Alternative Technology Assn Forums

1. 

   macca
   Member

   I am replacing several led downlights with similar units with transformer part of the lights-- 8W - 4000k - 850 lm. The original electrical plug in cord for the light is approximately 1 metre long but is curled up into short loops and then tied as such. Is this safe for it to be looped against itself or should it extended out as one length with no overlap.

   Posted Friday 23 Feb 2018 @ 12:08:01 pm from IP #
2. 

   scott drew
   Member

   Is there anything sitting on top of the coiled up cord?

   Coils with electricity running through them make magnetic fields dont they?

   I would not expect anything to go wrong but is there an issue with stretching it out?

   Posted Saturday 24 Feb 2018 @ 6:33:09 am from IP #
3. 

   Benny
   Member

   Coiled cords are only an issue when there's a lot of current flowing - so the wire gets warm from its small resistance and the heat can't escape, so in danger of melting. Try operating your vacuum cleaner with the cord fully retracted for just a few minutes, then pull the cord out - it will be warm - thats why you should only operate with it fully extended. With a (say) 10W LED I can't see any problem.

   Posted Saturday 24 Feb 2018 @ 12:15:08 pm from IP #
4. 

   macca
   Member

   There is nothing sitting on top of the coiled cord although part of it might be sitting on Earth wool insulation. The lights are 8W LED. As to stretching them out there is no issue. When I pulled the old lights out (which are 10W) their cords were coiled. I would never leave an extension cord coiled when using part of it as it can get hot and that made me wonder as to the LED lead being coiled would it also generate heat. Each light plugs into 240volt supply by plug in the ceiling so the lead which is coiled is 240volt direct from plug to 8W LED light.

   Posted Monday 26 Feb 2018 @ 2:41:16 am from IP #
5. 

   Benny
   Member

   The extension cord gets hot - but with what on the end of it ? How many watts ? If you're running a vacuum cleaner (600W) or power tool etc then the cord might get hot. But with an 8W LED drawing only 30mA a reasonable sized electrical cord won't get warm. Heating power is Isq x R and R will be under 1ohm.

   Posted Monday 26 Feb 2018 @ 9:16:15 am from IP #
6. 

   macca
   Member

   Hi Benny -- the extension lead was running a power tool. I will leave the LED cord coiled up as it is drawing little power. I thank you & Scott for your comments

   Posted Tuesday 27 Feb 2018 @ 10:19:21 am from IP #

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