ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade Non-US Electrical Systems & Trades Just came across schuko in a new installation here in Ireland

Hmm. This is quite thought provoking.

There have been various rules introduced here in recent years which have resulted in many second-hand places (aka "Junk shops") refusing to sell electrical equipment anymore for fear of having some Trading Standards officer descend upon them clutching his rule book.

One unfortunate aspect is that some places will sell a vintage radio as "For collectors only - Not to be used," to cover themselves, and to reinforce that they resort to the sheer vandalism of cutting off the cord at the back and throwing it away.

As getting authentic replacements for some types is getting very difficult, this is particularly annoying, and it makes me mad to think that this is all down to some bureaucrats ruling that really should never have been applied to existing equipment in the first place.

So if I wanted to permanently install NEMA receptacles run from a 120V tranformer to feed the U.S. equipment on my bench, would that actually be illegal? (In a private residence.)

By the way, I can't recall if you've already answered this, but are 110V power tools common on building sites in Ireland?

Ah... So as you stated above, you can sell, say, an NEMA 1-15 plug so long as it comes with a warning.

There's seems to be another catch in the requirement to meet IEC 884-1 though. I'm not familiar that standard. Does anybody know its basic requirements?

That's the way it works in Sweden too. They have Japanese plugs and sockets on sale here. (Labled as American)

These sockets appear to be legal (found on step down transformers) if the sockets are recessed or a have a protective rim to prevent fingers from touching the live prongs. This really is the only reason you can't sell NEMA sockets in the EU.


Now that's quite some loophole! IEC 60884-1 Plugs and socket-outlets for household and similar purposes: General Requirements is one of the most widely accepted standards in the world. It has been reworked and amended over the years to cover almost all plugs and sockets including NEMA plugs. It is unusual in the sense that it's used directly in its IEC form and not in an adopted EN form.

Paul,

Yup, ALL power tools used on building sites or for commercial work i.e. anything other than some guy drilling a hole in his living room wall, must be 110V connected with yellow ceeform plugs (like in the UK)
(centre tapped xformer 55V + 55V (ish))