why british plug are the best

[sibbits]

http://www.buzzfeed.com/richardhjames/this-is-why-british-plugs-are-the-best-in-the-world

 

[djw]

Er, page not found

 

[ian.settle1]

Er, page not found

That is because the grin smiley is part of the web address no doubt

 

[djw]

That is because the grin smiley is part of the web address no doubt

Thanks for that, just me being thick!!

 

[DPG]

The quality of design of the 13A plug top is well known. The only issue I think it falls down on (and which I think is tested as part of some standards) is the 'pull-out' test. If someone trips over the flex, then the plug does not pull cleanly out of the socket, but can end up partially-removed, or can even come apart depending on the force.

The European/American plugs fare better that ours in this test. But only that one I think.

Daz

 

[Geordie Spark]

Does anyone know who was responsible for the design of the 13a plugtop?

NOT a "trick question" I was just wondering and can't be arsed to look it up cos I'm not very well atm.

 

[Knobhead]

The quality of design of the 13A plug top is well known. The only issue I think it falls down on (and which I think is tested as part of some standards) is the 'pull-out' test. If someone trips over the flex, then the plug does not pull cleanly out of the socket, but can end up partially-removed, or can even come apart depending on the force.

The European/American plugs fare better that ours in this test. But only that one I think.

Daz

They fall flat on their face for every other test.

 

[telectrix]

nah. they always fall with the pins in a position to pierce your knee.

 

[mayfair]

Anything is better than those bloody spanish s**t plugs takes me 20 mins to put one on and ive been doing it for 25 years

 

[Adam W]

Presumably this is the article.

 

[DPG]

Presumably this is the article.

Yeah the url had a smily at the end of it in the original post (as pointed ot by Ian above). Daz

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Geordie there's some info in its history here Wiring Matters 18 BS1363
At home I have a lengthy document describing the whole process blow by blow, with quotes from the people invoved. Its gestation was complicated by a number of external influences, e.g. Dorman Smith had already got their idea of a fused 13A plug underway before the committee had actually asked for designs. Clearly whoever was ahead in the game of creating a new national standard plug was likely to get some business from it.

We tend to be a bit protective about BS1363 in the UK, it's good but it's not better than every other plug in every respect.

 

[telectrix]

i don't like the part insulated pins. makes it bloody hard to trap wire ends in the socket and get a decent contact.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

But if you peel the plastic off you've got a nice slot where you can fit larger cables e.g. the thick one on the cooker