Electric hedge trimmer? - "cutting edge" advice that could save you from "a nasty shock!"

[5129frederick]

Got a hedge trimmer?  I'd be a rich man if I had a £1.00 for every person who cut through the cable.  It's perilously easy to happen because it tends to ride up and get hooked op what you are trimming.  My late father did the same a couple of times - suddenly there's a spark and a bang and it's too late.

Here is an excellent and simple way to prevent that from occuring which only takes a couple of minutes:

Undo the plug and run it through a 6' length of garden hose, knotting the cable at both ends and then reconnect about five feet from the trimmer.  The weight of the hose will automatically keep the cable down preventing further accidents.

[saasher2012]

Better yet get one that's run on petrol, problem solved!. lol.

[5129frederick]

Have you heard them?  I have, from the other end of Sittingbourne!  They sound like one of these two-stroke mopeds at full throttle that these kids ride about on - all noise and no go, unless you consider 18m.p.h. fast.

[geo1pat1]

Knot the cable???????..............Bad advice!

A knot in the cable.....Or even worse two knots, creates an electrical resistance which leads to overheating and the risk of fire....................same principal as coiled wire on the elements on an electric fire..............resistance equals heat........By the same token if you have the trimmer plugged into a coiled extension lead.............make sure that the extension lead is fully uncoiled..

Keep the cable over one shoulder and concentrate on what you are doing, or, buy a rechargeable trimmer as I did.........No problems!

[5129frederick]

(shrug shoulders)  Alright, tie a short piece of string/cord at each end of the hose so it remains in place.  

Rechargable trimmer.  Like rechargable drills - how long do the batteries last?  plus the fact it makes the unit heavier.  Give me an old black & Decker hedge trimmer any day - these modern ones are too plasticy.  Go on, now tell me I shouldn't use string either (roll eyes).

[cee-dee]

George is partly right. A coiled (or knotted) cable can have a transformer effect and give your machine a fatal charge. Probably won't kill you but it can kill your machine.

[saasher2012]

I'd rather have the noise than be electrocuted ! lol

[geo1pat1]

It's all very well shrugging your shoulders Fred, as if my post was of no significance, but you gave dangerous advice which could have led to some poor bleeder believing that you knew what you were talking about and trusting your information........................Electrocuting themselves.

As for battery life, mine lasts for approx three hours continuous use, before it needs recharging, but my property has a 70 yard frontage, all hedge, so after I have trimmed it, and some of the bushes around the lawns, I automatically put it on charge for the next time.

[5129frederick]

That in itself would be nothing short of a miracle seeing as it is encased in plastic!  Ever heard of a fuse?  It's not designed to protect the unit, it's prime objective is to prevent the flex from overheating.  Any electrician will verify that.  Clever-clogs, aren't I?    

[geo1pat1]

# 9

A fuse functions as a protector for a circuit by creating an open circuit condition when excessive current is encountered.

The fuse performs this function by interrupting the electrical current through the melting of some of its specifically designed components.

These components are melted by the heat generated as a result of the excessive current.

This keeps the excess voltage from contacting with the circuit and causing greater damage to the system.

In other words..............The fuse protects the main wiring of the property from catching fire in the case of overheating. Just the same as the electricity companies fuses in a property, protect their main cables from overheating and possibly catching fire as a result of the properties internal wiring catching fire...............................Which, as any electrician will verify is a possibility in the case of a higher rating fuse being fitted to an appliance..............And householders DO fit higher rated fuses if that is all they have in that little tin in the kitchen drawer, and can't be bothered to go and buy one of the correct rating........................Now what that means as being a clever clogs I am sure you already know, is that if someone fits lets say a 13amp fuse in a plug intended to have a maximum fuse rating of 3 amps (Which does happen!) In the event of overheating within the appliance,or the cable plugged into a power socket , the fuse is unlikely to blow..........The result?...............House wiring fire, leading to a possible house fire...............................As any fireman will verify

How do you think most house wiring fires start?.....................CLUE......It aint freezing temperatures.............It's heat.

But in case you missed my original point......It's a bad idea to tie knots in electric cables …..as any electrician will verify :):):)

[5129frederick]

BRAVO - point taken!  

I concede 

It is inadvisable to knot or worse still, double knot a cable lest it build up too high a resistance in the lead.  If you are uncertain what amperage to use with a plug, choose a low amperage one to be on the safe side.

  Your kudo has been well earned