K
kreed
- Jan 1, 1970
- 0
I remember a thread on here a couple of years back about under-rated
cables used on IEC leads, unfortunately the situation seems to be
getting worse rather than better.
Just received an IEC lead with a computer power supply, the lead in
question is 1m long, and has a USA plug on one end, and a standard IEC
socket on the other end. The socket is clearly marked 10a 250v. The
cable is marked as 0.5mm squared. The entire 2 layer 3 core insulated
cable is approximately 5mm thick, and has a measurement of about 0.5
ohms on each of the 3 wires from end to end (which gives about 1 ohm
total resistance in the circuit).
Just looking at how thin the cable was, and the light weight of it
alarmed me.
Compared with a 2m length of approved (Cable marked: FUJIKURA AS3181
LIC: 1025) 1.0mm square 3 core cable (approx 7.5 mm diameter) fitted
with similar connections, you get less than .1 ohm per core using the
same meter (fluke 87). (note that this is for 2m - not 1m - I didnt
have a 1 metre length handy to do a comparison)
Considering that the thin cable was obviously intended for use in the
US 120v market, and therefore the same type of appliance used there
will be drawing DOUBLE the current of our 240v system, this makes
matters even worse and a serious risk of fire if used on a 10a
appliance.
cables used on IEC leads, unfortunately the situation seems to be
getting worse rather than better.
Just received an IEC lead with a computer power supply, the lead in
question is 1m long, and has a USA plug on one end, and a standard IEC
socket on the other end. The socket is clearly marked 10a 250v. The
cable is marked as 0.5mm squared. The entire 2 layer 3 core insulated
cable is approximately 5mm thick, and has a measurement of about 0.5
ohms on each of the 3 wires from end to end (which gives about 1 ohm
total resistance in the circuit).
Just looking at how thin the cable was, and the light weight of it
alarmed me.
Compared with a 2m length of approved (Cable marked: FUJIKURA AS3181
LIC: 1025) 1.0mm square 3 core cable (approx 7.5 mm diameter) fitted
with similar connections, you get less than .1 ohm per core using the
same meter (fluke 87). (note that this is for 2m - not 1m - I didnt
have a 1 metre length handy to do a comparison)
Considering that the thin cable was obviously intended for use in the
US 120v market, and therefore the same type of appliance used there
will be drawing DOUBLE the current of our 240v system, this makes
matters even worse and a serious risk of fire if used on a 10a
appliance.