Joking aside what's the highest I can out through a single and adaptor? 
Socket outlets are normally on a ring main rated at 32 Amps so that is the maximum you can pull through a ring main, with the load distributed around the ring. I believe a double 13A socket is specified to safely give you up to 20A with neither socket loaded to over 13A. Probably best that it is on the ring and not spurred from it if you're going to do that.
What is the rating of your elements?
I'm guessing they are either 3kw elements in which case they will take as near as damn it a full 13A, or around 2.2kW which is pretty much 10A.
So, a pair of 2.2kW elements should be safe on a double socket outlet, a pair of 3kW elements less so, although you might get away with it. The third element I would try to run from another ring main, if available, or from another socket on that ring main, well separated from the first one, so that the load is spread.
Beware that garage circuits, etc. are often fed from a spur rated at 16A.
Also beware that extension leads are often not rated for the full 13A, and any that are will need to be fully unwound.
That's the official line. Unofficially.. I'd try to find out how the sockets are wired so you don't overload anything, check that no socket outlets or any of the wiring you can get access to is getting worryingly warm and play it by ear..
I'm guessing you won't need all 3 elements flat out for a 90 minute boil, or whatever. You can probably drop it back to 1 or 2 elements once it's boiling and save leccy and minimise evaporation in the process.
I'd be happy to cast an eye over the installation and give you my thoughts if you like?
Author
Topic: i might be in trouble when the missus gets back..... (Read 2424 times)