Replacing a 13A plug fuse with solid brass

[John-SJW]

I read once, never seen one for sale, that there is a solid brass replacement for the standard 13A fuse in a 13A plug. This is to eliminate the fusing in the plug, which is handy when having a heavy appliance plugged in behind itself, like under worktops which are isolated and fused by an FCU.

Anyone know where they are available, if they are?

On a dedicated radial with its own MCB and say a 20A isolator switch a washing machine can have a 15A fuseless round pin socket and plug. That is fine, but many manufacturers say that if you remove the 13A moulded plug the guarantee is void. This would never hold up court if an appliance is connected to regulation being sound and safe, but it is avoiding the hassle factor from these irresponsible makers.

 

[Dave OCD]

Very neatly done too, but there's no live pin sticking out of the other side eh ? ?

 

[Dave OCD]

The thread is about two points:

1) Where to buy solid links for 13A plugs?
2) Manufacturers not honouring warrantees because a moulded plug is cut off to hard wire the appliance or fit a round pin fuseless 15A plug.

If you have evidence of point 2 ever being enforced by a manufacturer successfully I'd be very surprised.

 

[freddo]

Very neatly done too, but there's no live pin sticking out of the other side eh ? ?

 

[John-SJW]

If you have evidence of point 2 ever being enforced by a manufacturer successfully I'd be very surprised.

Many Sparks do all sorts not to invalidate the warrantee. I am sure in court the makers would lose of an applaince conform to current regs and it is electrically safe and sound. But that is no comfort when the maker is being awkward. Electricians do not want the hassle factor, even if they know they are right, It loses them time and money.

 

[James]

The thread is about two points:

1) Where to buy solid links for 13A plugs?
2) Manufacturers not honouring warrantees because a moulded plug is cut off to hard wire the appliance or fit a round pin fuseless 15A plug.

I have provided you with a quote but not received an order yet.

can you show a manufacturers guarantee that forbids replacing the plug?

 

[nicebutdim]

The thread is about two points:


2) Manufacturers not honouring warrantees because a moulded plug is cut off to hard wire the appliance or fit a round pin fuseless 15A plug.

Which manufacturers are you referring to and on what basis have they invalidated warranties?

If the manufacturer stipulates that an appliance must be fused, then this requirement is met as you have an FCU in place. It's possible that they might refuse to honour any warranty claim on their fitted flex, but they'd be hard pressed to invalidate an appliance warranty on this basis.

Not sure your thinking this through as the very suggestion is indefensible. If I buy a new car and subsequently modify the suspension, it is quite possible that any claim for failure of suspension components bushes/joints etc will be refused, but warranty of engine/transmission/electrical components will remain intact. In order for a manufacturer to refuse to honour a warranty claim, they must demonstrate a valid reason for doing so and removal of an appliance plug certainly doesn't meet that criteria.

 

[westward10]

Many Sparks do all sorts not to invalidate the warrantee. I am sure in court the makers would lose of an applaince conform to current regs and it is electrically safe and sound. But that is no comfort when the maker is being awkward. Electricians do not want the hassle factor, even if they know they are right, It loses them time and money.

Again what Regs are you referring to. Are you ever going to confirm this.

 

[nicebutdim]

Again what Regs are you referring to. Are you ever going to confirm this.

You know that's never going to be answered in any meaningful way.

 

[nicebutdim]

One last point...

I'd much rather deal with the possibility of arguing over a cut off plug, than explain why an appliance engineer found a glorified bolt where the fuse ought to be.

 

[telectrix]

The thread is about two points:

1) Where to buy solid links for 13A plugs?
2) Manufacturers not honouring warrantees because a moulded plug is cut off to hard wire the appliance or fit a round pin fuseless 15A plug.

To boldly Troll where no Troll has gone before.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

There's ordinary trolling and there's superior-quality trolling that asks relevant and provocative questions which seems to be one of the OP's gambits. In this case even after 85 posts I am not convinced the correct answer has been stated explicitly and while acknowledging the trollish nature of the posting this suggests that it is not actually a 'silly question.'

My understanding is this: To supply or fit a plug or modify the installation of a plug on a domestic appliance in a professional capacity, is to place such a plug or modification on the market. It is therefore required to comply with the 'Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994.' Part I requires that any plug designed to engage in a socket-outlet made to the dimensions of BS1363:1984 must incorporate a fuse-link to BS 1362. Since the solid link does not comply with BS1362, even if the plug complies with BS1363 and the completed installation as a whole provides no lesser degree of safety than it would with a BS1362 fuse-link fitted, the act of supplying the modified plug is in contravention of the P&S(S)R which is a product safety regulation not under the scope of BS7671 and cannot be exempted within a BS7671 departure.

Please do not be distracted by the option in section 6 paragraph (2) '...shall contain or be accompanied by a fuse link...' which appears to condone taping an approved fuse-link to the outside of the plug fitted with a solid link. I do not think that is a valid interpretation.

The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994

These Regulations re–enact with modifications the provisions of the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/603) and make provision for the first time for certain requirements to be satisfied in relation to appliances.

www.legislation.gov.uk

 

[David Prosser]

There's ordinary trolling and there's superior-quality trolling that asks relevant and provocative questions which seems to be one of the OP's gambits. In this case even after 85 posts I am not convinced the correct answer has been stated explicitly and while acknowledging the trollish nature of the posting this suggests that it is not actually a 'silly question.'

My understanding is this: To supply or fit a plug or modify the installation of a plug on a domestic appliance in a professional capacity, is to place such a plug or modification on the market. It is therefore required to comply with the 'Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994.' Part I requires that any plug designed to engage in a socket-outlet made to the dimensions of BS1363:1984 must incorporate a fuse-link to BS 1362. Since the solid link does not comply with BS1362, even if the plug complies with BS1363 and the completed installation as a whole provides no lesser degree of safety than it would with a BS1362 fuse-link fitted, the act of supplying the modified plug is in contravention of the P&S(S)R which is a product safety regulation not under the scope of BS7671 and cannot be exempted within a BS7671 departure.

Please do not be distracted by the option in section 6 paragraph (2) '...shall contain or be accompanied by a fuse link...' which appears to condone taping an approved fuse-link to the outside of the plug fitted with a solid link. I do not think that is a valid interpretation.

The Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994

These Regulations re–enact with modifications the provisions of the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/603) and make provision for the first time for certain requirements to be satisfied in relation to appliances.

www.legislation.gov.uk

Just beat me to it !!!

 

[telectrix]

brass has some scrap value. use a steel roofing bolt with the head cut off.

 

[Dave OCD]

View attachment 90958

Ah ! You've been very creative and borrowed a 2nd neutral pin from another plug ! ?

 

[DPG]

Ah ! You've been very creative and borrowed a 2nd neutral pin from another plug ! ?

He's obviously a pro.