"The Great Debate" - Plug Top or just Plug?

[Dustydazzler]

plug top or just plug

 

[Dave OCD]

And how many table lamps actually use old GLS filament lamps these days, very few I'd suggest. All the table lamp manufacturers who fit 3 amp fuses during manufacture can't be very bright either I suppose ?

 

[Dustydazzler]

Only ever use 13a and 5a fuses in plug tops

 

[telectrix]

With incandescent lights a 3 amp fuse will often blow when the bulb fails, a 5amp one won't.

But the fuse is to protect the cable not the lamp on the end of it.

As you say: some Electricians aren't very bright.

what about the lamps/bulbs along the circuit, not at the end? don't they require protection also?

 

[telectrix]

Only ever use 13a and 5a fuses in plug tops

both at the same time? piggybacked? and what fuses do you fit in plug bottoms

 

[DPG]

what about the lamps/bulbs along the circuit, not at the end? don't they require protection also?

Don't wind him up Tel. That's my job

 

[ferg]

The 3a fuse is a habit from pat testing where rewirable plug tops on items <700w should have 3a fuses. Anything else 13a.

Although a 750w led bulb in the table light would make me a very bright electrician indeed.
It would certainly make it easier to see while I'm terminating my satellite cable.

 

[littlespark]

Some electricians are not very bright, are they?

There’s no need to get personal.
It’s simply a difference of opinion. I’m not saying what’s right or what’s wrong.... just what I call it.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

And how many table lamps actually use old GLS filament lamps these days, very few I'd suggest. All the table lamp manufacturers who fit 3 amp fuses during manufacture can't be very bright either I suppose ?

Not many I agree. You are right about manufacturers. Most don't know the fuse is to protect the cable not the lamp on the end of it.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

Only ever use 13a and 5a fuses in plug tops

How? There is nowhere to put a fuse in the top.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

what about the lamps/bulbs along the circuit, not at the end? don't they require protection also?

Bulbs have built in protection. Most of the rest of the world don't have fuses in plugs and don't come to harm.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

The 3a fuse is a habit from pat testing where rewirable plug tops on items <700w should have 3a fuses. Anything else 13a.

Plug tops are not rewireable, plugs are. You are not very bright are you?

But anyway that is rubbish. Many items below 700w have switch on surges that would instantly blow a 3 amp fuse. Anyone who decides on a fuse on the running load of an appliance is not very bright.

The fuse is to protect the cable not the appliance. As such a 13 amp fuse would be OK on most appliances, or in Europe the 16amp MCB feeding the circuit.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

The 3a fuse is a habit from pat testing where rewirable plug tops on items <700w should have 3a fuses.

And mandatory for old appliances (often table lamps) that have 0.5mm² cable fitted.

Only ever use 13a and 5a fuses in plug tops

Except presumably when you encounter one of said 0.5mm² cables.

 

[DPG]

George you are very condescending and you don't half generalise. You seem to think nobody is very bright except you. But yet you only seem to bang on about the same 2 topics (plugs and manufacturer's instructions). Surely with all your wisdom you should be offering advice on some of the tricky questions that get asked.

 

[GeorgeCooke]

Understood. I know there are some very bright sparks. But sadly not all.

 

[Dave OCD]

Bulbs have built in protection. Most of the rest of the world don't have fuses in plugs and don't come to harm.

I'd agree that years ago the reputable filament lamp manufacturers incorporated a means of 'fusing' in their products but when such lamps became out of favour due to energy consumption vs lumens the market was seemingly flooded with cheap far Eastern lamps - I'm not sure these had or have any inbuilt protection at all and it's the momentary 'dead short' that sometimes occurs as they fail which will blow the fuse or even 6a MCBs at the CU.
But apart from all that I'll continue to fit 3 amp fuses where I deem appropriate.
By the way George, with you being such a stickler for correct terminology I'm quite surprised at your cavalier use of the word 'bulbs' .