[stuie]

Gday all
Had an electrical glasshouse heater melt both the positive and negative terminal plastic.
Obviously something major happened here!
It is a 10amp male plug and was plugged into an extension cord.
Should it have been a 15 amp plug or is there something else that caused it to do this?
Havent used it since and will get it looked at by an electrician if it is fixable otherwise its rubbish as its an older model.
Any thoughts appreciated.
GEM Glasshouse heater
240V
50HZ
8.5amps (Thats why i assume 10 amp plug was enough for a factory install)
3 pin plug with earth (Australian)
Thanks
Stuart
Sydney Australia

 

[rgsgww]

It seems to me that the extension cord was the culprit. I would avoid using this unit with an extension cord! Most heaters state not to be used with extension cords. If you must use one, use a large gauge, in your case, over 10 amps.


Whats the extension cord rated?

 

[stuie]

I am pretty sure it would be a 10amp extension cord.
Would a new longer power cord from the unit be the best bet?
It would need to be about 8ft as that is the closest output.
May need to get a new outlet installed closer to the unit.
Thanks for the reply!

 

[rgsgww]

Whats the circuits amp rating? I would use a power cord oversized to the circuits rating.

 

[Yoyizit]

Had an electrical glasshouse heater melt both the positive and negative terminal plastic.

High contact impedance with the connection it mated to. . .?
Plug and socket should be somewhat hard to pull apart.

 

[theatretch85]

Basically a loose connection will cause meltdown of the plug/contacts in the right (or wrong) situations. Make sure you have a solid and firm connection, replace the plug end on the heater and if possible, put a longer cord on the heater. Make sure if you put a longer cord on that it is at least as big as the one you take off.

 

[J. V.]

High contact impedance with the connection it mated to. . .?
Plug and socket should be somewhat hard to pull apart.

Excellent and correct. :thumbsup: Sounds like a bad connection to me.

 

[stuie]

Excellent and correct. :thumbsup: Sounds like a bad connection to me.

Thanks for all the advice!
Looks like i will have a new longer over-rated cord put on it.
Failing that i will buy a new heater!

Thanks again!