On Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:24:36 +0100, you wrote: >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: = >). 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 quick= ly. > - 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/ It really shouldn't be an issue internally - that's what fuses and earthin= g are for, plus keeping mechanical clearance between mains and any low-voltage stuff. = Probably a good idea to use something heat resistent though in a toaster - = the 3-core flex they sell for connecting up immersion heaters (stripped down to its seperate co= res) is probably the most readily available by the metre. IEC (10A should be fine) - techically you should probably use a 'hot condi= tion' type - these have a cutout in the mains-lead end and a bump in the inlet. = = -- = http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist