Help needed for buying the right 16a plug please!

[toby lee]

Hello,

I'm putting a PA system in a pub and the mains trips easily so I need to use the blue 16a wall socket. Last time I bought a 13a socket-to-16a plug but it was slightly too small and didn't fit - the end of the plug is 41 mm in diameter, and the socket diameter of the inner ring where the plastic of the plug is supposed to go into is 42 mm.

I'm struggling to find the right plug to buy because manufacturers don't seem to list any info about plug sizes. Would be hugely appreciated if someone could tell me what to look out for, or to point me in the direction of the right 13a socket-16a plug to buy.

 

[Pete999]

Hello,

I'm putting a PA system in a pub and the mains trips easily so I need to use the blue 16a wall socket. Last time I bought a 13a socket-to-16a plug but it was slightly too small and didn't fit - the end of the plug is 41 mm in diameter, and the socket diameter of the inner ring where the plastic of the plug is supposed to go into is 42 mm.

I'm struggling to find the right plug to buy because manufacturers don't seem to list any info about plug sizes. Would be hugely appreciated if someone could tell me what to look out for, or to point me in the direction of the right 13a socket-16a plug to buy.

Try looking at some of the Electrical product Catalogues for details, I used a lot of MK stuff and the info was good never caused me any problems.

 

[ipf]

Why is the 'mains tripping easily'....and what's to say it won't using the 16amp socket.
I'll suggest getting someone qualified to investigate.

 

[Pete999]

Why is the 'mains tripping easily'....and what's to say it won't using the 16amp socket.
I'll suggest getting someone qualified to investigate.

Agree get a n Electrician in to investigate the problem, messing with it yourself could be inherently dangerous.

 

[Jim_e_Jib]

Hello,

I'm putting a PA system in a pub and the mains trips easily so I need to use the blue 16a wall socket. Last time I bought a 13a socket-to-16a plug but it was slightly too small and didn't fit - the end of the plug is 41 mm in diameter, and the socket diameter of the inner ring where the plastic of the plug is supposed to go into is 42 mm.

I'm struggling to find the right plug to buy because manufacturers don't seem to list any info about plug sizes. Would be hugely appreciated if someone could tell me what to look out for, or to point me in the direction of the right 13a socket-16a plug to buy.

As others have said, you need to find out what is tripping and why. It could be a fault with the circuit or your equipment. What power output is your PA system? If it's many Kilowatts, running multiple high power amps from a 13A plug may not be the best setup.

 

[Toneyz]

Is this existing 16A that has been installed for this purpose? I have in the past installed a socket for this purpose that will turn off via a fire alarm relay

 

[shaun1]

I'm assuming the outlet os a 16A single phase socket (standard for this kind of thing). If you are buying a blue (200-250v) 2P + E 6H 16A plug then it should be compatable. They are a standard size for each current rating.

With regards to tripping it may be that there is a socket circuit designed for cleaning Power, or loaded up by other devices, so the 16A socket is a dedicated stahe supply. But always worth checking.

 

[shaun1]

Is this existing 16A that has been installed for this purpose? I have in the past installed a socket for this purpose that will turn off via a fire alarm relay

They are also often linked to a sound level meter in places where noise outside the venue is an issue. So the PA will shut ofd if its too loud.

 

[Ned Gibbons]

This could well be an issue with one of the amps. Get an electrician to test the amount of inrush current when they switch on.

 

[Wilko]

Hi - just reading the original post with first coffee of the day - are you sure it's 16A and not maybe 32A?
Following @Pete999 idea - here's some specs :
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/DataSheets/MK/MK_COMMANDO_Tech.pdf

Just note that many of these don't have RCD protection. And imagining the worst, you've been directed to use an unprotected outlet with equipment that's known to be causing trips... As others have stated, this needs properly sorting.

 

[shaun1]

A rack full of amps will have a high start up in rush current from the power supplies in them. Measuring that isnt really something you can do with standard equipmemt as it will last for a few cycles. The way to avoid trips would be to power them on one at a time instead of just plugging the whole rack in. All the equipment should of course be tested regularly, which for this type of equipment is often monthly or even eveey time it is re prepped foe a new hire.

If the outlet is 32A you will probably need a small distro box to give you some protected 16a or 13a (or even powercon and IEC). You can get rack mountable power strips as well

 

[toby lee]

Thanks for the responses. It seems like the plug is 32a then if a 16a plug won't fit. It's not my pub and I've just been hired to do the PA system so not within my power to get an electrician in. The system is about 4000 watts RMS. So my best course of action would be to get/hire a distro?

 

[davesparks]

Thanks for the responses. It seems like the plug is 32a then if a 16a plug won't fit. It's not my pub and I've just been hired to do the PA system so not within my power to get an electrician in. The system is about 4000 watts RMS. So my best course of action would be to get/hire a distro?

If you read the label on the socket it will tell you what type and rating it is.

What do you mean by 'do' the PA system? Is this a permanent/ semi permanent installation?

 

[Pete999]

Thanks for the responses. It seems like the plug is 32a then if a 16a plug won't fit. It's not my pub and I've just been hired to do the PA system so not within my power to get an electrician in. The system is about 4000 watts RMS. So my best course of action would be to get/hire a distro?

"If you have been "hired to do the PA system" then I would have thought it your responsibility to find and secure the correct equipment, after all that's what he is paying for.

 

[toby lee]

A promoter is putting on a one-off event in this pub and has hired my speakers for the night. I'm trying to find and secure the correct equipment - that's literally why I made this thread