Double socket: washing machine, tumble drier and fridge freezer sounds like a bad idea

[Mouse_Nightshirt]

Hi folks,

Fairly knowledgeless new guy here so please excuse the stupid question.

We've just moved into a new house and the utility room is setup to have the washing machine, tumble drier and also the main fridge freezer.

There's a double socket that seemingly is supposed to feed all three. Now I've read that a tumble drier (heat pump) and washing machine should theoretically be fine on separate plugs on the double socket, however adding a fridge freezer makes me very highly uncomfortable. I assume that's not safe to do and I should get a sparky to install a dedicated socket for the fridge freezer?

Thanks for your help.

 

[EFLImpudence]

It depends on the ratings of the appliances.
8A WM and 12.5A TD (or less) should not pose any problems.

The FF will not draw much current but using an adaptor and plugging in all three may not be wise.

Depending on the circuit, another socket for the TD would be better.

What is the rating of the fuse/breaker which covers the socket?

 

[OwainDIYer]

Washing machine is a heavy load but only when heating water, so very intermittent. Fridge/freezer is negligible.

The main sustained load is the tumble dryer so you'd need to check the load. Preferably put the tumble on a new single socket.

Won't it be inconvenient not having the main fridge/freezer in the kitche?

 

[big-all]

one way to avoid any problems is to not use the tumble dryer for about the first 10 mins in the washing machine cycle whilst it heats the water after then the load will be fine

 

[Tigercubrider]

My washer/drier and fridge/freezer are in a utility room off the kitchen and it isn't a bother
The extension is only about 3m sq to infill the gap between the length of the house and shorter garage

 

[ericmark]

Having the fridge/freezer and washing machine on same socket is unlikely to cause a problem. With a fridge/freezer if there is a volt drop when the motor tries to start it could stall, it will auto disconnect and try again latter, should this happen repeatedly then the auto disconnect can wear out prematurely, this is why most state do not use extension lead. This is not a problem with inverter drive fridge/freezers, and since they are designed to work with 220 volt it is unusual for it to be a problem in the UK. Once the motor is running volt drop is not a problem with either type.

The chances of the fridge/freezer trying to start at the same time as the heater in washer is running is very slim. so in real terms unlikely to cause a problem.

 

[aptsys]

The OP mentioned a heat pump tumble dryer. Mine draws less than 1kW. Should be fine on that socket.

 

[jg321]

When we moved into our rented flat, the combined washer/dryer was plugged into an extension lead. On further investigation, it turned out to be 0.75mm sq flex!

Incidentally, it didn't even get slightly warm, even on a 60 degree wash. The first time I used the dryer function however was a different matter