I bought a 2 way 13amp adapter from Amazon, and only realised after it arrived that it is unfused.
It says that it conforms with BS1363-3. Does this allow a 2 way adapter to be unfused? I'm really rather surprised.
This item
I'm only plugging a couple of coffee grinders in, so it's perfectly safe for now. Until somebody uses it for two high power items, of course.
Well you can have a double socket on the end of an unfused spur, what's the difference?
True. And, that's easily converted to 4 gang with one of these:
BS-1363 part 3 is the one you need, it says thusly:
12.4 The provision of fuses in adaptors shall be in accordance with the following. a) An adaptor having only one or two adaptor socket-outlets for 13 A plugs complying only with BS 1363 and having no other adaptor socket-outlets need not be fused. b) A multiway adaptor having two adaptor socket-outlets for BS 1363 plugs and one or more adaptor socket-outlets for plugs complying with other standards, shall either be: ? provided with onlv one fuse link which shall have a rated current of 13 A and comply with BS 1362:1973; or ? provided with a 13 A fuse link, complying with BS 1362:1973, protecting the BS 1363 adaptor socket-outlets and an appropriate fuse link complying with BS 1362:1973 or BS 646:1958 protecting all other adaptor socket-outlets. c) A multiway adaptor having more than two adaptor socket-outlets for BS 1363 plugs shall be provided with a 13 A fuse link complying with BS 1362:1973.So in this case (a) applies.
Any different from a double socket on a spur?
Those are fused though...
Might depend on what CSA flex they use?
I used to buy lots of them for the semi-permanent connection of items on TV system head ends that had moulded-on plugs with 3A fuses in them. It's ridiculous but in 2012 I was paying 50p each for them.
Bill
Also I had a cheap two way adaptor a couple of years ago that had no sign of a fuse, except it had one hidden inside it and one had to take it apart to change the damned thing, bar humbug. Brian
Flex where? (i.e. on a socket circuit a spur would typically be on a length of 2.5mm^2 T&E, and with an adaptor there is no flex - it plugs directly into the socket)
OIC! Didn't realise they stii made that sort of adapter.
A double socket has two sets of pins rated at 13amps. And adaptor, one.
Dave Plowman (News) laid this down on his screen :
A double 13amp socket is rated for a maximum combined output load of
20amp, not 2x13 = 26amp
But each set is rated at 13 amps as I said.
Sockets don't have pins.
Bill
Ha..
'Socket takes', pet. Sorry you are so thick everything has to be spelt out to you.
But nice to see you commenting on a DIY question for a change.
Of course most adaptors are white.
Like most of your type you are humourless. And when you do try to make a joke it falls flat. "adaptors are white" indeed!
Bill
And still it does not really matter....
The pins themselves (being substantial brass things with a large cross section) will likely take 100s of amps without issue. The limitation is the quality of the contact between pins and the spring terminals in the socket. On a socket in good condition, it will carry in excess of the full notional 13A for extended periods without significant temperature rise. One in poor condition, or a cheap chinesium knock off may not.
You could put a fuse in your two way adaptor, but that again is unlikely to help - just look at the typical breaking current for a BS1362 fuse:
(Note also they have been refining and re-issuing these standards for decades now, you have to have some faith that they people doing this actually know what they are doing!)
On 25/06/2021 12:13, John Rumm wrote: <snip>
Indeed. Adaptors were part and parcel of the work started in 1942 that led to BS 1363 in 1947 (drawing on the lessons from adaptors for BS 546
15A etc sockets).
Don't remember ever seeing a 15 amp adaptor with two (or more) 15 amp outlets, though. Commonly one 15 and two 5.
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