#plug #socket #electricalwork

Well, the one stray strand ignored during installation had OCD me on edge! . . .
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Dc1jpfYLQ/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Another interesting example of people making products without understanding what they’re doing. In this case it’s a simple lamp adaptor with a built-in design fault that can make the shell of a bayonet cap lamp-base live. If the adaptor is used in a plastic ungrounded holder this won’t be noticed, but it does pose a shock risk due to exposed metal.
If the adaptor is put into an earthed/grounded socket then it will either bridge live or neutral to earth. That will either result in instant RCD/GFCI tripping if live is bridged to earth, or unpredictable tripping if neutral is connected to earth.

When neutral is bridged to earth it can result in some of the neutral current bypassing the RCD and causing an imbalance. That results in the RCD/GFCI issues when a load reaches a specific level, even on other circuits. It can be quite hard to trace, because turning off single pole circuit breakers will not remove the neutral to earth short.

I’m not a huge fan of built-in electronics. It means that in an instance like this, the densely packed electronics can fail dramatically with the awkwardness of it still being built into the house wiring with no easy way to remove or replace it without electrical skills.

For charging USB devices I recommend using good quality plug-in chargers, and better still, plugged into a fused adaptor or extension.

BS 1362 Fuse Operation Characteristics
https://www.pat-testing-training.net/articles/fuse-operation-characteristics.php

It may not be immediately apparent, but a 13A rated fuse is not designed to actually blow at 13A. In fact, a 13A fuse will allow a current of 20A to pass indefinitely without blowing. If we look at the graph in Fig 1, it shows the operating characteristics for both 3A and 13A BS 1362 fuses.

Why does a 13A rated fuse not blow at 13A?

The wire inside a fuse heats up when a current passes through it. The more current that passes, the hotter the wire will get. If the current is high enough, the wire will melt and cut the power to the appliance. The rated current of the fuse, in this case 13A, is the current that it can safely pass whilst maintaining a low enough temperature not to overheat the plug. BS 1362, the British Standard for the fuses used in plugs, specifies a maximum power dissipation of one watt when carrying the rated current.

Non-Fusing Current

The non-fusing current, the current that the fuse is capable of carrying, is specified as 1.6 times the rated current (Inf = 1.6 In). The fuse must be capable of carrying the non-fusing current for at least 30 minutes. So a 13A fuse must be capable of maintaining a current of 20.8A for at least 30 minutes without blowing.
Fusing Current

BS 1362 also specifies the fusing current as 1.9 times the rated current (If = 1.9 In). If the current exceeds the fusing current, the fuse must blow within 30 minutes. So a 13A fuse must blow within 30 minutes when carrying a current that exceeds 24.7A.

We are also finding an increasing number of counterfeit plugs made from flammable plastic being sold online. We have an article on counterfeit plugs where we conduct a flammability test to show how dangerous they are.

Counterfeit 13 A Plugs
https://www.pat-testing-training.net/articles/counterfeit-plugs.php

The fuse in the plug is an obvious cheap counterfeit. It does not have a manufacturer’s name or mark and is also missing an approval mark. Both are requirements of BS 1362, the British standard for plug fuses.

Breaking the fuse open, we can see that it does not contain the sand filling required by BS 1362. The sand filling is important because it displaces the air within the fuse and prevents it from exploding when it blows. We also have an article on counterfeit fuses, including a video demonstration of a counterfeit fuse exploding.

Counterfeit BS1362 Fuses
https://www.pat-testing-training.net/articles/fake-fuses.php

In kitchens, it’s often desirable to be able to control a hidden 13A socket outlet remotely. For example when the socket is behind a washing machine or dishwasher.

With reference to BS7671 can you use a 20Amp switch to control a socket connected to the spur off a ring final circuit?

I’ve heard that electrical system in UK is super safe, but how super?

Viewer comments:

It takes a lot of effort and imagination to overcome a UK plug and nearly start an electrical fire. My congratulations…

The fact that he knows how to hurt himself and not kill himself proves how smart he really is

Normal People on vacation: this place is so nice let’s go to the gift shops!

Electroboom: where the hell is the breaker box

Can’t figure out if you’re a qualified electrician and part time comedian, or full time comedian and amateur electrician

Geez, intentionally shorting a foreign hotel’s power outlet is a bold move.

The shaver outlets for bathrooms also have an isolating transformer behind the faceplate.