[ksadamz]

I just recently purchased a new heat press I’ve been using a smaller one for a long time.

The one I just purchased is a 15 x 12

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/232759752604

I was able to just plug in the smaller 9x12 press into the wall with no problems, the new one I plugged it in and the bedroom light dimmed a little then went back to normal, but when press heated up more it dimmed again. Nothing else is plugged into the wall.

Is purchasing a surge protector worth it or is there something else I need to do so that this does not happen??

Any and all advice greatly appreciated. Thank you 😊

 

[Amw]

I just recently purchased a new heat press I’ve been using a smaller one for a long time.

The one I just purchased is a 15 x 12

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/232759752604

I was able to just plug in the smaller 9x12 press into the wall with no problems, the new one I plugged it in and the bedroom light dimmed a little then went back to normal, but when press heated up more it dimmed again. Nothing else is plugged into the wall.

Is purchasing a surge protector worth it or is there something else I need to do so that this does not happen??

Any and all advice greatly appreciated. Thank you 😊

A surge protector does just that protects from power surges. What you are experiencing is your press is drawing too much power for the circuit it is on.
Be very careful as this can cause a fire.
I would contact an electrician and have a outlet put in that has its own breaker. Moving the press to a different circuit may fix the issue but be sure your not overloading the circuit.
Your lights should never dim from something turning on and off.

 

[olga1]

I don't know why you are having that issue. that press is only 1200 watts

 

[ksadamz]

Yeah I was surprised too. The first time I turned it on something popped (like a fuse) on the machine.
I turned it off immediately Second time I tried it the press heated up but that’s when I noticed the issue with light.

 

[olga1]

well, something is wrong with the electrical system with that press, just return it, don't play with it anymore, you bought that press from ebay, PayPal and ebay will always protect you, they always side with the buyers not with the sellers.

 

[TABOB]

This is not unusual. That heat press is pulling a lot of amps and your are probably on a 15A circuit.

 

[seacookie]

Buildings can have dedicated circuit for washer and stove which are stronger. Maybe try that press on their circuit.

 

[TABOB]

Buildings can have dedicated circuit for washer and stove which are stronger. Maybe try that press on their circuit.

Things are not so simple in the US. Normal outlets are 110v, but the outlets for more demanding appliances will be 220v.
Just get used to the dimming lights... no big deal.

 

[binki]

You really need a 20amp circuit for the heat press. Don't put anything in between it and the outlet. If you are going to use a 15amp then don't use anything else on that circuit.

 

[LancerFlorida]

There are many issues with your question. Your lights dimming and need for a surge protector are UNRELATED.
It is highly likely the manual accompanyiong your press states that when not in use it should be unpluged from the power source. To me such statements idicates immature wiring in the press. It suggests to me the manufacturer will place blame on the electirical supply whenever that press literally 'lets the smoke out.'

If the docs say unplug, do so. I would not trust a surge protector to save my important equipment. For example my computers are all protected by a regenerative UPS.

Dimming lights. You have a house wiring problem. IT is being made worse by the press.
So do what you need to do, install a 20 amp dedicated circuit to your press. You will be replacing your existing press with one more appropriate shortly. After all, you are in the T-shirtforum.

When you open that power panel be aware, there's some pretty lethal stuff in front of you if you don't know what you are doing. So, my advise it to call an electician to intall the 20 amp 4plex, and investigate the dimming lights situation. Could be as simple as install LED lighting to replace those incadecants.

 

[seacookie]

-.-

 

[TABOB]

A lot of nonsense...
There is nothing wrong with the lights dimming. It is absolutely normal on a 15A circuit, due to voltage drop. An 110v 15A circuit has a limit of 1650W maximum, so this 1200w gets very close, but it is still within limits, even with the lights on. The only way to avoid the voltage drop, is re-wiring the circuit with a thicker wire and a higher rated breaker.

An alternative solution would be to use separate circuits, which is actually the norm in modern houses. The outlets should be on a different circuit than the lights.

 

[Amw]

A lot of nonsense...
There is nothing wrong with the lights dimming. It is absolutely normal on a 15A circuit, due to voltage drop. No, it is not normal for your lights to dim. It is a sign of too much draw on a circuit. I grew up with an electrician as a father, a brother in law that is also one, I helped out for many years, as well as we work with them all the time when installing lighted signage.

An alternative solution would be to use separate circuits, which is actually the norm in modern houses. The outlets should be on a different circuit than the lights. This is true for NEW construction, any older houses are going to share circuits.

My replies are in Red above as well as below.

To the OP:
You should call an electrician and have them look at it, dont risk anything taking the advice of people posting on a forum for something so important as your safety.

 

[seacookie]

don't know for states, but I have 2k press on normal circuit(dedicated only for heat press) at my home without any problem.

 

[TABOB]

I grew up with an electrician as a father, a brother in law that is also one

That doesn't make you an expert, and I guess you don't know what a voltage drop is, or what causes it. If you did, then you'd also know that it is normal, and as long as you do not exceed the rating of the cable, there is no problem. If the breaker is not tripping, then the circuit is not overloaded. Unless of course some idiot installed an overrated breaker.

don't know for states, but I have 2k press on normal circuit(dedicated only for heat press) at my home without any problem.

In Europe we are lucky, because we have 220v or 240v which means 220-240 watts per Amp. So a 20A outlet circuit in the UK (which is the average) can handle up to 4,800w. Most houses have 2-3 of them, and are separate from the ones used for lighting (normally 10A).

 

[Amw]

That doesn't make you an expert, and I guess you don't know what a voltage drop is, or what causes it. If you did, then you'd also know that it is normal, and as long as you do not exceed the rating of the cable, there is no problem. If the breaker is not tripping, then the circuit is not overloaded. Unless of course some idiot installed an overrated breaker.

Yes, a voltage drop is due to the length of the run. The farther from the electrical panel the more voltage drop there will be. In the US the max is about 3% at the farthest outlet on the circuit, which is perfectly fine.

 

[TABOB]

Yes, a voltage drop is due to the length of the run. The farther from the electrical panel the more voltage drop there will be. In the US the max is about 3% at the farthest outlet on the circuit, which is perfectly fine.

That's the NEC performance recommendation. It is not a safety issue, and the voltage drop can easily go up to 10% before exceeding the capacity of the circuit. It is not optimal, and the lights will dim, but there is nothing to worry about, unless you have sensitive electronic equipment on the same circuit.
If you do, then use a UPS to regulate the voltage, and avoid malfunctions.

 

[webtrekker]

Personally, I'd contact a qualified electrician rather than rely on the information provided by someone on a t-shirt forum.

 

[TABOB]

Personally, I'd contact a qualified electrician rather than rely on the information provided by someone on a t-shirt forum.

Qualified or Competent? It's not rocket science.
It is not a common issue in the UK, because we use ring circuits. The rest of the world, including the US, is using branch circuits.

 

[Amw]

That's the NEC performance recommendation. It is not a safety issue, and the voltage drop can easily go up to 10% before exceeding the capacity of the circuit. It is not optimal, and the lights will dim, but there is nothing to worry about, unless you have sensitive electronic equipment on the same circuit.
If you do, then use a UPS to regulate the voltage, and avoid malfunctions.

3% is the Max drop allowed in the US. When your home is wired it will be checked to be sure it is up to code...which is no more than 3%. If it as more then 3% that would indicate your using the wrong size wire for the length of the run.

A 15amp circuit shares 1800watts between all the receptacles on the circuit...and you should only be using 80% of that on anything that is being used for long periods of time. So you have 1440 watts for consistent use.
(This is why often blow dryers trip the breakers in bedrooms as a lot of them are 1500 watts and intended to be used in the bathroom which usually will have a 20 amp circuit. Most people are not unplugging everything they have in a room to turn on an appliance.)

In the UK you are not using 110v for most everything like here so a 10% drop here would be 99 volts...which can damage equipment.

So the OP should just trust you and put there safety in your hands?
As it has been said already...call a electrician in the area to check it out.
You never know what you/they will find.
The 1st house I bought many many years ago needed to be updated. The kitchen was from the late 70's. So we replace cabinets, appliances, plumbing, and re wired it. Good we did as when one of the walls was opened we found extension cords with the ends cut off connected to junction boxes and then ran to additional outlets. Which go figure ...every time the refrigerator kicked on the lights would flicker. Once we rewired it with the correct wiring the was no flicker, even after putting larger higher draw appliances in. If your house is wired correctly and you dont draw more then you should on a circuit there will be NO flicker.

According to electricians I have spoke to over the years as well as family...it is actually pretty common to find things like the wrong wire used or extension cords in the wall. Typical this is from a homeowner doing it them self without the correct knowledge for the job.