Whatever became of the screwdriverless plug?

Seemed like a good idea at the time. Lower profile than most 13amp plugs and came with a built-in wire stripper.

Tim

I remember the MK ones with thumbgrip terminal screws,maybe they still exist?

Isn't it a requirement that a tool should be required to open anything containing mains wiring, so the slidy-off top is a no-no?

There’s a slotted catch on the underside that latches the lid. Ideally you need a screwdriver so not technically “screwdriverless” but a teaspoon will work. ;-)

Tim

Looks like the earth connection would pull out first - normal plug it stays connected until last so another safety issue.

There are probably various implements that could open a standard plug with sufficient determination (including a hammer).

Would this not depend on the relative length of each wire? IIRC you were supposed to leave the earth wire a bit longer for this reason.

Perhaps the need was addressed by just making everything come with a pre-fitted plug? There was then no space in the market for an 'innovative' alternative.

I wonder how many plugs are sold nowadays. Must be a fairly small number.

Theo

In a normal plug, yes - plenty of room to park it. Where would you put the spare length of wire for the earth in this plug???

Indeed. A bit like 5A sockets. Dated...but still available

And very cheap.

Is there not space in the cavity in the middle?

And 7A fuses.

Well 5A sockets might be dated, but they are quite often used for dedicated lighting circuits so you can safely have centrally switched side lights, downlighters or uplighters on a 5amp lighting circuit. They are available in a wide range of finishes to fit in a standard back box. ScrewFix seems to have over 40 different styles available...

This allows a low current switch and light gauge wiring to be used. I wonder what the alternative would be?

Well those on Screwfix don't seem cheap....

Dave

for use when you donn't want difficult to accesss ring main fuses

A 2A socket :-)

less than a quid a pop - £9 something for 10...

Hagar Klik or Flex7 (but I think the latter are more intended to be fitted above suspended ceilings than on display in your lounge).

That does indeed sound like an issue. Well spotted!

Tim

Those don't seem like an alternative. Klix looks like a single spot to plug in several devices. With the 5amp plates you can spread them round the room, so have one for each seating position. They do may the 5amp sockets seem cheap...

Dave

You're seeing the multiway version more for shop/office fitting, they do make single faceplates that fit a backbox

or ceiling rose (or a besa box version)

plugs

Yeah, I have a couple of 5A round pins in different places in my lounge, switched from a common way of a 3 gang switch