Log in

View Full Version : Electrical questions and answers free


uk30000
Nov 4, 2012, 06:51 AM
Hi
I have fixed a lcd TV to the wall and the lead does not reach the electrical point.
I want to make an extension lead as thin as possible to go through trunking along with the aerial lead. The TV lead is 2 core wire with a 13 amp fuse in the plug.
My questions are: I have seen 2 core wire in 3 amp and 6 amp, which do I need? Do I put another 13 amp fuse in the plug and does it matter about the blue and brown colouring of the inner core wiring?

shuntripper
Nov 4, 2012, 07:14 AM
You want an extension cord

Go to lowe's or some such place, get some "zip cord" basically 2 conductor wire, not smaller than 14 gauge, 12 is better.

Use the cord ends for lamps like these

Flat Connector # SA155B by Cooper Wiring Devices (http://electrical.hardwarestore.com/12-34-cord-ends-female-110v/flat-connector-230870.aspx#1)

Lamp Cord Plug # BP2601W-SP by Cooper Wiring Devices (http://electrical.hardwarestore.com/12-34-cord-ends-male-110v/lamp-cord-plug-230284.aspx#1)

Wire color matters in your cord, figure out which one is hot and which one is neutral. Hot is connected through the fuse so open the fuseholder and test continuity to the plug (hot is the smaller blade, the one on the right in the receptacle if the round ground hole is on the bottom, the bigger neutral one is on the left)

stanfortyman
Nov 4, 2012, 07:41 AM
It should be noted that the OP is in the UK, or some place close to it.

shuntripper
Nov 4, 2012, 07:47 AM
It should be noted that the OP is in the UK, or some place close to it.

Ew... concept is the same I guess

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3FnpaWQJO0

uk30000
Nov 4, 2012, 11:37 AM
Thanks for the above.
I guess that this site is predominantly American users. I'm British. May be slightly different terminology.

uk30000
Nov 4, 2012, 11:39 AM
Are you saying that lamp cable is good for LCD tvs?

Kyle_in_rure
Nov 4, 2012, 02:26 PM
I would look at the sticker on your TV and see what wattage/amperage it uses, then decide on the size of the cable based on the watts/amps your TV uses. The fuse you put in the plug should correspond with the fuse rating for whatever size cable you use.

Not sure what you mean by "does it matter about the blue and brown colouring of the inner core wiring?". I can tell you that brown is live and blue is neutral, and that brown connects to brown, and blue connects to blue.

Bear with us on the American/British differences.
By the way, if you need to convert watts to amps, you divide the watts by voltage.
For example, in the UK: 690 watts/230volts equals 3 amps.

Hope this helps.

shuntripper
Nov 4, 2012, 02:33 PM
Wire is wire
In America it's wise to assume copper is the conductor material if material is unspecified

That leaves size and insulation as the distinguishing characteristics, "lamp cord" commonly called "zip cord" here, means a two conductor cable

Zip-cord - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zip-cord)

The insulation is light duty as far as abrasion and cut resistant, suitable for what you described

The TV won't know or care if it's Lamp cord

uk30000
Nov 4, 2012, 03:26 PM
The reason I asked about the colouring is that it does not matter which way around the connection goes into the TV which seems a bit strange to me.
Interesting about the formula.
I thought zip cord was an American address.
Thanks for the help

shuntripper
Nov 4, 2012, 03:29 PM
The reason I asked about the colouring is that it does not matter which way around the connection goes into the tv which seems a bit strange to me.
Interesting about the formula.
I thought zip cord was an American address.
Thanks for the help

Zip cord not zip code

stanfortyman
Nov 4, 2012, 04:31 PM
wire is wireNot at all.

There are vast differences between the US and the UK as far as sizing and color.

shuntripper
Nov 4, 2012, 04:43 PM
Not at all.

There are vast differences between the US and the UK as far as sizing and color.

(sigh) I believe my posts addressed those issues? Point is electricity passes through it the same way all over the world.

And color means NOTHING when hooked up wrong doesn't it? (not a question)

I'm sure that OP is not an idiot and gets the point that appropriate size and insulation are critical.
He posted this;
I guess that this site is predominantly American users. I'm British. May be slightly different terminology.