> On Sat, 7 Nov 2009 13:30:16 -0800 (PST), robgraham wrote: > > It was the lathes that concerned me most as the end of each session > > (twice a day often) the plugs are removed. I don't know what regime > > is in place to inspect the plugs, but such frequent movement could > > lead to disconnection of the any of the leads inside the plug, with > > the corresponding hazard.
> We had this at work - the sockets (MK metal-clad) occasionally failed by > falling apart internally sometimes with bang and smoke. Checking sockets > mechanically every few years might be necessary. > Another consideration is the plug: the sort that has a medial split can > fail in a dangerous way, as the operator's fingers can contact the > conductive parts if the sccrew fails, so the fully capped type is better > (the ones that need a bit cutting out to get on after wiring :-) ). > -- > Peter.
You need to replace the '13 Amp' BS1363 plugs & sockets with industrial connectors, such as the 'Commando' type, made by many manufacturers to BS EN 60309-2 (formerly BS 4343). These do vary a bit in quality, but these two manufacturers seem to offer a quality product, available in metalclad versions as well as the more common plastic:
as used by the former nationalised industries, BR, CEGB, LT etc.
BS1363 connectors were only really intended for domestic purposes, to provide sockets which could be mass-produced cheaply for the post-WW2 rebuilding programme, they do not stand up to industrial use. Even BS546 round-pin connectors are better.
Lewden do make a superior weatherproof version of the above types though, both the plugs and the sockets, look up the 'Weathertight' range on their website.
<alexander.ke...@googlemail.com> wrote: >On 8 Nov, 09:42, PeterC <giraffenos....@homecall.co.uk> wrote: >> On Sat, 7 Nov 2009 13:30:16 -0800 (PST), robgraham wrote: >> > It was the lathes that concerned me most as the end of each session >> > (twice a day often) the plugs are removed. I don't know what regime >> > is in place to inspect the plugs, but such frequent movement could >> > lead to disconnection of the any of the leads inside the plug, with >> > the corresponding hazard.
>> We had this at work - the sockets (MK metal-clad) occasionally failed by >> falling apart internally sometimes with bang and smoke. Checking sockets >> mechanically every few years might be necessary. >> Another consideration is the plug: the sort that has a medial split can >> fail in a dangerous way, as the operator's fingers can contact the >> conductive parts if the sccrew fails, so the fully capped type is better >> (the ones that need a bit cutting out to get on after wiring :-) ). >> -- >> Peter.
>You need to replace the '13 Amp' BS1363 plugs & sockets with >industrial connectors, such as the 'Commando' type, made by many >manufacturers to BS EN 60309-2 (formerly BS 4343).
And = IEC 60309 (previously 309)
>These do vary a bit >in quality, but these two manufacturers seem to offer a quality >product, available in metalclad versions as well as the more common >plastic:
>as used by the former nationalised industries, BR, CEGB, LT etc.
This post is missing what they are intended for but unless a stock of the more specialised plugs is kept it is usually better to stick to the IEC[60]309 connectors which are readily available from B+Q, Screwfix, Focus and many others thus avoiding the danger of somebody "bodging" if they actually manage to damage a plug and there is no replacement to hand.
>BS1363 connectors were only really intended for domestic purposes, to >provide sockets which could be mass-produced cheaply for the post-WW2 >rebuilding programme, they do not stand up to industrial use. Even >BS546 round-pin connectors are better.
>Lewden do make a superior weatherproof version of the above types >though, both the plugs and the sockets, look up the 'Weathertight' >range on their website.
|
