions. I wish they would
allow the EU Schuko for 10A, and the UK socket for up to 30A.
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