Changing the Fuse to a different Amp amount in an extension lead...

spacebeetle · Post by **spacebeetle** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 12:21 am

Hello Folks,

I hope this message finds everybody well. I am quite a novice when it comes to Electrics, so please bear with me!

I have recently set up a large Wardrobe containing 4 x 36w T8 Fluorescent Tubes, which I use to dry Varnish on musical instruments (I am a Luthier). I am just about to wire plugs onto each of the 4 Battens. As each tube is only 36w, I changed the Fuses in the plugs from 13 amps to 3 amps.

In regards to the 3 core flex cable I'm thinking of using, would a 0.75mm Flex cable (rated 6 amps) be OK, or would 0.5mm Flex cable (rated 3 amps) be the best in this case?

I then want all of 4 plugs go into a Masterplug SWSRG4210N 4-way plug extension lead (I only have 2 sockets in my wall).
This has a 13 amp fuse. Would it be a good idea to change the fuse on this extension lead to a 3 Amp fuse, so that it is in line with all of the plugs going into it?
All of the lights combined require only 0.6 Amps.
I'm worried that this 13 Amp fuse on the extension lead could be bad for this set up...

I would really appreciate any advice on this!

Thank you for reading.

Neelix · Post by **Neelix** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 6:53 am

Either cable is fine AS LONG as the plug for the lights has a 3A fuse in it. The fuse in the extension lead plug is largely irrelevant as long as its the one that was fitted to it when it was bought

wine~o · Post by **wine~o** » Wed Oct 26, 2022 4:20 pm

Just to clarify, the fuse is there to protect the cable not the appliance (in this case lights) keep the same fuse in the extension lead.

spacebeetle · Post by **spacebeetle** » Thu Oct 27, 2022 1:23 am

Thank you both for your kind responses. I'll leave the Extension cable as it is.

Does it really not matter to use a 0.75m flex that is rated for 6 amps on a 3 amp fuse?

Would it make any difference getting a 0.5mm flex instead, as I have read that is more appropriate for a 3 amp fuse...?

Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thank you

ericmark · Post by **ericmark** » Thu Oct 27, 2022 2:55 am

spacebeetle wrote: ↑Thu Oct 27, 2022 1:23 am Does it really not matter to use a 0.75m flex that is rated for 6 amps on a 3 amp fuse?

No problem as long as flex rated over the fuse it is OK.