2-way cube plug adaptors - non-fused?

[UseLeSsDiYr]

I can't quite get my head around these.

If non-fused adaptors are unsafe, why are they being sold?

The one I've encountered is one made by Status and sold as non-fused. However, it has 'Max 13amp 250V~' inscribed on it. What does this mean? That only a total of 13 amps should go through it? Such as an appliance with a 5amp plug and maybe another with a 3amp plug; or 2x 5amp appliances for example?

So is it safe to plug in say a combination of TWO of the following?

- indoor security camera
- doorbell ringer
- phones
- pest deterrent / repellent devices


In what instance would you go with a fused cube?


Thanks for any insights.

 

[EFLImpudence]

I can't quite get my head around these.
If non-fused adaptors are unsafe, why are they being sold?

I don't know. Is there anything else unsafe being sold?
Electricity is quite dangerous.

The one I've encountered is one made by Status and sold as non-fused. However, it has 'Max 13amp 250V~' inscribed on it. What does this mean?

Don't plug in more than 3,250 Watts of appliances (13 x 250).

That only a total of 13 amps should go through it?

Yes.

Such as an appliance with a 5amp plug and maybe another with a 3amp plug; or 2x 5amp appliances for example?

Not really anything to do with the rating of the plugs but what you connect to them.

So is it safe to plug in say a combination of TWO of the following?

- indoor security camera
- doorbell ringer
- phones
- pest deterrent / repellent devices

Yes, they are all of negligible amperage so the adaptor will be fine.

In what instance would you go with a fused cube?

When you are worried about people not knowing what they are doing.

 

[ericmark]

I have . Some comply, some don't, I have to decide where to use. Plugged into one of these

I have no real worries, as there is a fuse in the plug, and not really worried about lack of shutters, as no children in the house. I find the last one very handy to plug in my radio charger, which has a USA type plug, there are a few things one is not allowed to sell without a licence, fire arms for example, and there are rules about portable equipment being fitted with a plug.

But many things can be sold which do not comply with UK regulations for use by an ordinary person. A Ham radio, for example, I do not need to show my licence or passport, Hong Kong I did, before take over, but not the UK.

 

[plugwash]

If non-fused adaptors are unsafe, why are they being sold?

Lots of things are sold that could be unsafe if misused. There will always be a compromise between protecting idiots from themselves, and not preventing the sale of useful products.

Afaict the requirements for fusing in BS1363 have remained largely unchanged for a very long time (possibly since the standard was first written in the 1940s). Adapters from BS1363 to other socket types are required to be fused, as are triple and larger adapters, but double adapters are not. Sadly standards rarely include a rationale for their requirements.

 

[chivers67]

In what instance would you go with a fused cube?


Thanks for any insights.

I wouldn't really use a fused or unfused one, I'd rather an extension strip as it doesn't put any strain on the socket.

 

[UseLeSsDiYr]

Thanks everyone for your replies - so guess I can combine any 2 of the devices I've mentioned.

I see on the cube it states BS1363 - does this mean it's fused?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Thanks everyone for your replies - so guess I can combine any 2 of the devices I've mentioned.

Yes.

I see on the cube it states BS1363 - does this mean it's fused?

No, that's the standard for sockets, plugs and other accessories.

The fuses used are BS1362

 

[UseLeSsDiYr]

Thanks @EFLImpudence

It seems 'simple two-way adaptors might not have a fuse' according to google, hence slightly confused around BS1363.

 

[ericmark]

I think google is wrong, the whole idea of the ring final was to save cable after WWII, and it relies on plugs having a fuse in them, and the adaptor is a plug.

But there are a lot of non-compliant plugs which are not dangerous if used with care.

 

[EFLImpudence]

It seems 'simple two-way adaptors might not have a fuse' according to google,

I don't think they do.

hence slightly confused around BS1363.

I suppose it is understandable that you might think that a standard to ensure safety should include something - a fuse - that would make a product safer but apparently it does not work like that.

 

[ebee]

Socket adapters are known as "Death Cubes" they can be plugged into a twin socket to give multiple outlets ad infinitum and if overloading a spur (from a ring final circuit or a radial final circuit) then yes it can conspire to overload situations.
So yes it could help if they were all limited by an integral fuse of 13A each.
It would also help if many or all loads of up to 13A was limited in totals or avoided completely.

In practice however, not many instances of allowing such abuse actually has not caused fires etc.

 

[EFLImpudence]

has not caused?

 

[ebee]

has not caused?

Edited - Thanks

 

[JohnW2]

Socket adapters are known as "Death Cubes" they can be plugged into a twin socket to give multiple outlets ad infinitum and if overloading a spur (from a ring final circuit or a radial final circuit) then yes it can conspire to overload situations.

True if the socket concerned is a spur from a ring final. However, if it's not, then the 'potential risk' (of overload of part of the ring cable, if the socket is close to one end of the ring) is not really materially different from the situation in which there are multiple twin sockets (all 'on the ring') very close to one another, with just one plug plugged into each 'outlet'.

Kind Regards, John

 

[ebee]

Agreed - we tend to beware the potential of an overload yet do appreciate how unlikely that usually is.
It is the exception that proves the rule - If an exception is present that in itself proof that it is mere a "rule" rather than an actual "law". If it is a law then it is always true.

We live life on probabilities and decide an actual risk rate for certain things, otherwise we would never cross the road to go to the shop, and , we might not cross the road but still get run over if we stay on the pavement!

Playing Conkers is a game of risk. Remove or reduce the risk if you can but never Remove the game of Conkers! 6, 6, 19.