To use or not to use........
- Thread starter Bigtree
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Hi all, just having a debate here and could do with some expert input
Socket protectors? are they a good safety device or is there really no need an a modern house setup?
Absolutely no need as all BS sockets have protective shutters.
In fact, there is increased risk if the "protectors" are fitted.
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I was in IKEA the other day and noticed that they fit the brand they sell to all the store sockets. Many were bent (which would make it easier for a child to pull) but one or two were actually broken and stuck there holding the shutter open exposing one of the openings.
Personally I would NEVER use them. Best practice is to always use good quality electrical accessories to begin with. (No market stall CE extension leads!)
Personally I would NEVER use them. Best practice is to always use good quality electrical accessories to begin with. (No market stall CE extension leads!)
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To my mind any device which plugs into a socket should have the appropriate EN BS or BS marking to show it is designed and authorised to be used with the socket and to date no plug in socket devise has had the appropriate BS 1363 marked on them so they should not be used with a 13A socket.
There are devices
which stop assess to sockets without defeating the shutters already fitted and these are OK to use. However since 2008 all new sockets at 13A also need RCD protection and although a RCD will not prevent a shock a risk assessment must show with a BS 1363 socket with RCD protection the chance of electrocution is so low there is no real need for any extra devices.
There are devices
A recent IET article : “The Remarkable Evolution Of BS 1363” can be download from: http://tinyurl.com/plugsize
The article provides a brief history of UK standards for domestic plugs and sockets, and emphasizes that sockets are made to fit plugs, rather than, as many seem to think, the other way round.
It discusses some of the problems created when designers create devices (other than standard plugs) which do not conform to standard plug dimensions, but which are intended to be inserted into BS 1363 sockets.
More on the damage which socket covers can do to sockets here:
http://tinyurl.com/socketdamage
The article provides a brief history of UK standards for domestic plugs and sockets, and emphasizes that sockets are made to fit plugs, rather than, as many seem to think, the other way round.
It discusses some of the problems created when designers create devices (other than standard plugs) which do not conform to standard plug dimensions, but which are intended to be inserted into BS 1363 sockets.
More on the damage which socket covers can do to sockets here:
http://tinyurl.com/socketdamage
I'm going to be facing this dilemma soon (not that it's much of a dilemma after reading the fatallyflawed link) other than direct access with a pen etc, one of the issues seems to be kids getting hold of stuff (irons, hairdryers etc) and copying mum/dad by plugging them in.
Clearly you can try to make sure such things are kept out of reach but I wonder how many accidents are actually caused by this kind of thing and would the potentially dangerous plug in covers help to prevent more of those accidents than kids sticking pens in sockets etc?
Clearly you can try to make sure such things are kept out of reach but I wonder how many accidents are actually caused by this kind of thing and would the potentially dangerous plug in covers help to prevent more of those accidents than kids sticking pens in sockets etc?
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I see a problem where one tries to make a house super safe rather than instruct children as to what is safe for them to do. Once the child is removed from that environment then he/she is likely to injure themselves as they have not been instructed as to the dangers.
My grandchildren come into my house and twiddle with knobs which with an induction cooker is not a problem as it has child protection built in, so turning knobs does nothing. But either I may forget to activate the child protection, or they may go to my father-in-laws who has super dangerous gas cooker which has non of the safeties included.
I have been caught out with the washing machine and dish washer where they have twiddled knobs and I have not looked at settings as we rarely alter them. They have managed to unplug phone charger but never managed to plug anything in.
Biggest problem is posting things into the gas fire still a mark on glass where a crayon was posted through the grill and until it started to melt we had no idea it was in the fire. Lucky it did not burst into flames.
Back in 1990's my father-in-law pointed out I would never forgive myself if I didn't fit a RCD and one of my children were injured. There were fitted and my son did manage to trip them when he took up amateur radio as a hobby. Also tripped when things we by accident smashed.
When I think back to my own childhood yes I did get some nasty belts from electric either taking things apart or one time I stuck my fingers up the empty light socket to feel what was inside. Never did it a second time. So at around age of 5 I learnt respect for electric items the hard way.
My grandchildren come into my house and twiddle with knobs which with an induction cooker is not a problem as it has child protection built in, so turning knobs does nothing. But either I may forget to activate the child protection, or they may go to my father-in-laws who has super dangerous gas cooker which has non of the safeties included.
I have been caught out with the washing machine and dish washer where they have twiddled knobs and I have not looked at settings as we rarely alter them. They have managed to unplug phone charger but never managed to plug anything in.
Biggest problem is posting things into the gas fire still a mark on glass where a crayon was posted through the grill and until it started to melt we had no idea it was in the fire. Lucky it did not burst into flames.
Back in 1990's my father-in-law pointed out I would never forgive myself if I didn't fit a RCD and one of my children were injured. There were fitted and my son did manage to trip them when he took up amateur radio as a hobby. Also tripped when things we by accident smashed.
When I think back to my own childhood yes I did get some nasty belts from electric either taking things apart or one time I stuck my fingers up the empty light socket to feel what was inside. Never did it a second time. So at around age of 5 I learnt respect for electric items the hard way.
No.
Irons, hairdryers etc can be, and should be, kept out of children's reach. "Socket Covers" are always within reach of a child, and children are tempted by their inquisitive nature to try unplugging them and reinserting them, possibly inverted. My grandson manged to break one and put the borken part in his mouth, nearly choking in the process.
See http://www.fatallyflawed.org.uk/html/faq.html#Q11
Also, this idea has been discussed in court, see:
http://www.shocked.org.uk/
Thanks to the posters who have linked to FatallyFlawed.
You may like to know that Which?, as a result of someone there reading the recent IET article, removed their 2009 review of socket covers from the web.
You may like to know that Which?, as a result of someone there reading the recent IET article, removed their 2009 review of socket covers from the web.
It's often struck me that in most situations we go to great lengths to stop people getting access to live parts without the use of a tool.
And yet lampholders are in use in pretty much every household and have no such protection.
And yet lampholders are in use in pretty much every household and have no such protection.
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