Paul,
I remember seeing 16amp fuses to that spec on sale here in the 1980s !
They subsequently disappeared!
3KW appliences can pose problems here with 13Amp fuses particularly where the voltage is very definitely 220V.
I've also seen people simply wrap the live wire around the live pin by-passing the fuse.
Solder it onto it.
or even open up the fuse and replace the fusewire inside with a 16amp type instead!
I've also seen plugs with a peice of heavy guage cable saldered into the fuse carrier as the fuse kept blowing with appliences like tumble dryers.
Bypassing the fusing over here would generally only expose you to 20Amps though. so not quite as dangerous as in the UK.
Ideally here 3KW appliences need to be connected to a schuko or BS546 plug as 13amps is only barely enough.
It's become less of a problem as newer appliences are rated for 13amp max ( at 230V)
Older ones were designed around 16amp 220V so the maximum wattage is a little lower than it was 10+ years ago.
[This message has been edited by djk (edited 08-17-2003).]
[This message has been edited by djk (edited 08-17-2003).]
