ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
Increasing demand factors in residential
by gfretwell - 03/28/24 12:43 AM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
Cordless Tools: The Obvious Question
by renosteinke - 03/14/24 08:05 PM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
1 members (Scott35), 270 guests, and 15 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Page 2 of 4 1 2 3 4
#137930 08/04/03 04:34 PM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 1
C
C-H Offline
Member
Quote

So - no takers for the round pin systems then !

Oh, yes, there is! I just started writing a new round pin standard that will offer:

- Backwards compatibility with Europlug
- Compatibility with current continental plugs
- Polarized plugs with and without earth
- 16A rating
- Compact size
- Child-safety Shutters
- Protective rim and insulating sleeves on live pins
- Naturally tolerant to rain
- Two sockets per box in the UK with flush sockets
- -"- on the continent with semi-flush sockets.
- Three sockets per American style box -"-

I did some math on my way home yesterday, and discovered that you can safely use unfused sockets on a ring main provided certain conditions are met. (MCB+no socket at the ends of the ring+RCD if earth wire is downsized)

[This message has been edited by C-H (edited 08-04-2003).]

#137931 08/04/03 06:09 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,520
P
Member
It's been quite warm today here on the Norfolk Coast as well, but I see the railways are now having trouble with buckled rails. It's not that hot! [Linked Image]

Takers for round-pin systems: Well, I'm still quite fond of BS546. I have a lot of BS546 5A plugs on my workshop bench equipment. They're neat, and much less bulky than BS1363, while having an ample rating for the sort of low-power equipment I use them on. The only drawback is that two-pin plugs would never fit three-pin outlets.

C-H,
Do tell us more about this design!

#137932 08/05/03 02:48 PM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 1
C
C-H Offline
Member
Oh, you have seen it. I'll just write a real spec and give it a name.

Does Neoplug sound good?

Uniplug was taken [Linked Image]

#137933 08/05/03 08:15 PM
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,253
D
djk Offline
Member
Ever see the weird twist fitting sometimes used here as an alternative to BS1363
[Linked Image from electrak.co.uk]

The plug: [Linked Image from electrak.co.uk]

They operate a bit like a key in a lock

and contain a BS1362 fuse.

[This message has been edited by djk (edited 08-05-2003).]

[This message has been edited by djk (edited 08-05-2003).]

#137934 08/06/03 07:23 AM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,520
P
Member
I think I have seen pictures of those before (the British equivalent of Twist-Lok, I suppose), but I don't recall ever seeing one "in the flesh."

#137935 08/06/03 03:55 PM
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 1
C
C-H Offline
Member
Paul, Here is a drawing sheet of the Neoplug. Those are probably the worst drawings you have ever seen and I will have to make new ones in the future. The dimensions and the lines do not match.

#137936 08/06/03 05:10 PM
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,520
P
Member
Isn't that remarkably like the Swiss plug? [Linked Image]

#137937 08/06/03 05:45 PM
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,253
D
djk Offline
Member
Paul,

They're used quite a lot here for EPOS and UPS stuff. Particuarly in retail outlets but they're also very handy for computer equipment, servers etc as it's not instantly pluggable out by mistake, you have to think about it!

#137938 08/06/03 05:56 PM
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,253
D
djk Offline
Member
The only problem I would have with that design is that it doesn't sit flush with the wall when in use like BS1363 and some italian plugs.

Could you make it flat?

Why round pins? Don't they produce all kinds of spring/contact problems?

Wouldn't blades or at least squared pins like UK plugs make the socket contacts easier to manufacture?

The chances of CENELEC pushing for a standardised plug is pretty slim, however, there must be some scope for applience connectors that are better than the current IEC ones?

I don't like IEC connectors for a number of reasons:

Generally unshuttered
Prone to overheating and sparking.
and the figure of 8 connectors aren't polarised.

You would need a keyed plug system:

1 for heavy appliences up to 13/16 amps.
1 for lighter appliences say 5-10amps

and one for small appliences like sound equipment, TVs, VCRs etc etc

At least if there was a standard, safe, universally accepted system it would mean that all you'd have to do is change the plugs!

Alternatively..

What about this scenario:

Similar connector system, but have a European standard applience connector fitted to every applience instead of a plug.

Plugs with a small trailing cable with an appropriate receptical could be sold in each country to suit national standards.

If the design was neat enough, rubust and safe it could be used long term eventually becomming the pan european plug.

When connected to the national plug a screw could be inserted to lock the connector together.

#137939 08/06/03 08:27 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 382
H
Member
I love all this compare and contrast - I'm getting a sence of deja vu! [Linked Image]

https://www.electrical-contractor.net/ubb/Forum9/HTML/000167.html

Let me punt my favourite again [Linked Image]
[Linked Image from elkonv.com]
[Linked Image from elkonv.com]

Page 2 of 4 1 2 3 4

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5