Author Topic: 5kva transformer / 32 amp outlet - UK (Read 8916 times)

carlb40 · « **on:** January 05, 2017, 03:12 PM »

Right guys i have decided to get myself a 5kva tranny in the next month or so.
As a site chippie working on smaller refurb sites, transformers are often supplied. However no one seems to listen when i tell them one 5kva transformer is not good enough to run lights, 2 lots of chippies tools etc and be safe. I often take my own 3.3kva tranny in and use that for myself, having taped one outlet up to prevent it being used by others.
But often find my stuff unplugged and others using my tranny.

So to make things even harder, i want the 5kva and use the 32 amp outlet and glue the 16 amp outlets shut.
So the question is - can i plug the soon to be purchased CTM26 into the 32 amp outlet without issues?

TIA

GarryMartin · « **Reply #1 on:** January 05, 2017, 03:48 PM »

You have two options I guess.

You could remove the 16A plug from the extractor and replace it with a 32A one. Not sure how that affects warranty though?

Or you could use a 32A plug to 16A socket "flylead" - only problem with that is that it puts you back in the same position; someone is just as likely to unplug your extractor and use the socket for something else.

carlb40 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 05, 2017, 04:03 PM »

Thank you Garry. I was thinking about swapping the plug for a 32 amp version.
Surely Festool can't expect you to send a 110v tool back under warranty just to change a plug if it got damaged etc? :/

Think this is a warranty question for Phil Beckley

GarryMartin · « **Reply #3 on:** January 05, 2017, 04:26 PM »

Quote from: carlb40 on January 05, 2017, 04:03 PM

Surely Festool can't expect you to send a 110v tool back under warranty just to change a plug if it got damaged etc? :/

Definitely one for @Phil Beckley to provide some guidance on.

demographic · « **Reply #4 on:** January 05, 2017, 05:47 PM »

I have one of those 32-16 amp flyleads.
On the bigger sites they often have a massive transformer with a heap of 16 amp sockets (all being used usually) and a couple of 32 amp sockets which are usually empty.

Having that means I have more choice about where I plug in, I keep it in the top of my CTM 26, its dead handy.

Oh and no issues so far.

joiner1970 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 06, 2017, 05:50 PM »

I've been thinking of getting a 5kva transformer, so my kapex runs better. Trouble is they're a pain to drag around. Can't someone invent a lightweight one

Sent from my ALE-L21 using Tapatalk

richy3333 · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2017, 03:52 AM »

I read the original post as referring to the outlets on the tranny, but later posts refer to the extractor? If the question is about replacing the extractor power outlet I guess only Festool could advise as it will be dependent upon the internal circuitry and cabling of the extractor to take the larger potential load (and I doubt the CT would)?

GarryMartin · « **Reply #7 on:** January 07, 2017, 04:31 AM »

Quote from: richy3333 on January 07, 2017, 03:52 AM

I read the original post as referring to the outlets on the tranny, but later posts refer to the extractor?

I don't think we're talking about replacing the socket on the extractor, I think we're talking about replacing the plug end with a 32A so that no one removes it from the transformer to use the socket on the transformer for their tools. If it's 32A on the transformer, their 16A tools won't plug in.

carlb40 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 07, 2017, 04:46 AM »

Quote from: GarryMartin on January 07, 2017, 04:31 AM

Quote from: richy3333 on January 07, 2017, 03:52 AM
I read the original post as referring to the outlets on the tranny, but later posts refer to the extractor?

I don't think we're talking about replacing the socket on the extractor, I think we're talking about replacing the plug end with a 32A so that no one removes it from the transformer to use the socket on the transformer for their tools. If it's 32A on the transformer, their 16A tools won't plug in.

Yes Garry, that is exactly what i wish to do.

John Shefford · « **Reply #9 on:** January 10, 2017, 01:34 PM »

I have a 5kv tranny with 2 16 amp and 1 32 amp sockets. I got it to run a Makita extractor that was capable of having a dewalt chop saw run off it. Worked fine for years no slow down at all. I'm not a sparks but I've seen people swap 32 amp plugs for 16 ones on site on heavy duty extractor s and they always run ok . Festool stick answer would be don't swap so you need someone who understands UK site voltages

Phil Beckley · « **Reply #10 on:** January 10, 2017, 02:56 PM »

Quote from: GarryMartin on January 05, 2017, 04:26 PM

Quote from: carlb40 on January 05, 2017, 04:03 PM
Surely Festool can't expect you to send a 110v tool back under warranty just to change a plug if it got damaged etc? :/

Definitely one for @Phil Beckley to provide some guidance on.

Hi
Apology for the late response.
I have emailed service to get the answer on this
rg
Phil

carlb40 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 10, 2017, 02:59 PM »

It isn't a power issue or lack of it for me. I only work smaller sites. What i want is to use the 32 amp socket to stop others taking power away from me. I have been on too many sites where they have a 5kva transformer powering festoon lights, then leads off the lights for tools. Leads with 2 or more splitter boxes powering tools.

Last year a chippie blew 2 5kva trannies up because it was powering lights and he plugged a table saw into it.

Despite explaining to the ''foreman'' that the tranny only gave a constant 3kva, which the lights effectively used up. All he could see was the tranny said it was 5kva, so should run everything ok.

carlb40 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 10, 2017, 03:03 PM »

Quote from: Phil Beckley on January 10, 2017, 02:56 PM

Quote from: GarryMartin on January 05, 2017, 04:26 PM
Quote from: carlb40 on January 05, 2017, 04:03 PM
Surely Festool can't expect you to send a 110v tool back under warranty just to change a plug if it got damaged etc? :/

Definitely one for @Phil Beckley to provide some guidance on.

Hi
Apology for the late response.
I have emailed service to get the answer on this
rg
Phil

No worries Phil, you are a busy man.

Thank you for your time.

Phil Beckley · « **Reply #13 on:** January 11, 2017, 04:10 PM »

Quote from: carlb40 on January 10, 2017, 03:03 PM

Quote from: Phil Beckley on January 10, 2017, 02:56 PM
Quote from: GarryMartin on January 05, 2017, 04:26 PM
Quote from: carlb40 on January 05, 2017, 04:03 PM
Surely Festool can't expect you to send a 110v tool back under warranty just to change a plug if it got damaged etc? :/

Definitely one for @Phil Beckley to provide some guidance on.

Hi
Apology for the late response.
I have emailed service to get the answer on this
rg
Phil

No worries Phil, you are a busy man.

Thank you for your time.

....and the answer is go for it
rg
Phil

carlb40 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2017, 05:22 AM »

Woooohoooo Thank you Phil

AJCruise · « **Reply #15 on:** January 12, 2017, 06:46 AM »

Do you not have to use heavier gauge cable on 32A circuits, as you do with 240V installations? I have some for heavy duty tools and a 4-gang splitter (16A sockets)
If you connect a lot of tools, lights etc., to a standard 16A cable, is it not likely to overheat/melt?
I know, because it has happened to me using a 240V extension lead with too much load attached.
Regards, Alan

carlb40 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 13, 2017, 12:57 PM »

Quote from: AJCruise on January 12, 2017, 06:46 AM

Do you not have to use heavier gauge cable on 32A circuits, as you do with 240V installations? I have some for heavy duty tools and a 4-gang splitter (16A sockets)
If you connect a lot of tools, lights etc., to a standard 16A cable, is it not likely to overheat/melt?
I know, because it has happened to me using a 240V extension lead with too much load attached.
Regards, Alan

Probably yes. But the Ct26 seems to have a thicker cable than the midi i have now. Plus i will be the only one using that transformer, which will have the CT26 plugged into it, plus only 1 tool plugged into the extractor.

So there will be no lights/ splitter boxes etc attached to my transformer. This is just me being selfish and wanting to use my own transformer just for my tools only.

Job and Knock · « **Reply #17 on:** February 05, 2017, 05:25 PM »

Quote from: carlb40 on January 10, 2017, 02:59 PM

All he could see was the tranny said it was 5kva, so should run everything ok.

Sounds about par for the course, TBH. I've cooked a 65VA tranny that way by plugging-in a 1400 watt extractor then powering up my DW745 -my that was fun. I use heavier gauge 32 Amp cables to feed my kit with either 4mm or 6mm copper. If I had to run off my own transformer than I'd look at getting differentially keyed plugs and sockets for the transformer end of the kit. I've come across these on 230 volt circuits in computer rooms (where it's meant to prevent cleaners from plugging their ratty old "Hettys" and "Henries" and then putting loads of nasty EMF into the power supply that the servers are on) but I don't know if they are available for 110 volt

BTW if you aren't a Brit, a "Hettie" is a particular type of vacuum cleaner, as is a "Henry" (made by Numatic)

Ross 71 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 05, 2017, 08:57 PM »

Ok, I'm a mains voltage feller, so I'm struggling a bit with this.

Is the 5kva transformer powered off the mains, or 3 phase or what? If its mains, isn't that about 22Amps?

In my limited experience of 110v, I find myself thinking that the transformer maker reckons a nice short lead is a good idea, use less copper, and the yellow land anchor wont get lost as it stays by the wall. Then the power tool manufacturer says to his self= about a 4' lead should be enough, there'll be plenty of flex on the transformer......

I find myself thinking this when I'm trying to work out how to angle grind some horrible piece of rusty metal at gutter height when all I brought was wood tools.

Job and Knock · « **Reply #19 on:** February 19, 2017, 03:14 PM »

Quote from: Ross 71 on February 05, 2017, 08:57 PM

Is the 5kva transformer powered off the mains, or 3 phase or what? If its mains, isn't that about 22Amps?

Mostly off the mains and you need to ensure that there's nothing else on the circuit drawing power because that will trip the breaker

Quote from: Ross 71 on February 05, 2017, 08:57 PM

In my limited experience of 110v, I find myself thinking that the transformer maker reckons a nice short lead is a good idea, use less copper, and the yellow land anchor wont get lost as it stays by the wall.

Actually the 110 volt edicts are all about ensuring that cable runs across the site are 10 volt and not 230 volt, so a long 230 volt trailing flex would be "pulled" (banne) pretty quickly.

Quote from: Ross 71 on February 05, 2017, 08:57 PM

I find myself thinking this when I'm trying to work out how to angle grind some horrible piece of rusty metal at gutter height when all I brought was wood tools.

Try a cordless grinder. Amazing tools, cordless grinders.....