Thoughts on Unswitched Sockets

[BluSparx]

Just a quick question, following doing some work today at a property where there is a small child who likes to stick things into items such as the dvd player etc.

The customer feels that unswitched sockets that are there are unsafe as always live and if the child sticks his toys in then he will get a shock ---- literally.

I am going back to swap them at her request for switched ones, however what are peoples thoughts on what they would advise regarding unswitched sockets as I can't find anything in the regs which says they should be switched and you can still buy unswitched ones.

My personal opinion is switched all the way 1) they are cheaper & 2) they are safer as can be switched off at the wall anyway.

 

[rocker]

Oh THOSE things. TBH I havent seen one of them for a good 10 years.

 

[PC Electrics]

Have a look [video=youtube;d-WhFgaqCX0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-WhFgaqCX0[/video]

very "illuminating"

IMO, this is why the ESC are right to run their "Plug Into Safety" campaign. The best way to protect children from a shock must be to install an RCD.

 

[Des 56]

very "illuminating"

I The best way to protect children from a shock must be to install an RCD.

The best way to protect them from shock, is to make sure the bedroom door is shut tight when tumping the wife

 

[Risteard]

very "illuminating"

IMO, this is why the ESC are right to run their "Plug Into Safety" campaign. The best way to protect children from a shock must be to install an RCD.

LOL Leaving aside Des' suggestion surely the best way is to prevent them from receiving a shock in the first place. I wouldn't like to be relying solely on RCDs.

 

[Sintra]

Exactly as there are a good few faulty ones about.

 

[Liberator]

When I'm PAT testing for customers I always advise that sockets must be of the switching type.

If you misses was lying there Break dancing on the floor with smoke coming from her ears and an iron in her hand, how would you isolate the power?

I could pull the plug, but in a panic situation - if u manage to find the clarity of thought for what to do ur going to want to turn something "off". Ur not gonna touch the plug if that's glowing and smoking too.

I know, I know - it's only hypothetical, most of us wouldn't want to isolate the supply if our missus were getting fried - but u get the point

 

[antimatter]

Thanks for the heads up on this.

Posted the link on my facey page, to make people aware of the dangers of these "safety devices".

 

[pevvers]

MK do a grand selection of sockets, that take more than just something poked in the earth terminal to open the live ones. They're a right pain to get anything in, even when trying for testing purposes!

 

[Paul.M]

Great post. Everyone in Britain should look at this. To sum it all up:-

1. Teach children not to play with sockets same as you do with matches/lighter.
2. Buy quality SWITCHED sockets.
3. Rcd protected.
4. Don't use "safety" plugs if all of the above is in place.
5. Any queries about safety, get a bs2391 electrician to do a test and risk assessment of your home. What price can you put on your family and home? You have a m.o.t. each year for your car???

 

[BluSparx]

Thanks to all that posted and gave their opinions

My thoughts are definatly switched options all the way anyway and my customer has decided she wants switched options in every room - hey i aint complaining more work =more money

 

[JUD]

......get a bs2391 electrician to do a test and risk assessment of your home....

 

[Paul.M]

Jud, what I was trying to get across to any member of the public that may be reading this is that if they have any concerns about electrical safety in their house to get professional advise from a qualified electrician (2391) and not "dave" from down the pub. It's not just sockets that can be bad for kids, showers can be bad for adults if not protected correctly. Sorry if previous post was misunderstood but it is something I feel strongly about.

 

[Risteard]

When I'm PAT testing for customers I always advise that sockets must be of the switching type.

On what basis?

 

[Liberator]

Simply on the basis that the connected appliance needs to be switchable at source by a person attending an incident should electrocution of the user occur.

 

[Liberator]

An example would be at a womens only gym - the owners had wired the hair driers straight into unswitched fused spurs so the hair driers couldn't be pinched. This is a hand held appliance, any spark or pat tester, or husband lol knows what a bashing hair driers take from women and hair dressers - anyway, showers, saunas and sweaty (conductive) users, using 2kw appliances prone to damage.

How will another gym member or staff member disconnect the power source when somebody is being electrocuted on the floor.