Radio adverts about overloading sockets.

[Eddiesparks]

Has anyone else heard the new advert along the lines of 'don't plug in too much into an extension lead it will overload the electrical socket'

Surely the 13a fuse in extension lead's plug top is to stop this very occurence??

Ok, a 13a fuse doesn't break at 13a as we all know but surely the flex in BS/CE/whatever standard extension leads takes this into account?

The reason we sparks design circuits intelligently and the reason there are fuses in plug tops & FCUs etc is to allow for user error surely??

What do others think?

 

[telectrix]

worst thing is those 3 way unfused adaptors/splitters. not only the chance of current overload, but also the mechanical strain on the socket contacts.

 

[DPG]

4 ways trailing extension blocks not a major issue for me. Agree with Tel though about the unfused 'block' type adaptors. To meet standards they must be fused, but there are still old ones out there, and the dodgy Chinese versions. Plus as tel says, the strain on the connections is not good. Daz

 

[Andy78]

Tel is right, the worst ones are the blocks or even these....
Five Socket Individually Switched Surge Protected Adapter White | Maplin
for the stress and damage they can cause to the socket/plug.

And let's not forget the coiled lead with the convection heater plugged into it.

 

[telectrix]

should bring back the old 15A round pin sockets. you could squeeze loads of flexes in them, wedged in with the only plug you need.

 

[Eddiesparks]

I agree with all of you (except tel's 15a socket idea!)What I'm saying is if you put hair straighteners, heater, hair dryer, toaster.... ad infinitum then the fuse will break & no fire issue surely?!

 

[davesparks]

You are assuming that the adaptor is fused to start with, and that the user doesn't just keep replacing the fuse or somehow bypass it by wrapping it in tinfoil or something

 

[Eddiesparks]

Ok fair enough. Fuses in tin foil has to be the stupidest thing in the world...

 

[DPG]

You are assuming that the adaptor is fused to start with, and that the user doesn't just keep replacing the fuse or somehow bypass it by wrapping it in tinfoil or something

We're not assuming at all - the OP was speaking about fused adaptors. And you can't allow for stupidity with tin foil unfortunately. Daz

 

[telectrix]

tin foil is stupid. far too high a In. the silver paper out of smoke packets is far more sensible. :earmuffs:

 

[Leesparkykent]

tin foil is stupid. far too high a In. the silver paper out of smoke packets is far more sensible. :earmuffs:

How many times do you have to wrap it for the equivalent of a 13amp fuse?

 

[Eddiesparks]

Kit Kat wrappers are 5a I know that much. Feeble if you ask me. Nails are 100a as we all know

 

[telectrix]

the foil from marlboro lights is 5A. the clue is in the word..... lights. use the foil from capstan full strength for sockets.

 

[telectrix]

anyway, just to be pedantic. it's not tin foil, it's aluminium foil. get it right guys.

 

[micknew]

the foil from marlboro lights is 5A. the clue is in the word..... lights. use the foil from capstan full strength for sockets.

Great advice!

 

[Marvo]

should bring back the old 15A round pin sockets. you could squeeze loads of flexes in them, wedged in with the only plug you need.

The 15A round pin, real-mans sockets are standard here, usually on 20A radial circuits so the chances of acute overloading isn't high. Much better not having to faff around with fuses

There's lots of advantages to the round pin plugs, they don't hurt as much when you accidentally stand on one for starters.

**edit** incidentally the round pin sockets are generally considered to be 16A sockets as opposed to 125A mentioned above. Not sure why....

 

[Richard Burns]

I think when the original plugs were designed they did not apply a lot of technology to them, "hmm this does not get hot, must be OK with that load"
I seem to remember that there was some discussion about the 5A plugs and the powers that be saying well they can take 10A anyway, so presumably the 15A socket could actually take about 20A and so a rating of the now "standard" 16A makes more sense.

 

[Paul.M]

It's great that they are advertising this public safety notice. Most fires start due to portable heaters + other appliances overloading the extension, this needs to be advertised through until winter and get the message across.