2 Lamps to 1 Mains Plug

[SUNRAY]

What size flex we talking? I'll try it the weekend

It'll only be a couple of 0.5 or 0.75mm² twins.

Ironically it was only a couple of weeks back I took something out of service following PAT, which was due to the damaged cable and non sleeved plug, I'll guess it's in the scrap box but that has got buried under other stuff while I'm trying to have a sort out.

 

[Jurassicspark]

Well the obvious is connecting 2 cables together in a junction box, a connector block, or into one plug, are in effect all exactly the same thing.

 

[Ragnar_AT]

„Naught conductor“ sounds like a good old dictionary translation of the German „Nullleiter“. The official term these days is „Neutrallleiter“ but most people still use the older term.

 

[securespark]

Decades ago when I was young and pretty, and appliances came without plugs fitted, Argos used to sell a plug that at the bottom had inputs for 4 mini plugs, which were included.

It was intended for small appliances like hand blenders, electric can openers, radios, electric carving knives.

 

[Risteard]

Incidentally Appendix 6 of the Code of Practice specifically warns against this.

 

[JohnW2]

Incidentally Appendix 6 of the Code of Practice specifically warns against this.

What "Code of Practice"?

Is this perhaps a comment which ought to be in the "Electrics outside of UK" forum?

 

[Risteard]

What "Code of Practice"?

Is this perhaps a comment which ought to be in the "Electrics outside of UK" forum?

Obviously the Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment. Don't be a prat.

 

[JohnW2]

Obviously the Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment.

Does that actually apply in the country you believe yourself to be in?

 

[Risteard]

Does that actually apply in the country you believe yourself to be in?

I don't merely believe myself to be in Ireland. It is an indisputable fact. You should ask for an atlas (or a globe) for Easter.

 

[RandomGrinch]

the Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment.

Ok, you're correct, I haven't looked in the appendix for a while, but this is the only mention (in the edition I have)...

As inspection and testing is now based on a risk assessed approach, it's still arguable that this isn't high risk, especially in the OPs case of two, 2 core flat cables, to low current, double insulated lamps, in a domestic setting?

Also (being pedantic), unlike in most other sections of the table, it doesn't use the terms "Should", or "Should not". i.e. it could have been "A 13A plug is designed for one cable only, there should not be two"

Or, we can try and find a 13A plug that is designed for more than one cable...

 

[plugwash]

Or, we can try and find a 13A plug that is designed for more than one cable...

I have a couple of those things, but I'm not aware of anywhere currently selling them

 

[JohnW2]

Ok, you're correct, I haven't looked in the appendix for a while, but this is the only mention (in the edition I have)...

Interesting )and I suppose not surprising), but ....

Also (being pedantic), unlike in most other sections of the table, it doesn't use the terms "Should", or "Should not". i.e. it could have been "A 13A plug is designed for one cable only, there should not be two"

... and I'm not sure it's really a pedantic point. Do we not all agree that BS1363 plugs were "designed for" one caable? However, I don't see that such a statement in any way says (or necessarily even implies) that one "should not" use it with more than one cable, does it?

Or, we can try and find a 13A plug that is designed for more than one cable...

View attachment 378173

Like plugwash, I also have some of those (or very similar), but I can find no BS1363 markings on them - so what would PAT have to say about one of them being in-service, I wonder?

 

[securespark]

PAT, and Rist, no doubt, would blow a fuse!

 

[Sureitsoff?]

I have a couple of those things, but I'm not aware of anywhere currently selling them

car boot sales are your friend for those 4 outlet plugs.......
Thats where the last two I bought came from ( still in original packaging!)

 

[Sureitsoff?]

Decades ago when I was young and pretty, and appliances came without plugs fitted, Argos used to sell a plug that at the bottom had inputs for 4 mini plugs, which were included.

It was intended for small appliances like hand blenders, electric can openers, radios, electric carving knives.

I remember them, the mini plugs had thin uninsulated pins. QED used to do them I think.