Dodgy Ebay electrics again

[AdrianUK]

Seen quite a few of these un-fused 13A plugs over in Malaysia.

Malaysia uses the same kind of plug that we do...but they don't use ring finals. Every socket is wired as a radial on (usually) a 10A MCB.

Although still not compliant with our standards & shouldn't be used in the UK.... this bit of background may help us understand why they exist.

 

[Iggifer]

It is never going to be realistic to expect any intermediary such as eBay (or Amazon, or whoever) to 'vet' every one of the millions of items which are sold via their websites;

I disagree.

Unless, of course, what you want is to prioritise the economic interests of eBay (or Amazon, or whoever) over people's safety.

Good luck with that

 

[Spark123]

Seen quite a few of these un-fused 13A plugs over in Malaysia.

Malaysia uses the same kind of plug that we do...but they don't use ring finals. Every socket is wired as a radial on (usually) a 10A MCB.

Although still not compliant with our standards & shouldn't be used in the UK.... this bit of background may help us understand why they exist.

No, they are just counterfeit, lethal rubbish. The CE mark is being used illegally, a plug to BS1363 doesn't carry a CE mark as it isn't intended for use in the European market, only Britain. Plugs intended for use in Malaysia won't have CE on them as they are not part of the EU.
I wouldn't be surprised if the 3x0.5mm is correct too, they can be a lot smaller than what is written on them.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Good luck with that

Oh, I'm under no illusions.

 

[Speakercon]

Cables like these are the norm when buying things like psu, cctv stuff and computer products from ebay & amazon.

Just search and you'll find loads... (I actualy recived one like the below with a product from Maplin)

Worrying to think how many must be out there in use right now. This website has some info http://www.bs1363.org.uk/[/url]

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Heaven forbid we should interfere with Maplin's ability to sell what they like to whom they like by introducing penalties which could see them fined 10's of millions of pounds, and directors imprisoned for 10's of years, even though I can guarantee that that would without fail focus their minds on not selling dubious cr*p.

 

[Jackrae]

And what particular aspects are wrong with that cable/plug/free socket

 

[plugwash]

The obvious thing wrong with the cable in speakercon's picture is that the earth pin is partially insulated which is not allowed by the standard.

 

[JohnW2]

The obvious thing wrong with the cable in speakercon's picture is that the earth pin is partially insulated which is not allowed by the standard.

Indeed - but that's rather odd. It can hardly be a case of 'cutting corners' to make a cheap product, since I presume that it must have cost them more to do that than it would have done to be compliant. Other than a misunderstanding of the Standard (which would seem pretty amazing), I can't really think of a likely explanation, can you?

Kind Regards, John

 

[Jackrae]

Maybe a case of "Send three and fourpence, we're going to a dance"

 

[flameport]

It can hardly be a case of 'cutting corners' to make a cheap product, since I presume that it must have cost them more to do that than it would have done to be compliant. Other than a misunderstanding of the Standard (which would seem pretty amazing), I can't really think of a likely explanation, can you?

It will cost less, since plastic is cheaper than brass or whatever metal the pin is made of. The machining process for the pin will also be the same as for the other ones, the only difference being a longer stem which is covered with the plastic.

Another issue which does occur with many factories is them making what they consider to be helpful or cost saving modifications to a particular design, even though it is not wanted or in some instances prevents a product from working or makes it unsafe.
Happens more where the price has been negotiated down too far.

 

[JohnW2]

It will cost less, since plastic is cheaper than brass or whatever metal the pin is made of. The machining process for the pin will also be the same as for the other ones, the only difference being a longer stem which is covered with the plastic.

Possibly, if they managed to recover and recycle the waste from machining (otherwise there would obviously be no saving in metal cost, just additional cost for the plastic and the more complicated machining and assembly), but I would actually have guessed that the overall cost would have ended up greater. Maybe I'm wrong.

Kind Regards, John

 

[Iggifer]

I've found cables before with the 'shrouded' earth prong, and when cutting off the earth prong to disable it's use, found no metal between the end of the prong and the plug itself

That is undoubtedly cheaper

 

[JohnW2]

I've found cables before with the 'shrouded' earth prong, and when cutting off the earth prong to disable it's use, found no metal between the end of the prong and the plug itself. That is undoubtedly cheaper

Oh dear!

Kind Regards, John

 

[Spark123]

Then there's the counterfeit fuse and dodgy fuse holder.