Portable Appliances Fitted With IEC 60309 "Commando Plugs"

[Brightspark2]

I disagree E54...I dont think this is normal or too British standards...

How does a 4 way adaptor with a 16A plug on a 20A breaker comply with British standards?...

You mention the un-fused plug tops in the EU but doesnt the OPD at the origin provide the over current protection?...

Lower the rating of the MCB and this would be similar to an EU setup...

 

[Engineer54]

Exactly, I am fully aware of the difference and I do not appreciate you saying I don’t understand the relevance. This is an industrial installation however extension leads are being used (quite frequently) to add equipment to the production. So I am assessing what requires changing and what does not.

Perhaps if I explain in more detail the installation we are discussing it will clear things up. It is an electronics factory producing PCB's and various other things. So at any one place on the line you can expect to come across large three phase machinery in addition to standard 230v appliances like PC's Monitors and test equipment.

The problem has been caused when the line has expanded outside of its original design requirements, instead of installing additional outlet correctly rated for the appliances to be used extensions have been added to allow the extra appliances to be connected.

You have made assumptions about myself and the job which are incorrect, however I do realise you are working from limited information so perhaps this explains why.

Just so you are aware I am fully qualified industrial electrician who carries out installation work regularly not just a fool with a P.A.T tester.

"And anything that is altered or modified, as to be rendered as now being none standard, needs careful assessment!!"

That is exactly what I am trying to discuss with this thread.

Good, at least we now know your not a so-called DI trying to ply his limited knowledge to industrial installations/situations!! Thanks for clearing that one up for us, sometimes it's difficult to assess!! lol!!

Basically you have answered your own thinking here. If the company has extended production lines without making provisions for those additional electrical line requirements, then this is where you start. We both know that extension leads used on production lines are not acceptable, and should be replaced with suitably fixed outlets where the new equipment has been installed.

As far as tools or equipment being altered/modified and i don't just mean change of plug-top, (remember that the same equipment will available in many western countries where unfused plug tops are the norm) then it's a case of who is taking the responsibility for those modifications, the company or the person that has modified them!!"

 

[Engineer54]

I disagree E54...I dont think this is normal or too British standards...

How does a 4 way adaptor with a 16A plug on a 20A breaker comply with British standards?...

You mention the un-fused plug tops in the EU but doesnt the OPD at the origin provide the over current protection?...

Lower the rating of the MCB and this would be similar to an EU setup...

I think i've already stated that extension leads are not acceptable!! lol!! I am referring to the unfused 16A socket outlets, as opposed to 13A outlets in industrial installations. 16A /20A OCPD are completely acceptable, depending on the circuit make-up etc, without the need of any RCD protection, which can spell disaster on a production line.

 

[enlighting]

Glad were on the same page now gents

The use of extensions with 60309 plugs for low load 230v appliances and the use of low load appliances with the same plugs is the problem here and one that will have to be ressolved. Im going to speak to the client tommorow and come up a plan to modify the offending itmes on the lines one at a time to a more suitable setup.

 

[cobrauk]

I am very old 63 today lol but i seem to remember years ago having 16amp 3 pin round plug that had a fuse as a live pin or am i getting old ?

 

[Engineer54]

I am very old 63 today lol but i seem to remember years ago having 16amp 3 pin round plug that had a fuse as a live pin or am i getting old ?

Yes and no, ...Yes there was a round pin plug top that used a screw-in fuse as the live pin, but it was 13A not 16A. Made by D&S and was used in most council housing estate projects after the war until the late 50's... They were made to fit standard BESA boxes rather than purpose made back boxes. The same went for the light switch made by D&S. The standard 13A plug top we know today, very quickly gained favour over that and other early 13A plug top designs!!