General > General Technical Chat
[YouTube]: American is impressed by sensible British mains plug design
Monkeh:
--- Quote from: PlainName on October 26, 2022, 10:13:37 am ---I'm more inclined to think that they use the hole because it's there rather than putting the hole in to help them. After all, if it were just for manufacture then some parts would have the hole, some not, and some have a differently sized one in a different position, and that could make socket contacts very variable in function depending on plug.
--- End quote ---
I seem to recall there's a point in the standard about the allowable size and location of said hole. It's not required, though, and some indeed don't have them.
MadScientist:
The 13A uk plug and socket is simply too big. That’s. It’s major failing it requires big back boxes , hard to make slimline extensions sockets and the insertion force is too great
It’s an example of the perils of a single design criteria , ie safety. When several criteria should have been used . I know older people who physically cannot unplug the plug.
These days with multiple RCBO protection , there’s no need for a single obscession on plug safety , equally is polarisation an issue, in reality
That’s. Not to say the plug is going to disappear but it’s has its drawbacks that’s clear
Monkeh:
--- Quote from: MadScientist on December 22, 2022, 01:07:52 pm ---it requires big back boxes
--- End quote ---
Non-issue
--- Quote ---hard to make slimline extensions sockets
--- End quote ---
Eh? Non-issue.
--- Quote ---equally is polarisation an issue, in reality
--- End quote ---
Yes.
tom66:
--- Quote from: MadScientist on December 22, 2022, 01:07:52 pm ---The 13A uk plug and socket is simply too big. That’s. It’s major failing it requires big back boxes , hard to make slimline extensions sockets and the insertion force is too great
It’s an example of the perils of a single design criteria , ie safety. When several criteria should have been used . I know older people who physically cannot unplug the plug.
These days with multiple RCBO protection , there’s no need for a single obscession on plug safety , equally is polarisation an issue, in reality
That’s. Not to say the plug is going to disappear but it’s has its drawbacks that’s clear
--- End quote ---
The shutters on sockets do prevent electrocution of curious children, for which the hazard current is much less than that for which an RCD would trip at.
The biggest failing (IMO) of the British plug is there's no accommodation for anything other than 13A plugs. It would be nice to see something like a 32A plug built on a similar style (perhaps with backwards compatibility for 13A plugs?) Such plugs could be used for higher power appliances (ovens, for instance) or portable EV charging. I believe Australia allows this, it's common to find 20 and 25A sockets in kitchens. Imagine a 32A kettle! ;D
Polarisation is a real issue. Most table lamps are single pole switched, and we do not have the concept of split phase like the Americans do with their 240V appliances. The same applies to other appliances too.
themadhippy:
--- Quote --- It would be nice to see something like a 32A plug built on a similar style
--- End quote ---
there's ceeforms for that sort of thing,and all things domestic over a couple of KW tend to be hard wired anyways.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version