# What do you call this kind of timer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 3, 2016, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-this-kind-of-timer/767564 "2016-10-03T14:21:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rainy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-this-kind-of-timer/767564/1 "2016-10-03T14:21:22Z")
I need to purchase a timer that you can plug into a wall outlet, and then plug an electric skillet into in order to prevent the electric skillet from being accidentally left on and starting a fire. Searching turns up loads of those 24 hour timers that you use to turn lamps on and off when you are gone on vacation. But what I need is one that would allow you turn the skillet on for a maximum of around 15-30 minutes. It is in a shared workspace and the skillet is heating materials that are the first step in a process that tends to distract people. So the risk of them leaving the skillet heating is high. Thanks in advance. -rainy ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-this-kind-of-timer/767564/2 "2016-10-03T14:34:07Z")
‘Safety outlet’ seems to be used sometimes. [Example](https://www.amazon.com/Teklectric-Indoor-Countdown-Safety-Outlet/dp/B01KKOJ42U/ref=sr_1_21?s=lamps-light&ie=UTF8&qid=1475505119&sr=1-21&keywords=outlet+timer) Or ‘Countdown Outlet’. [This one](https://www.amazon.com/Century-Mechanical-Countdown-Timer-Grounded/dp/B00MVDTEXS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1475505383&sr=8-1&keywords=countdown+outlet)goes down to 15 minutes. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-this-kind-of-timer/767564/3 "2016-10-03T14:39:31Z")
This one looks like it does it: [Timer Switch Outlet, Nearpow Multifunctional Infinite Loop Programmable Plug-in](http://www.ebay.com/itm/Timer-Switch-Outlet-Nearpow-Multifunctional-Infinite-Loop-Programmable-Plug-in-/162187219249?hash=item25c31c9131:g:s4QAAOSwFe5Xx0JO) If half an hour would be OK then this one looks easy: [AC Electric OUTLET Power TIMER Auto ShutOff switch BELKIN Conserve Socket F7C009](http://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-Electric-OUTLET-Power-TIMER-Auto-ShutOff-switch-BELKIN-Conserve-Socket-F7C009-/141129088310) ---
**Author:** ![Me\_Billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-this-kind-of-timer/767564/4 "2016-10-03T15:00:52Z")
Anything which heats like an electric skillet uses a lot of “amperage” or “wattage”. And the word “appliance” when used with a search for electrical things will many times bring up higher wattage capacity gizmos. Many timers of this nature are designed for lamps and many of those are only 100 watts or so. Heating devices can be 1200 watts! So be careful to get a high amperage timer or an overloaded timer might cause a fire! So I searched for “appliance timer” and came up with this… “15-Amp Heavy Duty Indoor Plug-In Dial Timer”… > **[Intermatic 15 Amp Indoor Plug-In Dial Timer for Holiday Lights and...](https://www.homedepot.com/p/Intermatic-15-Amp-Indoor-Plug-In-Dial-Timer-for-Holiday-Lights-and-Decorations-Grounded-TN311/203954918?MERCH=RV-_-OD_NavPLP_rr-_-203954890-_-203954918-_-N)** > > The TN311 Series provides a quick and easy way to automate ON/OFF schedules and plugs directly into standard wall outlets. And with that, you can search for the words: Heavy Duty Timer …and find many more! ---
**Author:** ![rainy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-this-kind-of-timer/767564/5 "2016-10-03T17:40:55Z")
Awesome, thanks to all. Now I can do some choosing. I’ll be sure to pay attention to the specs of the skillet and the timer. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-this-kind-of-timer/767564/6 "2016-10-03T20:51:11Z")
You absolutely positively do NOT want something that plugs into a standard outlet then you plug the skillet into that. You’re NOT going to find one that really has the amperage you need. Especially not for something you use at work where the skillet is used for several cycles every day for months. Instead you want an ordinary outlet controlled by a switch like this: [http://www.homedepot.com/p/Intermatic-20-Amp-60-Minute-Spring-Wound-In-Wall-Timer-Silver-SW60MK/205478805?keyword=sw60mk](http://www.homedepot.com/p/Intermatic-20-Amp-60-Minute-Spring-Wound-In-Wall-Timer-Silver-SW60MK/205478805?keyword=sw60mk) If you can’t dedicate a switched outlet to this you can build a heavy duty extension cord which has a switch like this in a box in the middle. If this is used in a business you need to do this right. Building it from crap, or cluelessly, will void your insurance when the inevitable fire occurs. An electrician can do the job right for not much money. Better than an extension cord would be to build the timer switch and controlled outlet into the workbench where this skillet is being used. ---
**Author:** ![mtomm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df788c/32.png) [@mtomm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mtomm)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-this-kind-of-timer/767564/7 "2016-10-03T21:40:55Z")
Or go with a George Forman type grill that has a built in timer. ---
**Author:** ![Kiwi\_Fruit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiwi_fruit/32/12_2.png) [@Kiwi\_Fruit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiwi_Fruit)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-this-kind-of-timer/767564/8 "2016-10-03T22:02:20Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > You absolutely positively do NOT want something that plugs into a standard outlet then you plug the skillet into that. You’re NOT going to find one that really has the amperage you need. Especially not for something you use at work where the skillet is used for several cycles every day for months. > > Instead you want an ordinary outlet controlled by a switch like this: [http://www.homedepot.com/p/Intermatic-20-Amp-60-Minute-Spring-Wound-In-Wall-Timer-Silver-SW60MK/205478805?keyword=sw60mk](http://www.homedepot.com/p/Intermatic-20-Amp-60-Minute-Spring-Wound-In-Wall-Timer-Silver-SW60MK/205478805?keyword=sw60mk) > > If you can’t dedicate a switched outlet to this you can build a heavy duty extension cord which has a switch like this in a box in the middle. If this is used in a business you need to do this right. Building it from crap, or cluelessly, will void your insurance when the inevitable fire occurs. An electrician can do the job right for not much money. Better than an extension cord would be to build the timer switch and controlled outlet into the workbench where this skillet is being used. The first example given by **Folly** is quoted at 15 amps load. Is your skillet more than that? ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-this-kind-of-timer/767564/9 "2016-10-03T22:20:45Z")
> [@Kiwi\_Fruit](#): > > The first example given by **Folly** is quoted at 15 amps load. Is your skillet more than that? …and the second one I linked to is also a mechanical switch. Everything remains plugged in so you are not stressing contacts. I’m not seeing how the outlet controlling switch is significantly better. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2016, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-this-kind-of-timer/767564/10 "2016-10-03T22:35:17Z")
> [@Me\_Billy](#): > > Anything which heats like an electric skillet uses a lot of “amperage” or “wattage”. And the word “appliance” when used with a search for electrical things will many times bring up higher wattage capacity gizmos. > > Many timers of this nature are designed for lamps and many of those are only 100 watts or so. Heating devices can be 1200 watts! So be careful to get a high amperage timer or an overloaded timer might cause a fire! > > So I searched for “appliance timer” and came up with this… > > “15-Amp Heavy Duty Indoor Plug-In Dial Timer”… > [http://www.homedepot.com/p/Intermatic-15-Amp-Heavy-Duty-Indoor-Plug-In-Dial-Timer-TN311/203954918?MERCH=RV-\_-OD\_NavPLP\_rr-\_-203954890-\_-203954918-\_-N](http://www.homedepot.com/p/Intermatic-15-Amp-Heavy-Duty-Indoor-Plug-In-Dial-Timer-TN311/203954918?MERCH=RV-_-OD_NavPLP_rr-_-203954890-_-203954918-_-N) > > And with that, you can search for the words: Heavy Duty Timer > …and find many more! Agree with everything you’ve said. Though if I were the OP, I would spend a few extra bucks and get a [20 A timer](http://www.homedepot.com/p/Intermatic-HB110-Series-20-Amp-Air-Conditioner-and-Appliance-Plug-In-Timer-White-HB113/205878347). ---
**Author:** ![Me\_Billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2016, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-call-this-kind-of-timer/767564/11 "2016-10-04T15:04:07Z")
FYI - !20 volt AC appliances with a regular plug are limited to what a 15 amp outlet can handle. So 15 amps will do nicely for any appliance with a “regular” plug. Additional knowledge… Even better to “over engineer” things like this. Devices rated for 20 amps, but used with a 15 amp gizmo would be even better. I do this myself frequently. But you don’t have to. And look at the wattage on all the various 120 volt space heaters [with a regular plug] sold in retail stores. Notice the wattage never goes above a certain amount! (The capacity of a 15 amp circuit.) And there are higher wattage appliances/space heaters. These however are direct wired or have a 20 amp or higher “special” plug. Note a 20 amp outlet will accept a special plug… [![](https://www.handymanwire.com/articles/20%20amp.jpg) ](https://www.handymanwire.com/articles/20%20amp.jpg) [![](http://www.hammondmfg.com/20Astplg.jpg) ](http://www.hammondmfg.com/20Astplg.jpg)