B22/BC to Flex outlet adapter legal?

[eveares]

Just spotted the below listing on eBay and it reminded me of the stories my Grandparents have told me in the past about when they used to plug appliances like vacuum cleaners and electric irons into the ceiling lamp holder via an adapter in the 50's and 60's.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/B22-to-Ca...ance-Connection-via-Lamp-Socket-/350848479627

Is the item in the above listing even legal due to the high probability it could be used in an unsafe manor? Yes you could bake B22/BC extension cables with it, but how about when one stupid person idiotically connects something like a hoover up to it?

Regards: Elliott.

 

[EFLImpudence]

He does say maximum 5A - 1200W @ 240V

A Vacuum will likely trip the MCB on start-up although Henrys are only 620W and the others are limited to 900W.

That's what the MCB and all the safety devices are for - to protect people who are doing stupid things.


Knives are legal.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Is the item in the above listing even legal due to the high probability it could be used in an unsafe manor?

Things like this could be used in an unsafe manner:

Should they be made illegal?

 

[EFLImpudence]

You can get proper ones

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Just the job if your appliance has 4mm plugs on the end of its flex

 

[Taylortwocities]

You could plug all sorts of things in, with the proper adapters

Untitled

• Taylortwocities
• 7 Apr 2009
• 4

And still have the light on!

 

[StephenOak]

@Taylortwocities,
I remember those adapters from my childhood, we used them (sometimes multiple ones dangling down in a chain from the same light fitting) to power Christmas lights. Even then (primary school age) they looked dodgy to me, they did not fit tightly and any touch on the 'chain' caused the parts to move relative to one another. With two or three strands of Christmas lights around the room we did not have a main light plugged in as well.

However I am pretty sure that I remember an iron being plugged in to this as well as the main light. This would be in a council flat with only one or two (Dorman Smith) sockets per room. So to see what was being ironed you needed to be under the main light.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Yes. If I remember, my dad used to plug his electric shaver in to an adapter like that in the bathroom (literally shock horror).

 

[ban-all-sheds]

 

[securespark]

Things like this could be used in an unsafe manner:

I suspect a fair few people carry these in an unsafe manor, like Peckham for example.

 

[securespark]

I had a BC plug attached to a 13A trailing socket so I could use Class II drills when the sockets were off.

 

[OwainDIYer]

I had a BC plug attached to a 13A trailing socket so I could use Class II drills when the sockets were off.

Class I drills would work just as well

 

[FrodoOne]

Just spotted the below listing on eBay and it reminded me of the stories my Grandparents have told me in the past about when they used to plug appliances like vacuum cleaners and electric irons into the ceiling lamp holder via an adapter in the 50's and 60's.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/B22-to-Ca...ance-Connection-via-Lamp-Socket-/350848479627

Is the item in the above listing even legal due to the high probability it could be used in an unsafe manor? Yes you could bake B22/BC extension cables with it, but how about when one stupid person idiotically connects something like a hoover up to it?

Regards: Elliott.

Interesting. (I do hope that the "manor" in which you may reside is not unsafe !)

Such devices used to be available in this country - Australia.
Therefore, I thank you that I now know where I can obtain them, if I so desire.

It somewhat reminds me of the situation concerning what are known in New Zealand as Tapon plugs and, in Australia as Piggyback plugs. (https://www.electricaldirectltd.co.nz/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1421)
While such individually connectable devices have been banned from individual sale in Australia they are still readily available for sale in New Zealand - and can easily be imported into Australia.

The "story" from Australian "authorities" is that they have been banned here because somebody put one of these at each end of a lead and electrocuted himself. However, I can find no Australian news report of any such event happening over the last 30 years or so. (You are welcome to search and to tell me if I am wrong!)

In spite of this, power leads with such a molded plug/socket on one end are readily available in Australia. (https://www.bunnings.com.au/arlec-5m-piggy-back-extension-lead_p4420180)
Of course, the female socket on the other end could be replaced by any device which one wished to use.

Whenever I need to have a Piggyback plug on the end of the power cord for any device, I simply buy one of these extension leads of appropriate length and replace the original lead with the Piggyback/Tapon plug-ended lead concerned - after the guarantee period has expired.

I also have several NZ sourced Tapon plug/sockets available for use, should I need them.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I can find no Australian news report of any such event happening over the last 30 years or so. (You are welcome to search and to tell me if I am wrong!)

I doubt that you are - I'm sure that Australia is one of the countries where politicians have nothing but contempt for the people, and routinely lie to them.