Strange boat electrics

See if the sockets have a rating stamped on them- usually on the back.

Seem an usual arrangement- where did they get all the sockets from and why? Are you sure that the sockets aren't the similar looking 12V socket system used in caravans. If so, then I would worry!

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When you say "supply" you mean shore power, yes? So it's an American boat plugged into the European mains. Assuming the appliances are all

Hmmm! If it can cope with a kettle (don't you have gas?) and a hairdryer, it can cope with anything.

• My yacht in Greece

American mains electrics are of lower standard than our stuff, though quite serviceable. Plugs are rated 10A continuous IIRC. A kettle would be ok since its only on for 3 mins. US plugs can occasionally sit half in half out, running hot is just accepted etc... not ideal but it works. (so I'm told anyway)

NT

Hi,

So at 110v, 10A, does that mean our 'merkin cousins can only draw

Regards,

Glenn.

While watching US sourced TV programmes ... ; notice how many times the actors 'make a cup of tea' using a kettle off a hob! You never (well almost never) see them use an electric kettle. US 'lectrickery supplies 220V off a pole to each house where it's transformer centre-tapped to two antiphase

Are you sure they are American and not Shuko or one of the other 23 variations on a plug and socket favoured by European countries? Where did the boat come from?

Presumably he knows because of the type of adapters he had to buy. Seemed simple enough to me.

MBQ

On 7 Apr 2006 04:37:24 -0700 someone who may be snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com wrote this:-

Many/most two pin plugs and sockets are physically compatible.

An expert is someone who knows how little they know about something. A non-expert thinks they know everything.

This 1 and a mumble kW limit is why you can't get a proper cup of tea in the whole country,

They also have many sorts of wall socket because all too many things need more power. So the chances are that you simply can't use the MIG welder in the bedroom, as is so easily done on the UK system. No wonder they're falling technically behind so rapidly.

I think that must be the definition of a really understanding Mrs. :-)

Or a quite amazing sex life ;-)

Owain

Partly because they are virtually unobtainable. My parents (who live in Pennsylvania) had to buy one in Canada.

They look like standard US sockets as observed by me on various trips over the pond. Can't be sure, I suppose.

The boat is a tarquin trader which was bought new in GB by the previous owners. I think I have been told that traders are made in Taiwan and then have a final fitting out in the country of purchase.

Pen

You can find a "spot the plug" guide at

American sockets are quite safe at 220V (or at least as safe as their construction inherently allows - its easy to get your finger across the pins while plugging then in/out).

BT looked into getting type approval for US mains plugs. The maxmimum rating they would be permitted in the EU was

On Sun, 09 Apr 2006 11:47:25 +0100 someone who may be Peter Parry wrote this:-

However, it spoils it with the following assertion, "The reason why we are now stuck with no less than 13 different styles of plugs and wall outlets, is because many countries preferred to develop a plug of their own, instead of adopting the US standard."

Written by someone trained by Microsoft? ;-)

It's also spoiled with inaccuracies.

I spotted a few:

- The Schuko plug does become polarised if used in a France/Belgium socket with projecting pin

- The Danish socket illustrated normally has a round earth pin nowadays

- The Swiss one normally does not have the shroud around the socket since this prevents Schuko plugs from being plugged into it.

- The Israeli ones that I've seen have a rounded and not a flat earth pin.

Definitely US Type "B" from the guide.

Pen

Schuko is only the German plug, not the France/Belgium plug nor the one which fits both sockets.

France/Belgium plug is not polarised anyway. True, you can't plug it in either way round, but it is not defined which is the live or neutral pin. Actually, in just about every double socket or two-way adaptor, you'll find the two sockets hard- wired the opposite way around.