Hi guys,
   I'm making some.. um.. "modifications" to a mini-oven to enable it to =

be used for reflow soldering. Yep, I'm jumping on the "toaster oven =

reflow" bandwagon. I've got (what I think is) a rather nice design for a =

controller, including all the AC control and so forth.

   Thing is, I'm having some issues finding some suitable cable for the =

internal wiring. As far as I can tell, I have two options:
   - Stranded cable, e.g. Pro-Power CBBR1535 series (datasheet here: =

<http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/74171.pdf>). This option would =

involve buying three reels of cable -- brown, blue and green/yellow =

striped. At =A313/reel plus VAT, this will eat into my budget rather quickl=
y.
   - Buy some 13A mains flex, and split it into three separate cores. I =

like this idea on cost grounds, but I'm somewhat worried about the =

safety aspect. Surely the separate cores inside twin-and-earth flex =

aren't going to be rated to the same degree as equipment wire?

I know the basics of mains safety from an electromechanical standpoint; =

earth the case, leave a decent amount of space between live and =

neutral/earth (though isolation distances seem to be hard to find), put =

fuses on the inlet, use an IEC or similar inlet so the mains lead can be =

replaced if it gets damaged... but what's catching me out is the actual =

internal wiring. What should I be looking for besides voltage and =

current ratings?

Also, on another note, I'm planning to replace the captive mains lead =

with a 10A IEC inlet. The oven has a 1650W rating, and by my reckoning =

10A at 250V (being pessimistic) is 2500W, thus a 10A inlet should be =

fine. Have I simplified my calculations a little too much here? =

Obviously I'm going to have to hunt down a suitably-rated =

mains-plug-to-IEC lead, but is a humble IEC plug going to survive having =

1650W pulled through it?

Also, if anyone knows of any good references on this sort of thing =

(especially if they cover the UK wiring regs), I'd be more than happy to =

do some reading up! Unfortunately it seems the few books on my bookshelf =

that cover AC wiring take a rather US-slanted view (references to the =

use of figure-8 profile 110V cable, and I'll bet the isolation distances =

are FAR too short, just for starters).

Thanks,
-- =

Phil.
piclist@philpem.me.uk
http://www.philpem.me.uk/

-- =

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