Tumble drier plug partially melted…

Annoyingly, if there wasn’t a wall unit in the way, the mains cable would reach (it currently has to wrap around the side and bottom of the unit.

I don’t believe I’m suggesting this but, could you go through the unit? That’s what mine does, I have washer | cupboard | dryer, the plug socket is at the back of the cupboard and there’s a hole in both side walls to pass the cables through. They’re blanked off with the cable management covers you get on the tops of desks. If I’m underestimating your DIY skills, you’d only need a small hole now that there’s no plug.

Are you sure that the tumble drier is functioning normally? It’s probable that poor contact to a cheap extension lead caused your issue. But also possible that the machine has an intermittent fault.

so the cables too short to barely reach the length of the the machine.

but the socket that it would need would be over a sink…..

how on earth is this tumble drier in a safe space with regards to the sink ?

but the socket that it would need would be over a sink…..

how on earth is this tumble drier in a safe space with regards to the sink ?

Because the extension lead is routed away from the sink. It’s pretty normal to have electrical items next to sinks (see also dishwashers). Both my under-sink cupboards have power outlets in them for just this reason.

https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/5172255-16a-in-line-3-pole-cable-connector-ip68-black?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADOkMAbHLiC_r7ptzZE6RrOgL6rRA&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrYz1vtX5iQMVS5FQBh235B4FEAQYASABEgLrovD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.did

If you must extend a 240v flex, go for something like the above.

The plate for my drier and washer is 6 foot up the wall above/behind the washer and drier. Cables all in a nice sturdy conduit.

A conduit that basically runs under the sink, through two units, past the central heating and into the distribution/fuse box.

Does a socket not only have to be 300mm from a kitchen/utility sink? Given dryer will be 600mm how is it impossible to put a socket behind the dryer in a position that conforms to the rules?  It may just be we aren’t understanding the room layout.

This thing about not using extension leads for appliances. Does that include dishwashers? Asking for a friend.

Have a look at the current draw/ power requirements. Probably similar to most tumble driers, but not a heat pump tumble drier which will be lower. So best not to use an extension for a dishwasher and get a dedicated socket so you can use the provided short lead.

Extension leads are only really suitable for a temporary fix, and even then they’re not suitable for all appliances, certainly not for high-load (3kW) devices, ie those that have a resistive heating element. The whole point of Table H7 in the BS7671 On-Site Guide is to recommend enough sockets in specific rooms to ensure extension leads are not used. If they are used long-term it’s an indication that the wiring infrastructure is unsuitable, and should be adapted to suit. It will not be difficult, and shouldn’t be too expensive, to adapt the wiring to provide an additional socket that is suitable for a permanent connection for the TD and will give you peace of mind that it won’t fail, but you do need to have the work done by a reputable tradesperson.

If you’re looking to have an electrician in to do the work it may be worth asking them to fit AFDDs too.

Does that include dishwashers?

Yes.

IAAE

What if a tumble drier is situated in a bathroom less than 3 metres across?

I’m waiting for the first poster to proclaim they’ve wired their washing machine to the house via an isolator because they no longer trust plugs or sockets.

Have a look at the current draw/power requirements

This is really the killer, anything continually pulling over about 75% of your maximum load on a circuit would be unsuitable for using an extension on, and the higher the load/longer the extension the greater the risk.

I’m even in the process of rewiring a couple of sockets all the way back to the fuse box to make doubly sure that they will withstand 16A continuous. (They already should, technically, but it’s 30 year old wiring).

What if a tumble drier is situated in a bathroom less than 3 metres across?

pretty sure UK regs don’t allow a socket within 3m of a shower or bath.  Not sure if you can permanently wire an appliance in a bathroom as I have seen some washing machines – but of course not everyone sticks to the regs.

Not sure if you can permanently wire an appliance in a bathroom as I have seen some washing machines

You could in previous editions of the regs so it’s quite likely that you’ve seen legal installations

We’re now on the 18th Edition and I’m no longer up to date

On the photo of the plug it clearly says “fused” .  That’s just to avoid the swear filter on here.

I’ve opened a few extension leads to replace the cord. Some of them are shocking, bent bits of thin steel clipped down the body making questionable contact with the pins. Dump the extension and just put a longer cable on the dryer, and use a decent heavy rubber cord for 13a

So I ended up going to my local electrical trade-counter and asked their advice – I got one of these – rated for a 20amp load, a decent plug and a short length of twin and earth all for £5.11, wired it up last night and all seems fine. This time I have pinned it up to the underside of the wall units that are sited above so it is well out of the way.

What if a tumble drier is situated in a bathroom less than 3 metres across?

In a bathroom??? ………is it placed next to the toaster and kettle as well?

Huh? Why not? There is no external wall in my kitchen so nowhere to put the vent hose.

Lucky escape for sure OP. Went to a dryer fire near to you last night and they were not so lucky and probably won’t be spending Christmas at home this year.

Huh? Why not? There is no external wall in my kitchen so nowhere to put the vent hose.

Plenty vent free options. Has been for 15 years.

Zone rating isn’t optional just because it’s inconvenient for you.