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Advice on electricity

Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2018 10:01pm
3 replies146 views4 members subscribed
Angus

Posts: 4

Location: Calp / Calpe

Joined: 21 Dec 2018

Hello 

I am moving to Calpe in Jan 19, and am wondering about electricity. I have read various articles, some of which mention the limitations of electricity in Spain. I intend to bring several U.K. appliances.  I have read about surge protectors but not sure what they are. And am I able to use a Spanish adapter on a English multi plug and use several appliances from one outlet ? 

Anyone know of an honest and reliable electrician in Calpe area ? 

Thanks in advance 

Angus 

jimtaylor

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 4:55am

jimtaylor

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 5612

8738 helpful points

Location: Mudamiento

Joined: 2 Feb 2017

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 4:55am

The main difference about the electricity supply here is that the maximum current you can draw is determined by the contract you have. For example, we are on a 5.75 kW/H contract, which means that if we draw more than 25 amps, the meter trips out. In addition, the bill is made up of two elements - a charge for the contracted supply, and a charge for actual electricity used.

UK appliance work here without any problem, but I wouldn't bring a high wattage electric fire, and an electric shower is a no-no.

A surge protector simply protects against voltage spikes.

You can use an adaptor to plug several items into one socket, provided the total current drawn doesn't exceed 16 amps, but I'd be wary of doing so. Many adaptors are of poor quality and might suffer from, at least, over-heating if you draw too much current. They might be OK for connecting e.g. a computer, monitor, router and phone to one socket, but I wouldn't used one for connecting e.g. a kettle and toaster.

Cheryl

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 7:55am

Cheryl

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 2973

3533 helpful points

Location: Albatera

Joined: 8 Jun 2017

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 7:55am

Hello, just to add to Jim´s post, you can change your English 3 pin plugs to Spanish 2 pin ones. We´ve just learnt not to use the washing machine and dishwasher at the same time so make use of the timers on them to run them at different times. You may find the night tariff cheapest for you, depending on your usage. This gives cheaper electric from 10 pm to 12 mid-day in winter and from 11 pm to 1 pm in summer. We are in a country property with overhead supply and in 18 months have only had two very short power cuts (seconds). If you choose to have a higher input, you will pay slightly more.
The main problem we encountered was only having one socket in each room but that´s all sorted now.

Angus

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 9:23am

Angus

Original Poster

Posts: 4

Location: Calp / Calpe

Joined: 21 Dec 2018

Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2018 9:23am

jimtaylor wrote on Thu Dec 27, 2018 4:55am:

The main difference about the electricity supply here is that the maximum current you can draw is determined by the contract you have. For example, we are on a 5.75 kW/H contract, which means that if we draw more than 25 amps, the meter trips out. In addition, the bill is made up of two elements ...

...- a charge for the contracted supply, and a charge for actual electricity used.

UK appliance work here without any problem, but I wouldn't bring a high wattage electric fire, and an electric shower is a no-no.

A surge protector simply protects against voltage spikes.

You can use an adaptor to plug several items into one socket, provided the total current drawn doesn't exceed 16 amps, but I'd be wary of doing so. Many adaptors are of poor quality and might suffer from, at least, over-heating if you draw too much current. They might be OK for connecting e.g. a computer, monitor, router and phone to one socket, but I wouldn't used one for connecting e.g. a kettle and toaster.

Hi Jim

Thanks. Very helpful. I was thinking about PC, monitor etc when asking about multiple appliances connected to one socket. 

Keep up the good work. Your posts are really helpful. 

Angus 

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