My son has bought an item of computer equipment and it has an unfused mains lead fitted with an IEC connector at one end and a 13a plug at the other. The 13a plug is smaller than normal, and as stated above has no fuse.
If I was at work I'd condemn it on visual inspection for a pat test. Is it legal to sell such a lead?
Photos:
No, was it bought from a reputable retailer?
I would be calling trading standards if I were you, as AFAIK this is dangerous and illegal.
Potentially 32A can pass through this plug/lead and IEC connector (These are usually stamped with 10A on them - is this one?)
I think the retailer will be required to recall any they have sold too.
Sparks...
Ebay
I agree on that one. I was shocked to see it.
It is stamped 10A and has the usual size flex, 1.5mm2?
I've passed that on to my son, he won't respond as he doesn't want neg FB from seller, the lead is binned.
Ilegal here.Nasty little deathtraps. They contravene Plugs and Sockets etc (Safety) Regulations 1994, SI 1994 No.
1768. I have seen them on imports from Hong Kong.
Yes, but only so long as it is _not_ "ordinarily intended for domestic use" (The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994). They are quite common in computer rooms where sockets are installed under floors (Yes - I know it's a silly idea to put sockets under floors - but there are lots).
The message from contains these words:
Doesn't stop you shopping the supplier to TS yourself. Or even just waiting till the feedback process is finished and then do it.
Dunno about "quite common", though. I've been working in computer rooms for 32 years now and I've never seen one before.
ditto - well, expect for the 32 years, only 11 years here!
I have seen these unfused plugs and sockets
Sparks...
IIRC, 13 amp plugs to the same layout as ours, but without fuse, are used in some far east places (Singapore, Hong Kong?) - presumably on suitably fused radial circuits rather than rings. So those leads would be for that country - but totally unsuitable for the UK. There are other BS plugs and sockets allowed for radial circuits where fused plugs would be unsatisfactory.
On Thu, 23 Nov 2006 10:09:21 -0000 someone who may be "Sparks" wrote this:-
Such sockets are wired on dedicated radial circuits and the fuse is at the distribution board. The one exception is the 16A size, any number of which can be wired on one radial circuit, though obviously only if there is enough diversity.
Those are called Commando sockets. All of our AC fed equipment in our Data, Switch & Transmission rooms are fed by them.
Huge wrote in news:ek3o94$205$ snipped-for-privacy@apophis.demon.co.uk:
Well, I've done lots, in broadcastingplant and associated equipment - routers, etc.
Placed under the floor, with a lid, under the equipment they serve, they're an elegant answer.
Ours all used standard 13A plugtops, or in the years of madness, Walsall Guage
mike
Where do you buy the plugs or distribution boards? All the ones I've seen have used Commando plugs.
Why madness? Apart from cost they are pretty reliable.
"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@davenoise.co.uk:
That's a big ask, considering how long I've been retired, but like this
The connectors were ok, it was the folks who changed plugtops or made interconnects so vacuum cleaners, angle grinders, etc, would work on the super quiet tech mains. And all the legit gear that had standard connectors so had to be worked round in a Walsall area
mike
Why *switched* sockets though? There's no real need for switches, as people just switch off at the appliance when necessary, and there is a risk of unwanted switching off when somebody opens the floor box for whatever reason.
I would prefer BS 546 round-pin plugs, available from more manufacturers and the round pins/tubes are a more reliable connection, especially at high currents. Square-pin socket contacts are prone to losing 'springiness' and overheating, the design was originally to save materials after World War 2, as was ring-circuit wiring.
Ah - sorry I was sort of wondering about the non fused 13 amps plugs. Confusion reigns...
You're confusing me again. Surely there was a 'cooking' supply in the area too?
"Dave Plowman (News)" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@davenoise.co.uk:
Well, me, I was only a planner and installer; the specifiers said that theis was the problem and stopped specifying them.
But my earlier operational experience confirms Murphy's law in spades!
mike
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