How to install USA sockets legally

[Turbo13]

Hi,
One of my clients want to install USA standart 110V sockets at his home.
Maybe someone can advise how to do it legally.
I think American sockets isn't a British Standard
Very grateful for the advice.

 

[Adam W]

TLC direct sell them. I can't post you a link because it is forbidden.
If you go on their website and type 'american' into the search feature it should bring up the product.
They're made by Crabtree.

 

[derek preece]

Has he got electrical equipment that can handle 230V or would he require a step down transformer as well?

 

[Strima]

Are American plug tops fused?

 

[Adam W]

Are American plug tops fused?

No, you might need to make a few alterations to make it comply with BS7671, such as adjusting the cable size, protective device rating, number of points served, and presumably you'd need an inverter as well, to make it go and not blow stuff up.

 

[oldtimer]

Are American plug tops fused?

Emm no they are not plus their equipment is 115-120v 60Hz and not 50Hz like us

 

[Strima]

Emm no they are not plus their equipment is 115-120v 60Hz and not 50Hz like us

Cheers, I was aware of the voltage and frequency differences but not about protection.

Begs the question as to why someone would want them fitted, could end in tears...

 

[PC Electrics]

http://www.******************/Products/CB7062.html
So they do, but is it okay to fit them in the UK? Presumably they don't conform to required British Standards (I notice the TLC listing makes no mention of this).

If the above is not a concern, presumably he wants to run American gear? (UK gear doesn't come with American plugs on) Which is 120V isn't it? So won't you need to transform the UKs 240V down?

 

[Octopus]

Why not fit shaver points all over the house!!

lol

 

[oldtimer]

Tell him "When in Rome"

 

[snowhead]

I bet all the U.S airbases in the U.k are fitted with them.
But I also bet that they generate there own 60hz supply.
And I don't think any U.K legislation applies there.

They use 120v (light) for low powered items and 240 (heavy) for high powered stuff, washing machines etc.
Phase and Neutral and Phase + Phase

 

[mogga]

If our a scam member phone them IMHO Id say NO to any request to fit them as they arent BS and hence coundnt conform to the BGB in any way shape or fashion ??

 

[oldtimer]

I bet all the U.S airbases in the U.k are fitted with them.
But I also bet that they generate there own 60hz supply.
And I don't think any U.K legislation applies there.

They use 120v (light) for low powered items and 240 (heavy) for high powered stuff, washing machines etc.
Phase and Neutral and Phase + Phase

They are not the only ones our MOD build English planned house in Scotland and Germany where they would not get planning permission except they deam MOD land as English.

And now you are going to ask whats the difference well Scottish building standards are at a higher level and how you can tell MOD houses is the open drains from the kitchen sink

 

[micknew]

http://www.******************/Products/CB7062.html
So they do, but is it okay to fit them in the UK? Presumably they don't conform to required British Standards (I notice the TLC listing makes no mention of this).

If the above is not a concern, presumably he wants to run American gear? (UK gear doesn't come with American plugs on) Which is 120V isn't it? So won't you need to transform the UKs 240V down?

Definately need a transformer, cannot use a shaver point unless load is a shaver.

 

[Turbo13]

Thanks for the very valuable advice.
In my case, the customer often have guests from the USA, which comes with a laptops and a hairdryers :ihih:

 

[Adam W]

Is that the only reason?
I would suggest the customer provide conversion transformers, or provide a hairdryer for their guests which works on a proper voltage.

 

[Strima]

So really all he needs is a transformer to knock the voltage down.

Just shows how ignorant some Yanks are, assuming they can travel the world and just plug their hair-dryer in where they want. :lol:

Aren't most laptop power supplies adapted for both voltages and frequencies?

 

[Engineer54]

First off, Crabtree, MK and other accessory manufactures don't only supply the UK market, we have used these face plates in the middle east that tend to use a variety of different outlets for different voltages bands, including the Yank and UK standard accessories...

Why someone would want to install American standard accessories in the UK is beyond me, but i've found over the years they tend to always bring or try to bring America with them wherever they go!!. ...lol!!

As others have stated these outlets can't be safely used on 230V systems least of all ring circuits. They have a 230V outlet that are similar to the 115V design but with a different pin configuration. None of them fused!!! Can't see how any Yank outlet style plates will conform to BS7671!! Apart from anything else they, and the plug tops are crap, thinnest 16A flat pins of any plug top i know of...

If your registered with one of these scam providers, seek there legal advise before doing anything along these lines!!

 

[Knobhead]

When I built my darkroom in the loft of my house I had acquired a fair amount of “Yank” 110V equipment. To be honest I wasn’t impressed with the plugs but decided to stick with them. Most were moulded plugs, so I installed 3 110V radials feeding the new sockets from a 1.5 KVA transformer (phase and neutral). The darkroom was my domain so no danger to any others in the family.

Unshielded outlets do not conform in any way to domestic installations. Unless it’s a controlled situation.


The darkroom was my hide away, once the door was shut and locked I was in my own little world.
Totally autonomous to the rest of the house. Filtered air supply from outside, filtered temperature controlled water, sound and heat insulated, it’s own sound system. My retreat! Until she worked out which MCB fed it!

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Not only do American bases use American plugs and sockets, but they are also used in their personnel quarters, which are frequently off base.
There are a number of little villages in dotted round East Anglia which are built to look like American villages.
I've also worked on a Hilton hotel which had a single American 110V socket in each room. Unfortunately I can't recall any details about the power supplies, other than that one unit supplied two rooms.

 

[Litttle Shonet]

provide a hairdryer for their guests which works on a proper voltage

By this I suppose you mean a 'mans Voltage', not some wussy american toy voltage.

LOL

 

[Engineer54]

Not only do American bases use American plugs and sockets, but they are also used in their personnel quarters, which are frequently off base.
There are a number of little villages in dotted round East Anglia which are built to look like American villages.
I've also worked on a Hilton hotel which had a single American 110V socket in each room. Unfortunately I can't recall any details about the power supplies, other than that one unit supplied two rooms.

As i said, the Yanks can't operate without bringing America with them!! lol!! Probably got a special dispensation for these off base villages, they seem to be able to dictate whatever they want to the British Government. Be interesting to know who paid for the distribution TX's supplying these off base villages though?? lol!!!

I can understand Hotels and such providing 115V outlets in rooms/suites, saves them issuing converter units, which many probably went missing at an alarming rate....lol!!