fused British mains plugs

[Franc Zabkar]

I have been asked to fit Australian mains plugs to a hair drier and a
styling wand, both made for the British market. One has a 3A fused
plug, the other a 5A. As we don't use fused plugs in Australia, I'm
hoping that the drier and wand are internally fused. Unfortunately
neither unit is designed to be opened, so I was hoping that someone
from the UK could explain the British safety standards to me. Would
both devices use a thermal fuse, as they appear to do in Australia? If
so, then why the extra fuse in the plug?


- Franc Zabkar

 

[Nigel]

I have been asked to fit Australian mains plugs to a hair drier and a
styling wand, both made for the British market. One has a 3A fused
plug, the other a 5A. As we don't use fused plugs in Australia, I'm
hoping that the drier and wand are internally fused. Unfortunately
neither unit is designed to be opened, so I was hoping that someone
from the UK could explain the British safety standards to me. Would
both devices use a thermal fuse, as they appear to do in Australia? If
so, then why the extra fuse in the plug?

Usually those kind of products have an internal cut-out feature. In
addition, they should be certified to EU standards (have the 'CE' mark on
them) and they are usually double-insulated.

British plugs are legally required to conform to British Standard BS1363A
which is why they are fitted with a fused plug.

Australia has a more relaxed, 'let 'em fry' attitude towards domestic
electrical safety.

 

[Tim Mitchell]

Usually those kind of products have an internal cut-out feature. In
addition, they should be certified to EU standards (have the 'CE' mark on
them) and they are usually double-insulated.

British plugs are legally required to conform to British Standard BS1363A
which is why they are fitted with a fused plug.

Australia has a more relaxed, 'let 'em fry' attitude towards domestic
electrical safety.

The fuse in the plug is there only to protect the cable (i.e. if you
nick the cable and short it out, the plug fuse will blow before the
cable melts and catches fire). So the fuse in the plug is rated to match
the cable, if the appliance has 3 amp rated cable, the plug fuse would
be 3 amp.

If the appliance itself requires protection this would be fitted
internally.

 

[Franc Zabkar]

The fuse in the plug is there only to protect the cable (i.e. if you
nick the cable and short it out, the plug fuse will blow before the
cable melts and catches fire). So the fuse in the plug is rated to match
the cable, if the appliance has 3 amp rated cable, the plug fuse would
be 3 amp.

If the appliance itself requires protection this would be fitted
internally.

Thanks to both for your help. About ten years ago I worked in
Singapore where the same type of plug is used. IIRC, some appliances
had a fused version of this plug, while others did not, so the purpose
of the fuse is somewhat confusing, at least in Singapore.


- Franc Zabkar

 

[David Lesher]

I have been asked to fit Australian mains plugs to a hair drier and a
styling wand, both made for the British market. One has a 3A fused
plug, the other a 5A. As we don't use fused plugs in Australia, I'm
hoping that the drier and wand are internally fused. Unfortunately
neither unit is designed to be opened, so I was hoping that someone
from the UK could explain the British safety standards to me. Would
both devices use a thermal fuse, as they appear to do in Australia? If
so, then why the extra fuse in the plug?

The UK used to at least, provide ring wiring - the conductors
went in a loop:

breaker panel - outlet #1 - #2 - #3 - #4 - breaker panel.

That way there were 2 parallel conductors back to the panel. They
were fused at ?30A? typically.

That's 7200 watts vs the US's 2400. Hence it made sense to protect
the appliance itself.

 

[Roy Wiggins]

Looks as though you would be better off using an adaptor from British plus
to Australian plug. Almost certainly not fused elsewhere - hence the fused
plug. You can get a three way socket set for British 13 Amp plugs. you could
then put an Australian plug on its lead and retain the existing fused plugs
on your appliances.
Regards
Roy

I have been asked to fit Australian mains plugs to a hair drier and a
styling wand, both made for the British market. One has a 3A fused
plug, the other a 5A. As we don't use fused plugs in Australia, I'm
hoping that the drier and wand are internally fused. Unfortunately
neither unit is designed to be opened, so I was hoping that someone
from the UK could explain the British safety standards to me. Would
both devices use a thermal fuse, as they appear to do in Australia? If
so, then why the extra fuse in the plug?

The UK used to at least, provide ring wiring - the conductors
went in a loop:

breaker panel - outlet #1 - #2 - #3 - #4 - breaker panel.

That way there were 2 parallel conductors back to the panel. They
were fused at ?30A? typically.

That's 7200 watts vs the US's 2400. Hence it made sense to protect
the appliance itself.





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