Folks,
Not looking to detract from the very good Original post by Aussie, but this was mentioned in a recent Break-In magazine (Amateur Radio magazine).
I will type it out verbatim so that there is no confusion if I try and "edit" it.
The article in the ------- issue of Break-in about insulated pin mains plugs is correct but there is another issue with "our" mains plug, which has surfaced in the last year or so:
Several major regions in China use a mains plug having the same "foot-print" as the Australia/New Zealand plug.
However, they are made to a different standard which requires the pins of the plug to be 1mm longer than ours; this extra length means that during insertion or withdrawl, contact is made in the socket-outlet at a stage where it is possible for fingers to reach the live pins.
(The pin length for AS/NZS 3112 is 17.06mm +/- 0.4mm) {My input}
The Chinese pins are 18.1mm +/- 0.3mm.
I've seen several plug-packs with the longer pins as well as occasional moulded cord sets on imported gear.
Plugs with these longer pins are illegal and actually dangerous; they should be discarded.
Fortunately, the move to insulated pin shanks will eliminate this hazard.
That comment came from Gary Henderson, ZL2TNH.
Hmm, longer pins, I would never have thought about that.
{Sorry about the thread-jack Aussie}
{Message edited for a couple of typo's
[This message has been edited by Trumpy (edited 01-06-2006).]
